Q & A about Prolotherapy
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What
is Prolotherapy?
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Prolotherapy
is an injection treatment designed to stimulate healing
of chronic ligament and tendon weakness. The painful weakened
areas are injected with a proliferate, which is a solution
that directly stimulates the growth of healthy, strong tissues.
The healing process can be expected to take about four to
six weeks after the initial treatment. As the tendons and
ligaments grow stronger and more capable of doing their
tasks, the pain is alleviated.
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Is
Prolotherapy a new procedure?
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Prolotherapy
is done effectively to thousands of patients routinely to
help chronic pain. George S Hackett, MD developed the technique
in its current form in 1939, but treatments to promote normal
healing of injuries and wounds date back to the days of
Hippocrates.
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Is
Prolotherapy safe?
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Prolotherapy
is an extremely safe procedure. The risks are far less than
taking aspirin or Motrin for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate
chronic pain. There is, of course, at least a slight risk
involved in any medical/surgical procedure. In Prolotherapy,
the risks and side effects will vary depending on the area
being treated and the doctor will discuss these possibilities
fully with the patient during pre-treatment consultation.
The solution
injected includes a combination of anesthetic and Dextrose
or sugar water. The anesthetic agent effects the "trigger"
of the pain cycle and the Dextrose strengthens the "weld"
of ligaments and tendons to bone.
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Will
this treatment work for neck, shoulder, back and pelvic
pain?
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Weakness or
injury to the tendons and ligaments which support the spine
and pelvis can be effectively treated by Prolotherapy. The
radiating or "referred" pain from these support structures
can also improve.
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What
about headaches, chronic tendonitis, and knee pain?
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Headaches
caused by tendon or ligament weakness from injuries to the
neck can be effectively treated with Prolotherapy. Chronic
or recurrent knee pain and tendonitis can be effectively
treated with Prolotherapy to strengthen the weld of the
tendon and ligament attachments to bone.
American Association
of Orthopaedic Medicine Position Statement Prolotherapy for
the Treatment of Back Pain |
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