What is prolotherapy:
It is a regenerative injection therapy that functions to stimulate the repair of injured tendons, ligaments, and joints. The word “prolo” refers to the “proliferative” effect of this therapy on injured tissue.
What are ligaments:
Ligaments are the strong fibrous tissues that connect and hold bones to other bones. These tissues can be sprained or stretched due to motion and injury. Once injured they become stretched, unstable and weak leading to pain and discomfort. Ligaments also contain a lot of nerve endings, therefore the person will feel the most pain at the site of ligament injury.
What are tendons:
Tendons are the strong tissues that connect muscle to bone. When these are injured or strained, they lead to pain and discomfort. Just like ligaments, once injured, tendons also become unstable and weak leading to poor motor patterns, pain and discomfort.
Why do we use prolotherapy:
Tendons and ligaments have a limited blood supply, this means that healing often takes much longer than anticipated. The blood supply is crucial to deliver the nutrients and building blocks needed to regenerate and heal our tissues. The poor speed of healing and recovery from decreased blood supply is why an injured joint tends to turn into a chronically injured joint. We feel it as pain, instability and weakness in the joints.
How does prolotherapy work:
It is a targeted injection of dextrose and procaine solution that’s delivered to the injured tissue. Once there, a focused and controlled inflammatory response is generated. Through this reaction, the wound healing cascade is initiated to promote the growth of new tissue, fibroblasts and collagen. Once new collagen is formed, the existing tissue is then strengthened to gain improved stability to the affected area. This ultimately serves to improve and restore function while reducing pain.
Where in my body does prolotherapy work:
Who can benefit from prolotherapy:
What outcomes should I expect with prolotherapy:
How many treatments should I need:
How do I maximize my outcomes from prolotherapy:
It is a regenerative injection therapy that functions to stimulate the repair of injured tendons, ligaments, and joints. The word “prolo” refers to the “proliferative” effect of this therapy on injured tissue.
What are ligaments:
Ligaments are the strong fibrous tissues that connect and hold bones to other bones. These tissues can be sprained or stretched due to motion and injury. Once injured they become stretched, unstable and weak leading to pain and discomfort. Ligaments also contain a lot of nerve endings, therefore the person will feel the most pain at the site of ligament injury.
What are tendons:
Tendons are the strong tissues that connect muscle to bone. When these are injured or strained, they lead to pain and discomfort. Just like ligaments, once injured, tendons also become unstable and weak leading to poor motor patterns, pain and discomfort.
Why do we use prolotherapy:
Tendons and ligaments have a limited blood supply, this means that healing often takes much longer than anticipated. The blood supply is crucial to deliver the nutrients and building blocks needed to regenerate and heal our tissues. The poor speed of healing and recovery from decreased blood supply is why an injured joint tends to turn into a chronically injured joint. We feel it as pain, instability and weakness in the joints.
How does prolotherapy work:
It is a targeted injection of dextrose and procaine solution that’s delivered to the injured tissue. Once there, a focused and controlled inflammatory response is generated. Through this reaction, the wound healing cascade is initiated to promote the growth of new tissue, fibroblasts and collagen. Once new collagen is formed, the existing tissue is then strengthened to gain improved stability to the affected area. This ultimately serves to improve and restore function while reducing pain.
Where in my body does prolotherapy work:
- Anywhere in the body that you have tendons and/or ligaments.
- Shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, wrists, hands, feet.
Who can benefit from prolotherapy:
- Anyone with joint pain
- Sports injuries
- Yoga overstretching injuries
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dislocations
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica
- Post Injury/Trauma Pain
- Myofascial conditions
- Loose Joints
- Post fracture treatment
- Knee pain
- Ankle pain
- Foot pain
- Wrist pain
- Elbow pain
- Shoulder pain
- Frozen shoulders
- Labral Tears
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
What outcomes should I expect with prolotherapy:
- Decreased pain
- Improved stability
- Increased range of motion
How many treatments should I need:
- Some may require only one treatment as improvement is often felt within the first few days.
- On average most people need 1-6 treatments based on the severity of injury, location of injury and your body's ability to heal.
How do I maximize my outcomes from prolotherapy:
- Keep moving. Keep your physical activity to the level of comfort that doesn’t cause too much pain.
- Lots of hydration to keep joints lubricated.
- Eating as clean as possible to keep your body well fuelled to recover faster.