Prolotherapy

What is prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a type of regenerative medical treatment that stimulates the formation of fibrous connective tissue. This innovative therapy specifically targets weakened areas at the site of your injury and produces new tissue, which stabilizes the joint and reduces pain.

Unlike stem cell therapy or platelet-rich plasma injections, both of which use substances extracted from your body to trigger healing, prolotherapy uses a mild irritant as a stimulant.

How does prolotherapy work?

Prolotherapy injections can contain a variety of ingredients, such as sugar or saline. When introduced to the injured area of your body, they cause a mild inflammatory response, which prompts your body to begin repairing itself.

As new ligaments and tendon fibers grow, your pain decreases, and your injured joints stabilize.

Dr. Spiegel uses this type of regenerative medicine to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions associated with your ligaments, tendons, and joints.

What conditions does prolotherapy treat?

Prolotherapy can effectively treat several conditions throughout your entire body, including your back, neck, ankles, knees, wrists, hands, and shoulders. At Osteopathic Center for Healing, Dr. Spiegel recommends prolotherapy specifically for:

• Sprains
• Whiplash
• Tennis elbow
• Osteoarthritis
• Chronic tendonitis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet syndrome (back and neck arthritis)

The number of prolotherapy treatments that you need varies depending on the extent of your injury as well as its location.

What can I expect during my appointment?

During prolotherapy treatment, Dr. Spiegel uses ultrasound guidance to administer a dextrose injection directly to your damaged connective tissue.

Following the injection, you may experience mild pain, swelling, or stiffness as the dextrose causes inflammation to trigger your body’s natural healing response. Dr. Spiegel can recommend pain relievers to ease your discomfort during this time, but avoid anti-inflammatories because they suppress the desired inflammation of prolotherapy.

Over the next few weeks, your swelling and pain fade as your body begins to heal itself. To achieve maximum results, Dr. Spiegel might recommend regular treatments every three to six weeks.

Call Osteopathic Center for Healing or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about prolotherapy and how it can treat your tendon or ligament damage.