Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy, short for proliferation therapy, is a regenerative treatment designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes to repair and strengthen injured or weakened tissues. It involves injecting glucose into the affected area, typically around ligaments, tendons, or joints, to promote tissue growth and repair.

Benefits of Prolotherapy

Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive

This treatment avoids the risks and recovery time associated with surgery. It is performed in an outpatient setting with minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to daily activities quickly and safely.

Stimulates Natural Healing

By triggering the body’s natural repair mechanisms, this approach promotes tissue regeneration without synthetic drugs. It enhances healing by encouraging the body to restore damaged ligaments, tendons, and joints naturally over time.

Customisable

Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual’s specific condition, injury severity, and healing response. This personalized approach ensures optimal results, targeting the root cause of pain and instability effectively.

Long-Term Relief

Strengthening connective tissues improves joint stability, reduces pain, and prevents future injury. By addressing the underlying issue, this treatment provides lasting relief, promoting better function and mobility for long-term health and well-being.

Conditions Treated with Prolotherapy

Joint Pain and Instability

Chronic pain in the knees, shoulders, hips, and ankles often stems from ligament and tendon weakness. Strengthening these connective tissues enhances joint stability, reduces discomfort, and improves overall function, helping to restore mobility and prevent further injury.

Tendon and Ligament Injuries

Conditions like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff injuries, Achilles tendinitis, and patellar tendinitis result from overuse or strain. Targeted treatments promote healing, reduce inflammation, and restore strength to tendons and ligaments, improving flexibility and preventing recurrent pain or dysfunction.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, commonly affecting the knees, hips, and other joints, leads to pain and stiffness. Strengthening surrounding connective tissues and improving joint function help reduce discomfort, enhance mobility, and slow the progression of degenerative joint disease for long-term relief.

Spinal Pain

Chronic low back pain often results from ligament instability or disc degeneration, while neck pain can stem from whiplash or injury. Strengthening spinal support structures alleviates discomfort, enhances posture, and restores mobility, helping to prevent recurring pain and dysfunction.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Inflammation of tendons and ligaments in the wrist can compress the median nerve, causing pain, numbness, and weakness. Targeted treatments help reduce swelling, relieve pressure, and restore function, improving hand dexterity and preventing long-term nerve damage.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders

Jaw joint dysfunction can cause pain, clicking, and difficulty chewing. Reducing inflammation and strengthening surrounding ligaments enhances joint stability, restores proper function, and alleviates discomfort, improving overall jaw movement and reducing associated headaches or facial tension.

Plantar Fasciitis

Inflammation in the plantar fascia causes stabbing heel pain, often worsening with movement. Strengthening connective tissues and reducing inflammation help restore foot function, alleviate discomfort, and prevent future strain, allowing for pain-free walking and improved mobility.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Instability in the sacroiliac joint, connecting the spine and pelvis, leads to chronic lower back and hip pain. Strengthening ligaments and reducing inflammation stabilizes the joint, alleviates discomfort, and restores balance, improving movement and reducing strain on surrounding structures.

Sports Injuries

Overuse injuries and partial connective tissue tears are common in athletes. Strengthening ligaments and tendons promotes healing, reduces pain, and restores mobility, allowing for safer physical activity while preventing re-injury and optimising long-term athletic performance.

How Prolotherapy Works

Injection of Irritant Solution

A specialized solution, often containing dextrose, lidocaine, and saline, is injected into the site of chronic pain or injury. Dextrose triggers inflammation and healing, lidocaine reduces discomfort, and saline adjusts concentration. This treatment primarily targets damaged connective tissues to promote recovery.

Stimulation of the Healing Response

The injected irritant solution induces controlled inflammation, attracting immune cells to the affected area. This response stimulates the release of growth factors, which aid in tissue repair. Over time, the treatment encourages the regeneration of damaged ligaments and tendons, supporting long-term healing.

Strengthening and Stabilisation

As the healing process progresses, new collagen forms, strengthening connective tissues. This structural reinforcement enhances joint stability, reduces chronic pain, and improves overall function in the treated area. The result is a more resilient musculoskeletal system, better equipped to withstand future stress and strain.

Prolotherapy Procedure, Risks, and Preparation

Procedure: Your initial consultation will determine if prolotherapy is suitable. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, during which the doctor injects a solution into the injured area. You can drive home afterward, but having someone accompany you is optional. A course of 3-6 sessions may be required over 4-8 weeks.

Potential Risks and Side Effects:
Common (temporary): Mild pain, swelling, stiffness, bruising, or redness at the injection site.
Rare: Infection or allergic reaction to the solution.

Preparation Before Treatment: No fasting is required, but avoid alcohol and cigarettes for at least two days prior. Inform your doctor if you:

Take blood thinners (e.g., aspirin)
Have an active infection, cancer, or low platelet count
Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to local anesthetics

Please email any relevant scans (MRI, CT, Ultrasound or X rays) prior to your appointment.

HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

You can book an appointment by clicking the book online button below or by calling 03 96992499.

Appointments are available Monday – Saturday.
No referral is required