Prolotherapy is likely a good option for you if you have acute, chronic or recurrent pain not relieved with rest, exercises, or physical therapy. Prolotherapy is effective for pain associated with joints, spine, neck, back, shoulder, knee, elbow, wrist, ankle, foot, hip, sciatica, arthritis, sports injuries, bursitis, tendonitis, headaches, TMJ disorder, fibromyalgia, and soft tissue laxity.
Forms of prolotherapy have been around for hundreds of years. In the 1950's Drs. George Hackett and Gus Hemwall routinely performed prolotherapy with what is today/s most common and tested solution mixture of dextrose, lidocaine and normal saline.
Former US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, called by President Reagan was a prolotherapist. He stated, "I was so impressed with what prolotherapy could do for musculoskeletal disease... I continue to see many people who have benefited from prolotherapy as a treatment for ligament laxity... In my own case, I had been diagnosed by two separate neurological clinics as having intractable pain. My symptoms and the lack of sleep were affecting my work. I obtained complete relief from prolotherapy... I saw remarkable benefits... Certainly, if used properly, prolotherapy dosed no harm but can be of extraordinary benefit. I have changed many lives." - quoted from the Prolotherapy Institute
Prolotherapy is effective in healing pain, not just covering it up. Long-term studies of steroid injections have demonstrated an increased risk of weakening tissue. Studies of prolotherapy have favorable short and long-term outcomes. A double-blind study for knee pain with osteoarthritis demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life.
The most commonly used medicines include dextrose (sugar water), platelet-rich plasma mannitol, glycerin, lidocaine (short acting numbing medicine), and normal saline
Ligaments are tough bands of tissue connecting bone to bone and providing constant structural support. They are found along all joints and along the spine of your back. Tendons are tough bands of tissue that attach muscles to bone. Weakened tendons and ligaments may irritate surrounding nerve fibers which notify the brain to recruit muscles to compensate by tightening. The area may feel tight, achy, numb, fatigue, weak, sore, or painful.
Bones and muscles have a rich blood supply allowing for necessary healing factors to enter and repair. This is why broken bones and torn muscles heal well. Unfortunately, ligaments and tendons have a poor blood supply, limiting the transport of necessary repair factors. By stimulating these weakened areas, the body is able to locally stimulate the proper response for repair and restrengthening. Dr. Nourani is well trained and also teaches internationally on proper diagnosis and treatment.
To identify your individualized treatment plan, Dr. Nourani utilizes the combination of the mechanism of injury, clinical structural exam, orthopedic tests, soft tissue and joint evaluations, and in-office ultrasound evaluation. Additional imaging and tests are ordered when needed.