What is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is a recognized regenerative, non-surgical procedure that stimulates the body’s healing processes to strengthen and repair injured and painful joints and connective tissue. It is based on the fact that when ligaments or tendons (connective tissue) are stretched or torn, the joint they are holding destabilizes and can become painful. Prolotherapy, with its unique ability to directly address the cause of the instability, can repair the weakened sites and produce new collagen tissue, resulting in permanent stabilization of the joint. Once the joint is stabilized, pain usually resolves. Traditional approaches with surgery have more risk and may fail to stabilize the joint and relieve pain, and anti-inflammatory or other pain relievers only act temporarily.
How Does it Work?
Prolotherapy works by stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms to lay down new tissue in the weakened area. This is done by a very directed injection to the injury site, “tricking” the body to repair again. The mild inflammatory response which is created by the injection encourages growth of new, normal ligament or tendon fibers, resulting in a tightening of the weakened structure. Additional treatments repeat this process, allowing a gradual buildup of tissue to restore the original strength to the area.
Types of Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy injections contain natural substances that stimulate the healing response, as well as local anesthetic agents to help with the pain of the injection. Three different natural substances can be used. Traditional formulas include ingredients such as dextrose, saline, sarapin and procaine or lidocaine. We also have extensive experience using stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow or adipose tissue and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).
Common Treatment Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend 3-6 treatments depending on the severity
If necessary, we use ultrasound-guided injections or fluoroscopy. This allows us to be more accurate with our injections, resulting in better outcomes.
We encourage epsom salt baths, cold packs, movement, over the counter acetaminophen, and prescribed medication as needed.
Practitioners began to use prolotherapy as a treatment option as early as the 1930’s. Dr. McBride has received advanced training, both nationally and internationally, and has successfully treated patients with prolotherapy for almost 20 years.