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HOW
PROLOTHERAPY WORKS
Mark
Wheaton, M.D.
Prolotherapy works on a very simple principle: injecting the
prolotherapy solution at the sites of pain and weakness stimulates the
body's own healing mechanism to repair and rebuild injured tissue into a
stronger, more supportive, less painful tissue than it was before.
When
injuries to the connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles)
occur, the normal healing process may be incomplete, usually due to
lack of proper treatment. This incomplete healing process is
revealed under microscope by a deficiency of connective tissue cells
called fibroblasts. The lack of fibroblasts leads to loose ligaments and
weakened tissues. As a result, the normal supportive function of the
ligaments which was present prior to injury is lost. Joint stability is
therefore reduced.
Small
pain fibers in these damaged ligaments transmit pain impulses to the
brain when stretched. Through a subconscious reflex, the surrounding
muscles go into a tight and painful spasm in an attempt to stabilize the
joint. This causes the region to feel tight, stiff, achy, burning,
tingling, numb, fatigued, and painful. The individual will often notice
painful knots in the affected muscles. These muscles become tight and
painful as they try to compensate for the weak and damaged underlying
tissue structures. The muscle spasms reduce blood flow, causing even
more pain. Not only are these symptoms local, but they are often
referred (transmitted) through nerve pathways into the legs and feet,
arms and hands, and head (headaches). In other words, pain felt in the
head, arms, or legs may be due to instability in the neck or back.
For
example, weakness or injury to the ligaments in the neck may interfere
with the sympathetic (automatic) nervous system, causing a group of
symptoms called BarrŽ-Lieou Syndrome. This syndrome consists of one or
more of the following: dizziness, visual blurring, loss of balance,
ringing in the ears, runny nose, salivation, trouble swallowing, hoarse
voice, nausea, vomiting, nervousness and headaches. These symptoms are
caused by instability in the neck and can be eliminated by prolotherapy.
Medications
and other forms of passive treatment such as ultrasound, ice, heat,
massage, acupuncture and manipulation may give minimal lasting benefits
because the primary problem is not being addressed - the loose and
injured ligaments. Stretching and strengthening exercises usually can
provide some relief from chronic pain, but this is often only temporary.
When these exercises have failed to increase the support sufficiently to
diminish pain and improve function, the chronic pain cycle ensues.
Prolotherapy should be initiated as soon as possible, before the problem
becomes wide-spread.
Introduction to Prolotherapy
Why Get Prolotherapy? Donna Alderman, D.O.
What is Prolotherapy?
Alvin
Stein, M.D.
Introduction to Prolotherapy
Ross
Hauser, M.D.
How
Safe Is Prolotherapy? Ross
Hauser, M.D.
The
Importance of an Experienced Prolotherapist Ross
Hauser, M.D.
Non-Surgical
Tendon, Ligament and Joint Reconstruction William J. Faber, D.O.
How Does Prolotherapy Work? Marc
Darrow, M.D.
When Prolotherapy May Not Work David Harris, M.D.
Twenty
Common Questions About Prolotherapy
David
Harris, M.D.
The History of Prolotherapy Ross
Hauser, M.D.
Curing Chronic Pain with Prolotherapy Scott
Greenberg, M.D.
Why So Many Turn To Prolotherapy
David Harris, M.D.
Prolotherapy
and Chronic Pain Ross Hauser, M.D.
Peripheral Joints
& Prolotherapy
Jay W. Nielsen, M.D.
Orthopedic Medicine: A
Non-Surgical Approach to Chronic Pain Lawrence
Cohen, M.D.
The Difference
Between Prolotherapy, Trigger Points, and Acupuncture Marc Darrow,
M.D.J.D.
Prolotherapy: Creating
Inflammation in an Area that is Already Inflamed Marc Darrow,
M.D.J.D.
Growth Factor Basis of
Prolotherapy
David Harris, M.D.
What
Does It Take To Heal Connective Tissue?
Dave
Harris, M.D.
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