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WHEN
PROLOTHERAPY DOES NOT WORK
DAVID
HARRIS, M.D.
Prolotherapy is effective in
markedly reducing or curing musculoskeletal pain 80-90% of the time. Many
end-stage medical problems are worth a trial of prolotherapy, especially if the
only alternative is a destructive or permanent alteration of a joint, such as a
surgical fusion or the destruction of a nerve. The greater the anatomical
injury, the more difficult it is resolving the problem.
There are several reasons why Prolotherapy
may not resolve a problem:
1) Not enough treatments were
attempted.
Usually a positive response is seen in 2-3 treatments, but may take 4-6 or more.
2) The solution used was not
strong enough.
Typically, a mild solution is used first, and if the response is insufficient, a
stronger solution is used after 2-3 treatments.
3) The points treated were not
the source of the pain.
Usually, it is fairly clear on examination from where the pain originates,
but some structures are not easily provoked with a finger or thumb because of
the depth. In such a case, the referral pattern helps to locate the injured
structure, but the patterns often overlap. A thorough reassessment every visit
or two is needed to ensure that the correct points are being treated.
4) The patient is taking
anti-inflammatory medication.
Such medicine inhibits a complete response. The only such medicine which we
accept is a low-dose Aspirin to prevent cardiac (heart attack, angina) or
neurological (stroke) problems. Progress may be made despite these medicines but
is likely to be delayed and reduced.
5) The patient has an underlying
healing deficiency.
This may be from an immune system dysfunction, rheumatoid illness, chronic
infection, nutritional deficit, or hormonal deficiency. The common issues are
hypothyroid, testosterone deficiency, estrogen or progesterone deficiency,
adrenal insufficiency, bowel infection with yeast, among others. These same
conditions appear to underlie Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. Further investigation is warranted after 4-6 treatments if the
response is poor.
(c) David
Harris, M.D.
The opinions expressed
here does not necessarily reflect the views of the other member physicians of
getprolo.com.
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