If you have heard about stem cell treatment and PRP therapy for treating pain and injuries, chances are high that you know about prolotherapy. In simple words, prolotherapy is a kind of treatment, where a natural irritant is used in an injection into the soft tissue to trigger healing at the injured part of the body. There are many clinics that offer prolotherapy in Houston, and it is considered to be an extremely safe treatment. Don’t get confused with other names, but prolotherapy is called “regenerative joint injection” too.

When is prolotherapy used?

The use of prolotherapy is more common for the treatment of injured joints/ligaments. It is often used for treating pain related to the back, hips, knees, shoulders, and other ligaments. Prolotherapy is also considered for treating pain related to arthritis and other chronic conditions. While there has been some debate around the effectiveness of the treatment, medical experts and doctors believe that it could be the answer for treating back and joint pain.

How does it work?

For prolotherapy, a special irritant, which usually contains dextrose, is injected at the site of injury or pain to induce and accelerate the healing process. The body will start to repair the ligaments because of the irritant, and that may help in stabilizing the joint. The pain will reduce considerably once the healing response is triggered. Most patients at least a few sessions of prolotherapy to get the best benefits, and the treatment time can be anywhere between three to six months, depending on the number of shots required. The treatment of prolotherapy has to be very precise, because the injection must be given to the exact area, and therefore, we recommend that you select a clinic that you can rely on.

Other things to know

Your doctor is the best person to decide if prolotherapy is the right treatment for you. While it has helped patients with some chronic conditions, it may not work for everyone, and further assessment and diagnostic tests are required. Your doctor will also ask to stop all kinds of anti-inflammatory medication before the treatment, and on the day of the treatment, you will be asked to take a meal that’s rich in protein. A numbing cream can be used at the injection site, and it is possible to consider other means of sedation.

Talk to a good clinic to know whether prolotherapy can work for your pain or injury.