What is prolotherapy treatment
for chronic back pain?
How prolotherapy for chronic back pain works
In prolotherapy treatment, often used for chronic
back pain, a substance is injected using a slender
needle next to the site where soft tissue (ligament,
tendon, muscle, fascia, joint capsule) is injured
or has torn away from the bone.
The substance used in the prolotherapy injection
is a natural irritant agent. Examples include:
During prolotherapy treatments for chronic back
pain or other disorders, the agent is typically
used with a local anesthetic (lidocaine, procaine
or marcaine).
Prolotherapy involves a series of injections,
reportedly ranging from 3 to 30 (average 4 to
10), depending on the back condition and the
individual being treated. The prolotherapy injection
series may cover 3 to 6 months with injections
at 2 to 3 week intervals.
Preparing for prolotherapy
Most reports suggest physicians recommending
prolotherapy provide substantial counseling for
their patients to prepare them for both the procedure
and the side effects.
Recovery after having prolotherapy
To counteract the painful, swollen injection
site experienced by most patients for 2-3 days
following the procedure, physicians may recommend:
-
Take acetaminophen or hydrocodone bitartrate
plus acetaminophen for pain, but not aspirin
or anti-inflammatory medications which would
inhibit the healing response
-
Apply ice to the area 3-5 times a day for
20 minutes each as needed
-
Do moderate exercise such as walking but
avoid strenuous exercise or work with heavy
lifting
- Follow-up the prolotherapy injections with
a good physical therapy program
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