Proliferation therapy, commonly known as Prolotherapy, is a non-surgical ligament and tendon reconstruction treatment that heals the body. Also known as regenerative injection therapy, Prolotherapy is a form of regenerative medicine that has been practiced regularly for the better half of a century and has a variety of treatment types within the therapy as a whole: Platelet Rich Plasma Prolotherapy (PRP), Biocellular Prolotherapy, and Dextrose Prolotherapy are three popular treatments that can provide unique healing.
The American Osteopathic Association of Prolotherapy Regenerative Medicine says Prolotherapy has been used as early as 500 B.C. when the Roman soldiers used hot branding irons to repair joint dislocations by fusing the torn ligaments back together. Luckily, science and medicine have advanced greatly since then and Prolotherapy no longer relies on hot branding irons and the resulting scar tissue to get the job done.
Today, Prolotherapy strengthens the ligaments and tissues in a joint by creating new collagen that helps bond torn or damaged tissue back together. The goal of Prolotherapy today is to regenerate new, healthy tissue, which strengthens a weakened joint.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet Rich Plasma Prolotherapy (PRP) is one of the specialized forms of Prolotherapy offered at Optimal Health Medical Fitness.
Ideal for high functioning individuals and athletes, PRP is a non-surgical injection of platelets in a high quantity. Platelets are known for helping clot blood; however, they are also one of the first cells to arrive at the site of an injury to initiate repair. Stem cells follow closely after the platelets to immediately maximize healing. Naturally rich in connective tissue growth, platelets and stem cells work together to heal the injury or inflammation without excessive external influence, such as surgery.
Since our blood naturally has 93 percent red blood cells, 6 percent white blood cells, and 1 percent platelets, scientists created a way to enrich an injured area with more platelets that can expedite healing through the boosted quantity of platelets in the area. This is known as PRP.
Folks tend to use PRP to heal a chronic injury. It is administered via a series of injections through the skin into the ligament or tendon that must be healed. In any given session, there may be between 40 and 80 injections that provide therapeutic relief and stimulate the tissue to heal.
How Does Prolotherapy Work?
PRP is often used for athletes, while the more traditional Prolotherapy can be used to help treat arthritis, TMJ dysfunction, chronic back and neck pain, Fibromyalgia, whiplash, and joint injuries including those to the shoulder, wrist, elbow, knee, and ankle.
Overall, Prolotherapy and PRP are both a solution of healing medications that are injected into the injured area. In any given therapy session, the injured area will receive between 40 and 80 small, stimulating injections that send the platelets or other medicinal solution into the injured area.
Prolotherapy tends to help joints heal because it is typically a part of the body that receives very little oxygen and blood flow, which slows the natural healing process. Therefore, joints are in need of special attention to heal fully. By injecting platelets and other natural healers, the joint is given direct supply to initiate healing.
Visit Optimal Health Medical Fitness to learn more about how Prolotherapy can help relieve your pain today. Schedule a consultation with our team.
