*WHAT IS PROLOTHERAPY?*

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*WHAT IS PROLOTHERAPY?*

ALVIN STEIN, M.D.

_http://www.getprolo.com/what_is_prolotherapy.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/what_is_prolotherapy.htm)

(http://www.getprolo.com/stein_florida.htm)

 

 

Prolotherapy <_http://www.getprolo.com/introduction_to_prolotherapy1.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/introduction_to_prolotherapy1.htm) > is also known as

non-surgical ligament reconstruction, and is a permanent treatment for chronic

pain. Prolotherapy is derived from the Latin word **proli** which means to reg

enerate or rebuild.

 

It is important to understand what the word PROLOTHERAPY itself means.

**Prolo** is short for proliferation, because the treatment causes the

proliferation (growth, formation) of new ligament

_http://www.getprolo.com/seven_nos_of_ligament_injury.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/seven_nos_of_ligament_injury.htm)

tissue in areas where it has become weak.

 

Ligaments

_http://www.getprolo.com/why_ligaments_do_not_heal_on_their_own.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/why_ligaments_do_not_heal_on_their_own.htm)

are the structural **rubber bands** that hold bones to bones in joints -

acting like the body's shock absorbers. Ligaments can become weak or injured

and

may not heal back to their original strength or endurance. Ligaments also

will not tighten on their own to their original length once injured. This is

largely because the blood supply to ligaments is limited, and therefore healing

is slow and not always complete. To further complicate this, ligaments also

have many nerve endings and therefore the person will feel pain at the areas

where the ligaments are damaged or loose.

 

Prolotherapy uses a sugar-based solution that is injected into the ligament

or tendon where it attaches to the bone. This causes a localized Inflammation

<_http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_and_inflammation.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_and_inflammation.htm) > in these weak

areas, which then

increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients and stimulates the tissue to

repair itself, strengthening and tightening and thereby stabilizing the

area.

 

The response to treatment varies from individual to individual, and depends

upon one*s healing ability. Some people may only need a few treatments while

others may need 30 or more. The best thing to do is get an evaluation by a

trained physician in your area. Once you begin treatment, your doctor can tell

better how you are responding and give you an accurate estimate.

 

 

*List of Conditions that can be treated using Prolotherapy*

 

 

Chronic Pain resulting from injuries to the ligaments and tendons of the

appendicular skeleton has been well recognized. However, soft-tissue injuries

to

the ligaments, tendons and fascia of the lower back have been largely

ignored as a potential source of chronic back

pain<_http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_and_back_pain1.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_and_back_pain1.htm) >. Prolotherapy, is a

collagen<_http://www.getprolo.com/collagen_and_prolotherapy.htm>-strengthening_

(http://www.getprolo.com/collagen_and_prolotherapy.htm>-strengthening)

injection technique that targets the soft tissues of

the lower back.

 

 

The treatment is excellent for many different types of musculoskeletal pain,

including:

 

Arthritis

Back pain

Neck pain <_http://www.getprolo.com/neck_pain_study.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/neck_pain_study.htm) >

Fibromyalgia

Sports injuries

Unresolved whiplash <_http://www.getprolo.com/whiplash.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/whiplash.htm) >

Carpal Tunnel syndrome

Torn Tendons, Ligaments and cartilage

Degenerated or Herniated discs

TMJ <_http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_tmj.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_tmj.htm) >

Sciatica

Barre-Lieou

syndrome<_http://www.getprolo.com/barre_lieou_syndrome_prolotherapy.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/barre_lieou_syndrome_prolotherapy.htm) >

Cluster headaches <_http://www.getprolo.com/headaches.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/headaches.htm) >

Deep Aching

degenerative disc

disease<_http://www.getprolo.com/degenerative_disc_disease.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/degenerative_disc_disease.htm) >

Disc Herniation

Heel

Spurs<_http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_for_chronic_plantar_fasciitis.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_for_chronic_plantar_fasciitis.htm) >

Knee Injuries

Migraine Headaches

Multiple Sclerosis

Muscular Dystrophy

Osteoporosis

Polio

Rotator Cuff Tears

Tennis Elbow

 

 

*How was Prolotherapy Developed?*

 

 

Historical review shows that a version of this technique was first used by

Hippocrates on soldiers with dislocated, torn shoulder joints. He would stick

a hot poker into the front of the joint, and it would then miraculously heal

normally. Of course, we don*t use hot pokers today, but the principle is

essentially the same - get the body to repair itself, an innate ability that

the

body has.

 

The injection of sclerosing agents first began in the 1830*s, when potent

chemical irritants were used to treat hernias non-surgically. Prolotherapy in

its most current form has been used for over 40 years and is currently used at

5 University centers.

 

 

*How it Works*

 

 

Prolotherapy uses sugar based solutions

_http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_solutions.htm_

(http://www.getprolo.com/prolotherapy_solutions.htm) ,

which are injected into the ligament or tendon where it attaches to the

bone. This causes a localized inflammation in these weak areas, which then

increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients and stimulates the tissue to

repair itself.

 

The area where the ligament attaches to the bone or other structures is

injected with a proliferant. Normally 15% dextrose

_http://www.getprolo.com/contraindications_and_prolotherapy.htm _

(http://www.getprolo.com/contraindications_and_prolotherapy.htm )

(sugar) mixed with Lidocaine, a local anesthetic. The proliferant solution

causes a local reaction or inflammation. The body reacts by laying down

collagen that in turn becomes new ligament or tendon tissue. We apply local

anesthetics to numb the area to reduce the discomfort of the procedure. The

patient

may be a little sore for a day or so, but this usually goes away. The

injection process is repeated every 2-3 weeks. Patients should not expect

results

for about 6 weeks. After that the patient will notice the pain level

diminishing. The good thing about prolotherapy is that the results are more of

a

permanent nature. You may need a **booster** injection every year or so after

the

initial series. If prolotherapy is administered correctly by a trained medical

practitioner and the patient is chosen well, there is a 75% chance for the

chronic pain sufferer to becoming pain free and for most people to have

significantly less pain.

 

 

© Alvin Stein, M.D.

 

(http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm)

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I discovered that badly damaged ligaments will heal themselves given

very large amounts of nutrients and proper exercise.

 

MSM helps fill the first bill.