If you have never heard of prolotherapy, you are not alone. The vast majority of people I talk to have never even heard the word prolotherapy before, let alone know what it is or how it can help them.
"Why have I never heard of this before?" One of my patients asked me.
"Why isn't this more mainstream?" Asked another one.
"Why wouldn't my family doctor recommend this to me?" Is yet another question I commonly get.
The truth is, prolotherapy is not new. It's been around since the 1930's. It has had a few iterations - all working in a similar fashion.
What Prolotherapy Is
Prolotherapy is an injection therapy used to treat chronic and acute pain and injuries. The goal of which is to "proliferate" new tissue. The root of the word prolotherapy is "prolo" which stands for proliferation. The ultimate goal of prolotherapy is to regenerate tissue that has been damaged or compromised in some way, ultimately reducing pain and restoring function.
The end result of a series of prolotherapy treatments is improved muscle and joint function, and DECREASED PAIN so you can live an active life and perform at your absolute best.
How Prolotherapy Works
Prolotherapy has many mechanisms of action, but the three main ways it works are:
Number 1: Immune system stimulation
Prolotherapy creates a signal for your immune cells to go to the area that is being injected and initiate a healing response. This increases fibroblasts and chondrocytic activity, the cells that rebuild and repair damaged tissue. The signalling of the immune system is what starts the cascade of regenerating new connective tissue (cartilage, tendons, ligaments).
Number 2: Needle technique
The second way that prolotherapy works is by the actual needle. When we needle into the area that needs to be regenerated, we are purposefully causing microtrauma and bleeding. And we like bleeding, we need blood to flow to areas that are damage. Blood brings lots of good things with it - all the things that are required to repair and regenerate damaged tissue. The needle also breaks up knotted collagen and frees up nerves. This is why the skill of the practitioner is very critical to the success of prolotherapy treatments. Stay tuned for future posts on what to look for when choosing a practitioner to receive prolotherapy treatments from.
Number 3: The Substance in the Syringe.
The third way that prolotherapy works to eliminate joint pain is via the capsaicin receptor (TrpV1 receptor, located on nerves): dextrose binds to this receptor and decreases neuroinflammation.
Effectiveness compared to Traditional treatments like Surgery or Drugs:
Surgery should always be a last resort when it comes to treating joint pain or injuries. It is invasive, high risk, taxing on healthcare systems, and requires a very extensive recovery period, often involving lost work hours and muscle and bone building opportunities.
Drugs come with a whole host of problems and do not solve the root of the issue. They are bandaid solutions, and if you are like me and my patients, you want to get to the root of the issue and solve the problem, as well as the symptoms.
The reason we have joint pain is multifactorial, which is why working with a functional medicine or naturopathic doctor is recommended when receiving prolotherapy. These doctors are highly trained in metabolic health - a factor frequently overlooked when it comes to solving joint pain and degeneration.
Sometimes, the root of the issue is merely structural. For example, you rolled your ankle and stretched or tore your anterior tibiofibular ligament (ATFL). Other than this injury, you are metabolically healthy. Prolotherapy would be targeting the root cause of the issue (the ligament injury), by regenerating, strengthening and tightening the damaged and stretched ligament.
Other times, the root of the issue has a metabolic background. For example, you've gradually developed osteoarthritis in your knees because you have had blood sugar disregulation for many, many years. Prolotherapy would be one solution to solving the root of this issue, but in order to get to the deepest root, we would need to help you regulate your blood sugar as well.
If you have more questions about prolotherapy, drop them in the comments section below! Or, you are always welcome to book a free 10-minute phone consult to discuss your case and see if prolotherpy is a good option for your joint pain.