Prolotherapy is one of the alternative treatments for joint and muscle pain. Prolotherapy is an injection therapy, and the injected solution consists of a natural sugar or salty water substance. The body senses this solution as harmful and sends cells which start the natural healing process to the injection area. This allows the damaged joint or muscle tissue to repair and regenerate itself.
In Which Diseases is Prolotherapy Applied?
Prolotherapy injections can be used for:
- Degeneration (Osteoarthritis),
- Chronic low back pain,
- Tendon injury and
- Sports injuries.
You can consult a physical therapy and rehabilitation physician, orthopedic physician or sports medicine physician for prolotherapy. Your doctor will evaluate your potential for recovery with medication, exercise and physical therapy before applying prolotherapy and may prefer one of these treatment methods. Prolotherapy injections are generally preferred when conventional methods do not produce results. People who have:
- Cellulite
- Septic arthritis
- Abscess,
- Fractures and
- Gout arthritis are not suitable for prolotherapy.
What are the Side Effects of Prolotherapy?
Researches show that prolotherapy is a safe treatment method. Mild side effects that can be seen in prolotherapy application are:
- Mild pain in the injection area
- Bleeding at the injection area
- Mild numbness
In addition, although there are no reports on this subject, it is necessary to be careful against side effects such as allergic reaction, inflammation and nerve damage at the injection area. The practitioner’s being trained and experienced in prolotherapy is especially important.
How Long Does Prolotherapy Application Take?
Prolotherapy application takes approximately 25-30 minutes with the preparatory process. After the application, ice can be applied to the injection area for 10-15 minutes. Prolotherapy application can be performed with the intervals of 2-4 weeks according to the disease.
Slight swelling may occur in the injection area after the application. In some people, swelling or bruising may persist for a few days. Increasing swelling, severe pain and redness at the injection area and fever may be signs of severe inflammation. In such a case, it is a must to consult a doctor.
