What Is Prolotherapy & How Does It Work?

Over the years the connective tissues in our bodies, such as tendons and ligaments, begin to weaken and break down.  Prolotherapy has been developed as a system that helps to trigger the body’s natural healing ability to build new cells and tissue to repair damage and strengthen these connective tissues.

The injectable solution used in prolotherapy is a natural irritant that stimulates the body’s healing functions.  This can be compared to how receiving a vaccine helps your body to generate new antibodies to fight off viruses, such as the common flu.  In both vaccination and prolotherapy, the body is given tools that it needs in order to strengthen its own ability to heal.

Prolotherapy typically uses a solution based on sugar – hyperosmolar dextrose, to be exact.  However there are several other agents that are often used as well, including glycerine, lidocaine, phenol, and cod liver oil extract.  Injections are usually administered every 2-6 weeks for as many as 6 treatments, but a prolotherapy course can be completed in as little as 3 treatments in some cases.

What Is Prolotherapy Used To Treat?

Prolotherapy is used to treat a variety of chronic pain and conditions related to connective tissues, such as:

•    Osteoarthritis
•    Knee Pain
•    Hip Pain
•    Elbow Pain
•    Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Problems
•    Ankle Pain
•    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
•    Many Other Joint, Ligament, & Tendon Conditions

Research also continues on other conditions where prolotherapy might be an effective treatment, including lower back pain, neck strain, and fibromyalgia.

Phoenix, Arizona’s Source For Prolotherapy

Advanced prolotherapy treatment is available to the public in the Phoenix area from Scottsdale Restorative Medicine.  Contact us today to set up an evaluation, and see if our advanced prolotherapy techniques can help you heal more quickly, find relief from chronic pain, and get you back to living a more active lifestyle.