Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy (pronunciation: pro-lo-therapy, from the Greek proli, meaning to proliferate), also known as Regenerative Injection Therapy or Proliferative Therapy, is a treatment method in medicine that stimulates the body's healing processes to strengthen and repair injured and painful joints and connective tissue. It is based on the understanding that chronic pain often occurs when joints and connective tissues are weakened or damaged.
History
The concept of Prolotherapy originated in the 1930s with Dr. Earl Gedney, an osteopathic surgeon who discovered that irritating the periosteum (the tissue that covers the bone) led to the proliferation of new, healthy tissue.
Procedure
In Prolotherapy, a solution, often containing dextrose, is injected into the affected ligaments, tendons, or joint capsules. This solution causes a localized inflammation, which triggers a wound healing cascade, resulting in the deposition of new collagen, the material that ligaments and tendons are made of.
Applications
Prolotherapy is used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic back pain, osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, and knee pain. It is also used in the treatment of sports injuries and to promote post-surgical healing.
Effectiveness
While some studies have shown positive results, the effectiveness of Prolotherapy is still a topic of ongoing research. It is generally considered safe, with the most common side effect being temporary pain and swelling at the injection site.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Prolotherapy
- Wikipedia's article - Prolotherapy
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