Prolotherapy

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Webster’s New International Dictionary describes prolotherapy as "The rehabilitation of and incompetent structures such as a ligament or a tendon, by the induced proliferation of new cells." A ligament is a band of fibrous tissue that holds bones together. Just like a rubberband, a ligament can become "overstretched." The resulting laxity can cause severe pain as bones rub together or muscles are over-worked as they tighten in an attempt to stabilize the bones. Prolotherapy is a treatment where a proliferate solution of natural substances, such as growth factors or growth factor stimulators, is injected directly into the site where the weakened ligament attaches to the bone. These injections trigger the body’s own immune system to grow new and healthy tissue which then properly stabilizes the bones and joints, relieving musculoskeletal pain and stiffness.

ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:

Prolotherapy is one of the treatments of choice for chronic pain. A study by Reeves and Hassanein in 2000, found that prolotherapy significantly improved the symptoms and pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. The technique is also beneficial to people suffering from back pain.

SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Prolotherapy usually causes some discomfort at the injection site that may last between a few minutes and several days, however this discomfort is seldom severe. Some patients have reported severe headaches after receiving prolotherapy to treat back pain.