10) How does Prolotherapy treat TMJ and other joint problems? . Prolotherapy is a safe, conservative, and cost-effective TMJ treatment, resulting in reduced joint popping and clicking, improved gliding, and improved opening of the jaw, because of the greater stability and reduced "play" in the joint. It works similarly on many other joints of the body, including knees, hips, and hand and wrist joints.
11) Does Prolotherapy treat foot and ankle pain?
Many foot and ankle problems are treated and resolved with Prolotherapy. The most common and notable are Plantar Fasciitis, Morton's Neuroma, bunions, and chronic ankle sprains. Each of these involves stretching of ligaments and joint capsules, which respond quite well to Prolotherapy. If steroid injections do not provide long-term relief for these, you should strongly consider Prolotherapy. You certainly can bypass steroid injections and surgery; treatment with Prolotherapy can and usually does achieve a great deal of success.
12) How can I test myself to see if Prolotherapy could help me?
The signature finding is pain that you can put a finger on. This may be at the top of the neck or base of the skull for headache pain, the top of the shoulder, the inner or outer elbow, the sides of the knee, or the groove between the inner edge of your hip bone and your tailbone (the sacroiliac joint), or a number of other common places where these tissue injuries occur. If you can precisely point to your source of pain, there is an excellent chance that Prolotherapy will resolve or at least greatly improve it.
13) Shouldn't I be skeptical of such a weird idea that few doctors know about?
Of course, I certainly was! I knew about this technique for over 8 years, I now use Prolotherapy as one of my many tools that I have available to treat my patients, and over time it has become one of my primary tools because of the vast array of problems solvable with this technique.
14) So Prolotherapy is a cure for everything?
Many diseases and illnesses are not resolvable with Prolotherapy. Pain can originate in many tissues, and a complete, thorough examination is absolutely essential.
15) Will Prolotherapy improve my loose joints?
Prolotherapy has been shown to increase the ligaments around joints by approximately 30-40% in strength and mass. This can remarkably improve torn ankle, knee, and other ligaments. Even if there is minimal pain with some of these injuries, the weakness can ultimately tear further and create greater dysfunction. Prolotherapy is the only clinically proven method of regenerating and repairing torn cartilage inside joints.
16) Does Prolotherapy treat Fibromyalgia?
A well-done study in the literature showed that approximately two-thirds of Fibromyalgia patients treated with Prolotherapy 1 year later stated that it was the best treatment that they had ever received for their pain. Although Prolotherapy may not treat the underlying cause of Fibromyalgia, the tender points of this syndrome are frequently improved.
17) How many visits are necessary, and how frequent are they scheduled?
Most conditions are treated with 4-8 visits, but may take more. The timing of visits varies from weekly to every 4-6 weeks or more. Rarely, 10-15 visits may be required as long as progress is being made.
18) How long does it take to know if I will be improved or cured with Prolotherapy?
Patients occasionally experience a great deal of relief after their first injection; most, however, note improvement after 3-4 injections, with the duration of treatment then determined by the rate of progress. Studies suggest a success rate ("greater than 50% improvement in pain level") of 80-90%.
19) Is Prolotherapy expensive?
Compared to many treatments that are much less permanent and carry greater risk, it is very cost-effective. A typical treatment costs $125-500, depending on the number of body regions and time involved.
20) Are there any activity restrictions following the injection?
Most practitioners recommend careful resumption of activity as tolerated. This can include normal exercise routines, walking, sports, and other activities. Physical therapy, massage, chiropractic and other treatment does not need to be stopped .