Prolotherapy – Asheville, NC
Jumpstart Your Body’s Natural Healing Processes
Conventional treatments for pain relief include things like medications, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. All such treatments have their appropriate place. But did you know that there are other options? Countless patients have benefited from prolotherapy in Asheville. Here at Asheville Non-Surgical Orthopedics, we are proud to offer this remarkable regenerative medicine service. Read on below to learn more about it and how it may be able to help you.
Why Choose Asheville Non-Surgical Orthopedics for Prolotherapy?
- Natural & Effective Treatment
- Minimal Side Effects
- Can Be Combined with Other Treatments
What Is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is also known as proliferation therapy or regenerative injection therapy. It first came onto the medical scene in the 1950s, and since then, it has helped countless patients to find relief from musculoskeletal pain.
It works by exposing the targeted tissues to an irritant, which might be a dextrose or saline solution (in our practice, we tend to use dextrose). Often, the irritant is combined with lidocaine, which numbs the area. The irritant does not cause any real harm to the tissues in your body, but it does spark an inflammatory response that lets your body know there is a problem. It thereby speeds up your body’s natural healing processes.
What Can Prolotherapy Treat?
Prolotherapy might be suitable for you if you suffer from any of the following:
- Arthritis
- Sports injuries
- Low back pain
- Tendinopathy
- Degenerative disk disease
- Fibromyalgia
Prolotherapy can be combined with other treatments to make sure you are experiencing optimal pain relief. (However, it should not be used along with anti-inflammatory medications because they could interfere with prolotherapy’s effectiveness.) After carefully considering your circumstances and pain level, Dr. Pinkston will let you know if it may be a fit for you.
What to Expect from Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy involves a pretty simple procedure. We will inject the solution into the area where you are experiencing pain, whether that is a joint, ligament, or tendon. The injections are uncomfortable for some patients, but we strive to make the process as easy as possible. After your appointment, some soreness at the injection site is to be expected. However, you should not experience any severe, adverse side effects. Prolotherapy is quite safe for most patients.
Most patients begin to notice results after about 4 – 6 weeks. You may need multiple injection sessions to experience optimal pain relief. Dr. Pinkston will use his experience and expertise to make a recommendation about how many injections you should receive and how often you should receive them.
Under ideal circumstances, prolotherapy provides permanent relief because it helps your body to heal itself, rather than relying on medications to mask symptoms. However, some patients who are dealing with chronic or persistent problems may need occasional retreatment. If you ever notice that your treated area is beginning to hurt again, give us a call so we can assess the situation and recommend your next steps.
Would you like to learn more about prolotherapy and how it may be able to help you? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.