What is Prolotherapy and
How Does it Work?

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 tissue that hold our skeletal infrastructure together. This tissue includes tendons, ligaments, muscle fascia and joint capsular tissue.

Prolotherapy helps stimulate collagen growth through a series of injections, not of collagen, but of mild chemical or natural irritants (such as dextrosesugar), which stimulate the immune system's healing mechanism to produce collagen naturally. The production of new collagen strengthens and restores joints. Rejuevenated collagen assists in the reduction of or the elimination of pain. 

The Basis of a Prolotherapy Treatment:

The Prolotherapy Doctor's Examination

A Prolotherapy physician will physically examine the patient, being careful to gently press on the suspect area causing pain. When the physician's touch elicits an intense pain spot, known as a trigger or tender point, this is often the spot where Prolotherapy is given.

One test you can do at home to determine if you are a candidate for Prolotherapy is to gently press on the area causing pain.

If you can find and put your finger on an exact spot where the pain is coming from, you have found the trigger or tender point, the junction of bone and connective tissue that is injured or weakened.

<Previous Page My story as a Prolotherapy skeptic Next Page>