For those suffering from back pain, any sort of relief is welcome. The impact of back and joint pain can be far-reaching and disruptive for those dealing with it day in and day out. An alternative medicine practice that is gaining popularity as a non-surgical option for pain management is prolotherapy treatment.

Prolotherapy treatments, otherwise known as regenerative joint injections or non-surgical ligament and tendon reconstruction, is a procedure in which a natural irritant is injected into the soft tissue of an injured joint. According to Medical News Today, the irritant then kickstarts the body’s natural healing response. It has been known to promote long-term or even permanent pain relief.

The injection is usually composed of a solution of concentrated dextrose and steroid-free local anesthetic. It stimulates the body’s natural ability to strengthen and repair damaged ligaments in the joint. The strengthened ligament can then help to stabilize the joint as a whole. Pain disappears once the joint is more fully supported. In order to achieve the desired effect, prolotherapy treatments usually require several shots. In fact, somebody undergoing prolotherapy treatment can expect anywhere from 4 to 15 shots in a session over the course of 3 to 6 months.

In contrast to prolotherapy treatments for back pain, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, and surgery do not consistently achieve joint stabilization. Prolotherapy is an excellent and natural treatment that helps to relieve pain without the risks involved with surgery, including anesthesia, hospital stays, or a drawn-out recovery period.

Prolotherapy has been used as a natural alternative to surgery for back pain since the early 1900s. There are few reported side effects, but some can include pain or swelling at the injection site. According to Medical News Today, those that receive prolotherapy treatments often experience high rates of success. There are limited studies into prolotherapy at this point in time; however, the studies that we do have indicate overall success with the procedure.

If you’re interested in learning more about Fort Collins prolotherapy treatments, contact Dr. Hampton at Arktos Direct Care. We offer an array of services, including prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy, aesthetic treatments, and osteopathic manipulation. We will also have a full-service and direct primary care clinic opening soon. Browse our site to learn more, or email us at arktosdirectcare@gmail.com.