Prolotherapy Injections San Diego
Prolotherapy injections involve injecting a natural substance into the joint space which stimulates the body’s healing response and can result in the strengthening of connective tissue, growth of new tissue, and reduction in inflammation.
Conditions prolotherapy injections can help with
Prolotherapy can be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal diseases or disorders, including joint pain, arthritis, stiffness, tendinopathy and recovery from joint injury.
Prolotherapy injections available at Oasis Health and Medicine located in San Diego, are an effective and safe treatment option for those looking for improvements in pain and function resulting from chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Conditions prolotherapy can treat:
- Osteoarthritis
- Joint pain
- Tendinopathy
- Tendonitis
- Meniscal tears
- ACL/MCL injury
Benefits of prolotherapy injections
Prolotherapy has a variety of benefits and can be a treatment option for those seeking:
- Pain relief: By strengthening the connective tissue around painful joints or muscles, prolotherapy injections can help reduce inflammation and provide lasting pain relief for patients suffering from conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendinitis, or ligament sprains.
- Improved function: A key benefit of prolotherapy is the potential to restore normal joint function and stability. This can lead to improved mobility and a reduction in the need for more invasive surgical interventions.
- Enhanced healing: Prolotherapy injections promote the growth of new blood vessels and encourage the production of collagen, which is essential for tissue repair and regeneration. This process can help speed up the overall healing process and reduce recovery times.
- Minimally invasive: Unlike surgical procedures, prolotherapy injections are relatively non-invasive and carry fewer risks or complications. Patients typically experience minimal discomfort during treatment and can often resume their normal activities shortly after the procedure.
- Long-lasting results: While individual experiences may vary, many patients report lasting improvements in pain levels and joint function following prolotherapy treatments. In some cases, these benefits can be sustained for years with proper maintenance and follow-up care.
What do prolotherapy injections contain?
Prolotherapy injections typically contain a solution that is designed to stimulate the growth of new ligament or tendon tissue. The primary components of these solutions can vary, but common ingredients include:
- Dextrose (sugar): A simple sugar used as a carrier for other agents in the prolotherapy injection solution. It is believed that dextrose may help promote inflammation and tissue healing when injected into the affected area.
- Anesthetics: To minimize discomfort during treatment, prolotherapy solutions often contain local anesthetics such as lidocaine or marcaine. These drugs can help numb the injection site, making the procedure more tolerable for patients.
- Growth factors: Some prolotherapy injections may include bioactive growth factors, which are naturally occurring substances that promote tissue repair and regeneration. Examples of these growth factors include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or bone marrow concentrate (BMC).
- Collagen: In some cases, prolotherapy solutions may contain collagen particles, which can help stimulate the production of new connective tissue in and around the injured joint or muscle.
- Hyaluronic acid: This natural substance is found within the body’s joints and provides lubrication for smooth movement. In prolotherapy injections, hyaluronic acid may help promote healing by providing essential nutrients to damaged tissues.
It is important to note that the specific composition of a prolotherapy injection can vary depending on factors such as the patient’s condition and the practitioner’s preferred treatment approach. You may wish to consult with our naturopathic doctors at Oasis Health and Medicine, located in San Diego, to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs.
The prolotherapy injection stimulates the body’s natural healing response in the injected area, healing damaged tissue and forming new connective tissue fibers allowing the body to recover from your injury.
How do prolotherapy injections work?
Prolotherapy injections work by directly addressing the cause underlying joint stability. In response to the injections, the body responds as if it were injured, which results in an increase in the production of collagen, improved joint stability, and a reduction in pain.
These injections are designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing process by promoting the growth of new ligament or tendon tissue. The exact mechanism through which these injections work can vary depending on factors such as the patient’s condition, the specific prolotherapy solution used, and individual responses to treatment.
Are prolotherapy injections painful?
Prolotherapy joint injections are minorly painful as our patients typically rate the level of intensity as 3-4/10 on the pain scale.
The level of pain will also depend on the condition and the joint being treated.
The skill of the doctor administering the injection can also influence the patient’s comfort level and our doctors are highly trained in joint injections so they will be doing their best to ensure your comfort.
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and steroids are not recommended by our doctors for pain relief as they suppress the inflammatory healing process induced by the prolotherapy injections.
Number of prolotherapy injections needed
Typically 3 rounds of prolotherapy injections are required, but this varies depending on the degree of joint injury and the patient’s response to the treatment as the state of the patient’s immune system can influence the patient’s response to the treatment, the injury’s intensity and your initial reaction to the treatment.
However, some patients may require additional injections beyond this initial course to achieve their desired level of pain relief or joint stability improvement. The frequency and duration of prolotherapy treatment sessions can also vary depending on the patient’s individual needs and response to therapy. The healthcare professionals at our San Diego clinic will help determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition.
Treatments are typically spaced out every 1-2 weeks apart to allow for connective tissue remodeling to be continually happening to ensure maximum healing. The specialists at Oasis Health and Medicine will guide you throughout the entire process to ensure a safe and efficient treatment process.
After a series of 3-5 prolotherapy injections are performed, patients are encouraged to wait 2-3 months in order to gauge the full effectiveness of the treatment. At this point, you can have a discussion with your doctor to see if additional rounds of injections are needed.
Cost of prolotherapy
Unfortunately, prolotherapy injections are not covered by insurance policies.
The number of treatments needed varies from person to person so it is best to get in touch with our office if you’re interested in getting more information on pricing.
Risks associated with prolotherapy injections
Prolotherapy injections do not pose a risk for serious side effects. Some patients may experience pain at the site of injections and some minor bruising. There is a rare risk of nerve damage but overall prolotherapy does not pose a greater risk than other forms of dermal injections.
Is prolotherapy supported by research?
A study of 90 adults with osteoarthritis of the knee for at least three months, were administered prolotherapy, the control group were administered saline injections, and both groups received physical therapy. All participants were given an initial injection, which was followed by additional injections at weeks 1, 5, and 9.
Subjects who received prolotherapy injections reported greater improvements in pain, joint function, and stiffness at 52 weeks following the procedure.
Another study showed that exposing human cells to dextrose resulted in an increase in growth factor, which contributed to the repair of tendons and ligaments. The growth factors include platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor β, epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor.
Contact Oasis Health and Medicine for your prolotherapy injection today
Contact our team today at Oasis Health & Medicine, a leading naturopathic clinic in San Diego, California. Our experienced healthcare professionals specialize in providing effective treatments for various conditions using functional medicine with holistic and natural approaches.
Prolotherapy injections is an innovative treatment has helped countless patients find relief from chronic pain, stiffness, and weakness caused by ligament or tendon injuries. By stimulating the body’s natural healing process, prolotherapy can strengthen weakened joint structures and promote lasting improvements in mobility and comfort.
Don’t let joint pain hold you back any longer – contact Oasis Health & Medicine today at 858-201-3171 for a consultation, and take the first step towards reclaiming your active lifestyle – our dedicated team is committed to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness through our comprehensive range of naturopathic services.