Prolotherapy is also known as nonsurgical ligament reconstruction, and is a treatment for chronic pain. Considering the number of people suffering from chronic pain, the most crucial question to ask is if it is effective at all.
The treatment is useful for many different types of musculoskeletal pain, including arthritis, back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, unresolved whiplash injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic tendonitis, partially torn tendons, ligaments and cartilage, degenerated or herniated discs, TMJ and sciatica.
What is prolotherapy? First, it is important to understand what the word prolotherapy itself means. “Prolo” is short for proliferation, because the treatment causes the proliferation (growth, formation) of new ligament tissue in areas where it has become weak.
Ligaments are what holds the bones to the joints. Since they are elastic, they are usually weak, easily injured and may not easily go back to its original vitality. The reason for this is because the blood flowing to the ligaments is slow, thus the healing is quite slow. Aside from this problem, ligaments are have a lot of nerve endings that is why the slightest damage could cause unbearable pain.
Tendons are the name given to tissue which connects muscles to bones, and in the same manner tendons may also become injured, and cause pain.
Historical review shows that a version of this technique was first used by Hippocrates on soldiers with dislocated, torn shoulder joints. He would stick a hot poker into the joint, and it would then miraculously heal normally. Of course, we don’t use hot pokers today, but the principle is similarget the body to repair itself, an innate ability that the body has.
Another effective and similar form of prolotherapy that stimulates the proliferation of new tissue is Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN). TDN involves the use of a fine filament needle (acupuncture needle) to deactivate tight and tender trigger points within a muscle. This deactivation involves pistoning of the needle which causes a local inflammatory reaction in the tissue being needled. Tissues that respond well to this form of intervention include; muscles, tendons, fascia and ligaments.
The goal of GEMt is to offer world class educational courses to manual therapists from around the globe. Initially we will achieve this by our clinical knowledge and experiences, of which we have nearly 30 years to call upon. Our courses aim to offer both clinically specific information and marketing materials to ensure satisfaction and success in the fields of dry needling therapy,trigger point dry needling,and dry needling courses. For more information, visit www.gemtinfo.com.au.
