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Introduction to Prolotherapy Links

Why Get Prolotherapy?
Donna Alderman, D.O.
When you become a physician, you take the Hippocratic Oath. The first rule of the Hippocratic Oath is "First of all, do no harm." This is why Prolotherapy appealed to me as a physician. I was a doctor at a famous HMO. After learning Prolotherapy, however, I went into private practice.

What is Prolotherapy?
Alvin Stein, M.D.
Prolotherapy is also known as non-surgical ligament reconstruction, and is a permanent treatment for chronic pain. Prolotherapy is derived from the Latin word "proli" which means to regenerate or rebuild. It is important to understand what the word PROLOTHERAPY itself means. "Prolo" is short for proliferation, because the treatment causes the proliferation (growth, formation) of new ligament tissue in areas where it has become weak.

10 Tips to Determine if You Are A Good Prolotherapy Candidate
Pain simply put is just the body’s response telling you that you have some tissue that is breaking down. The same thing happens to an athlete who is in the heat of competition. When the muscles start hurting, it is just a sign that you are working really hard. It also reveals that tissue is breaking down, which is especially important to those who are athletes. The goal of Prolotherapy is to build the tissue back up.

Introduction to Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.
Prolotherapy is a simple, natural technique that stimulates the body to repair the painful area when the natural healing process needs a little assistance.

How Safe Is Prolotherapy?
Ross Hauser, M.D.
In now over four decades, no serious side effects from Prolotherapy have been reported in the medical literature despite millions of Prolotherapy treatments given. Prolotherapy is not dangerous, Prolotherapy cures chronic pain.

The Importance of an Experienced Prolotherapist
Ross Hauser, M.D.
Because of the numerous calls we receive, we have a good idea, (the good, the bad, and the ugly) about what is happening with Prolotherapy around the country. Remember that not all Prolotherapists are created equal and the proof is some of the things our patients have told us and what we have heard from other physicians.

Non-Surgical Tendon, Ligament and Joint Reconstruction
William J. Faber, D.O.
In acute injuries, the ligaments and tendons become torn. Ligaments function to limit the range of motion that bones can move between each other, and function to stabilize joints and hold the joint together. Tendons function to attach a muscle to bone in order to provide motion. Discs and cartilage serve to absorb shock and keep the bones from rubbing against one another. If the ligaments become torn or over-stretched the joint becomes unstable and resultant friction causes the discs or cartilage to become worn down causing a loss of height.

How Does Prolotherapy Work?
Marc Darrow, M.D.
The term "Prolotherapy" is short for "proliferation therapy." Proliferation, of course, means "rapid production." What Prolotherapy rapidly produces is collagen and cartilage. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body that is a necessary element for the formation of new connective tissue—the tissues that holds our skeletal infrastructure together. These tissues include, tendons, ligaments, muscle fascia and joint capsular tissue.

When Prolotherapy May Not Work
David Harris, M.D.  
Prolotherapy is effective in markedly reducing or curing musculoskeletal pain 80-90% of the time. Many end-stage medical problems are worth a trial of prolotherapy, especially if the only alternative is a destructive or permanent alteration of a joint, such as a surgical fusion or the destruction of a nerve. The greater the anatomical injury, the more difficult it is resolving the problem.

Twenty Common Questions About Prolotherapy
David Harris, M.D.

The History of Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.
The concept of Prolotherapy originated in the non-surgical treatment of hernias, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids, all conditions which are due to connective tissue weakness. If the connective tissue in the veins becomes weakened, hemorrhoids and varicose veins form. Weakness in the collagen, of course, causes ligament laxity and tendon degeneration with resultant chronic pain.

Curing Chronic Pain with Prolotherapy
Scott Greenberg, M.D.
Have you ever suffered from chronic musculoskeletal pain? If you have, you are not alone. Statistically speaking, 75% of Americans will experience chronic back pain in their lifetime. Unfortunately, a stressful and active lifestyle may not give our body the chance it deserves to heal.

Why So Many Turn To Prolotherapy
David Harris, M.D.
The conventional model of pain management relies on medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, opiates such as Vicodin and Codiene, “muscle-relaxant” medications related to Valium (which actually act as “brain-relaxants”), and other potentially addictive and risky medications.

Prolotherapy and Chronic Pain
Ross Hauser, M.D.
It is not a secret that chronic musculoskeletal pain is the number one cause of chronic disability in North America. Nor is it a secret that chronic back pain is the leading cause of disability in Americans under the age of 45. What is a secret is that this rampaging epidemic of pain can conceivably be eliminated in 80-90% of sufferers.

Peripheral Joints & Prolotherapy Jay W. Nielsen, M.D.

The Difference Between Prolotherapy, Trigger Points, and Acupuncture
Marc Darrow, M.D.J.D.

Prolotherapy: Creating Inflammation in an Area that is Already Inflamed
Marc Darrow, M.D.J.D.
Our bones and muscles are held together by the aptly named connective tissue. Connective tissues are ligaments, which connect bone to bone, and tendons, which connect the bones to muscles. It is also the fascia covering muscles and the joint capsule tissue.

Growth Factor Basis of Prolotherapy
David Harris, M.D.
For many years, the positive effects of Prolotherapy were thought to be mainly based on the concept of inflammation and minor damage induced by the injection of irritating solutions, with subsequent healing of the injured areas. The benefit of solutions containing strong alcohol solutions, ground-up pumice stone, and other such recipes suggest that this is indeed one of the mechanisms of the strengthening and healing response seen with Prolotherapy.

What Does It Take To Heal Connective Tissue?
Dave Harris, M.D.
Healing is a complex process. Many chemical reactions occur after an injury which together fight infection, clear away debris, and rebuild the damaged structure. Complex interplay occurs between nutrition, hormones, underlying disease, circulation, neurological connections, and many other factors. Many patients who do not heal their original injuries have deficiencies of some of these factors, or may have had such extensive injury that the result of healing was insufficient.

What Do You Mean The Prolotherapy Worked, I Still Have Pain!
Ross Hauser, M.D.
A patient came in for his sixth Prolotherapy visit. The nurse told me the patient didn't feel much improvement in his knee pain, though he had already received five Prolotherapy treatments. 

Can Any Research Prove That Prolotherapy Works?
Ross Hauser, M.D.
Before double-blinded studies, doctors would ask patients if they felt better. If patient after patient told the physician they felt better, than it was presumed and accepted that the therapy was effective. If it was a new therapy, then it was taught doctor to doctor and eventually it was taught in medical schools. If this was still the standard upon which medical therapies were judged, then clearly Prolotherapy would be taught in all the medical schools, but it is not. Why not?

What is the Proof Prolotherapy is Working? Ross Hauser, M.D.
This is a common question asked by people just about to receive Prolotherapy for the first time. Typically there are several variables that are looked at to make sure the Prolotherapy is achieving the results the person desires.

The Healing Powers of Prolotherapy Vladimir Djuric, M.D.

How Chronic Non-Joint Pain is Helped by Prolotherapy K. Dean Reeves, M.D.

How Does Prolotherapy Work?
Mark Wheaton, M.D.
Prolotherapy works on a very simple principle: injecting the prolotherapy solution at the sites of pain and weakness stimulates the body's own healing mechanism to repair and rebuild injured tissue into a stronger, more supportive, less painful tissue than it was before.

How Prolotherapy Helps
Allen Thomashefsky, MD, PC 
Every joint in the body is held together by a ligament. When ligaments tear (we call this a "sprain") the joint can become unstable, like in a sprained ankle. When ligaments tear around a vertebrae (i.e. "whiplash"), the spine becomes unstable. You experience muscle spasm because the muscles are trying to make up for the weakness in the spine. 

Prolotherapy
Stephen Blievernicht, MD FACS  

What is Prolotherapy-Indications and Contraindications
K. Dean Reeves, M.D.
Prolotherapy is injection of any substance that acts as a ‘growth factor,’ that is, which promotes growth of normal cells, tissues, or organs. Injection of the hormone, erythropoietin, to produce red blood cells is widely used, and a number of other substances have been used for treatment of patients with various medical disorders. This discussion focuses on prolotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders, including arthritis and back pain. 
 

Prolotherapy and Back Pain

Prolotherapy and Spine Disorders
Jay W. Nielsen, M.D.

Prolotherapy after Back Surgery
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Prolotherapy and Scoliosis
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Failed Back Surgery and Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Identifying Different Types of Back Pain
Marc Darrow, M.D.

Low Back Pain and Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.

DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE AND BACK PAIN
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Spinal Cord Stimulator
Ross Hauser, M.D.
 

Sciatica
Marc Darrow, M.D.

Prolotherapy and Disc Problems
Richard I. Gracer, M.D.

Complicated Disc Problem
Marc Darrow, M.D.

Herniated Discs
Sacroiliac pain

Prolotherapy: An Alternative
to Thoracic Spine Surgery
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Spinal Fusion Questions

Low Back Pain Resolved With Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D

Spinal Disc Problems
Ross Hauser, M.D

Prolotherapy and Knee Pain

Knee Replacement and Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Knee Pain and Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Pes Anserinus Tendon
Ross Hauser, M.D.

ACL Problems and Prolotherapy
Marc Darrow, M.D.

ACL SURGERY
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Prolotherapy and the Patella
Ross Hauser, M.D.

PROLOTHERAPY AND THE SURGICALLY FAILED KNEE
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Prolotherapy Saved Me From Bilateral Knee Replacements!
 

Prolotherapy and Hip Pain

Biological Reconstruction -
Alternatives to Hip Prosthesis
William J. Faber, D.O.

Prolotherapy, Hip Pain & Snapping Hip Syndrome
Ross Hauser, M.D.
 

Hip Pain and Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Other Hip Pain Articles

Prolotherapy, Foot and Ankle Pain and Hip Pain

Prolotherapy and Ankle Pain
CASE HISTORIES PROLOTHERAPY
AND ANKLE PAIN

ANKLE FUSION AND PROLOTHERAPY
Ross Hauser, M.D.

The Key to Treatment of Any Joint Pain Lies in the Foot
Scott Greenberg, M.D.

Prolotherapy and Foot Pain
Foot Pain and Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Covering Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome and Morton's Neuroma
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Chronic Foot Problems
Ross Hauser, M.D.
 

When Prolotherapy is Not Working

When Prolotherapy is Not Working
(Multiple Articles)

Don't Prevent Prolotherapy From Working!
Marc Darrow, M.D.J.D.
 

What Is The Proof Prolotherapy Is Working?
Ross Hauser, M.D.

How to Optimize Response To Prolotherapy
Ross Hauser, M.D.
 

Other Articles

Prolotherapy and Chronic Body Pain
Benign congenital hypermobility (BCH)
Benign Congenital Hypermobility (BCH) is generalized joint hypermobility (loose joints in the entire body) due to ligamentous laxity occurs in about five percent of the population. This may be a genetic problem.

Affecting individuals over 40 years of age, typically these people have recurrent joint problems and almost universally suffer from chronic pain. The end result of this condition is often diffuse osteoarthritis.
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Prolotherapy and Collagen
Rebuilding Collagen: The Key to Prolotherapy
Marc Darrow, M.D.

Prolotherapy and Elbow Pain
ulnar collateral ligament sprain
Ross Hauser, M.D.
Elbow Pain
Ross Hauser, M.D.
Elbow Pain ulnar collateral ligament
A common cause of chronic elbow pain is an ulnar collateral ligament sprain. This ligament supports the inside of the elbow. It is responsible for holding the ulnar bone to the distal end of the humerus. In other words it enables the arm to flex, pivoting at the elbow. A patient's complaint of pain on the inside of the elbow will cause a physician to examine the lateral epicondyle's "sister," the medial epicondyle and not look for the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain.

Prolotherapy and Sports Injuries
Prolotherapy and Sports Injuries
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Resolve Joint Pain Without Surgery
William J. Faber, D.O.

CASE HISTORIES FOR PROLOTHERAPY
& SPORTS INJURIES 

Prolotherapy and Shoulder Injuries
Prolotherapy and Shoulder Injuries
Alvin Stein, M.D.

Prolotherapy Slaps it to 'Slap Lesions'
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis and Impingement Syndrome
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Shoulder Pain
Marc Darrow, M.D., J.D.

CASE HISTORIES PROLOTHERAPY & SHOULDER PAIN

Prolotherapy and TMJ
Prolotherapy as Treatment for TMJ
Ross Hauser, M.D.

BARRE-LIEOU SYNDROME AND TMJ
Marc Darrow, M.D.

Jaw Pain
Marc Darrow, M.D.

Other articles
Prolotherapy articles
Prolotherapy.org
Newsletter articles

Case Histories
Golf, Diet and Prolotherapy
Woman Mid 60's - knee pain
Prolotherapy & other ways to get pain-free
 

Prolotherapy and Arthritis
Prolotherapy Can Prevent the Development of Traumatic Arthritis
Ligaments stabilize joints, if ligaments are loose, the joint is loose. Loose joints means the body will cause muscles to spasm and overgrow bone in an effort to stabilize the joint. Since stabilization will not occur; the joint will begin to make the "cracking" sound. Cracking of a joint means arthritis is starting. Additionally, if the joint periodically swells or feels painful during cold weather, arthritis is starting to form. If a joint or ligament is traumatized by injury and not fully allowed to heal, traumatic arthritis develops. Many of the old-time athletes I see in my practice have some form of traumatic arthritis. However! Exercise and sports participation do not cause arthritis; only an injury to the joint causes arthritis.
Donna Alderman, D.O.

Prolotherapy: An Alternative to Arthritis Surgery
People are often getting surgery for degenerative conditions. The most common surgery is arthroscopy which was found to be no more effective than placebo in regard to knee arthritis. There are still hundreds of thousands of joint replacements every year for degenerative joint disease. There are hundreds of thousands of more surgeries for degenerative disc disease. Let's see if surgery makes sense for these conditions.
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Prolotherapy and Groin Pain
Groin Pain Blog
 

Prolotherapy and Headache (Migraines)
Prolotherapy & Barre-Lieou Syndrome
Ross Hauser, M.D.
 

Prolotherapy and Inflammation
Prolotherapy: Creating Inflammation
Can I Take Anti-Inflammatory Agents?
Diet and Inflammation
Creating Inflammation with Prolotherapy
 

Prolotherapy and Ligament Injury
The 7 No's of Ligament Injury
Ross Hauser, M.D.
Prolotherapy and Ligament Pain
Robert G. Schwartz MD
 

Prolotherapy and Head/Neck Pain
Nerve Pain in the Neck and Shoulder Area
Marc Darrow, M.D.

The Diagnostic Evaluation of Referred Jaw Temporal and Facial Pain
Scott R. Greenberg, M.D.

CASE HISTORIES PROLOTHERAPY & NECK PAIN
 

Prolotherapy and Pain Killers
Can I Take Anti-Inflammatory Agents With Prolotherapy?
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Prolotherapy and Platlet Rich Plasma
Prolotherapy with Platelet Rich Plasma

Prolotherapy and Whiplash Injuries
Prolotherapy for Whiplash, Chronic Neck Pain and Headaches Vladimir Djuric, M.D.

Whiplash Injury
Marc Darrow, M.D.
Myofasciitis
Marc Darrow, M.D.

Prolotherapy for Post-Fracture
Rehab and Pain
Ross Hauser, M.D.
 

VIDEOS

• Is Someone a Candidate for Prolotherapy?
• Prolotherapy & Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
• Prolotherapy to the Hip
• Prolotherapy to the Knee
• Prolotherapy to the Low Back
• What are the risks associated with Prolotherapy?
• Prolotherapy of the shoulder with ultrasound guidance

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