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PROLOTHERAPY

What is Prolotherapy?

Short for ‘proliferative’ therapy, prolotherapy is based on the same naturopathic philosophy that the body has the innate ability to heal itself given the appropriate stimulus. The stimulus, in the case of prolotherapy, is through the injection of a ‘proliferant’ solution which causes a controlled/localized tissue trauma. The body responds to this trauma by initiating a wound healing cascade. This process is thought to repair the damaged tissue in a such a way that results in stronger tissue integrity.

These injections are applied to the musculoskeletal structures of the body, particularly at the weakest point of joint spaces where the tendons/ligaments connect to the bones. This, in turn, stabilizes the joints which takes stress off of the musculoskeletal structure, relieves muscle spasms, reduces inflammation, improves strength/biomechanics, and so forth. Ultimately, the combination of these results helps to relieve pain and prevent injury.

Injections are applied precisely to specific regions of the body based on a thorough orthopedic assessment.

  • TMJ Pain
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Rotator Cuff
  • Upper back pain
  • Elbow Pain
  • Low back Pain
  • Tennis Elbows
  • Sacroiliac Pain
  • Wrist Pain
  • Sciatica
  • Arthritis of the Hand
  • Ankle Sprains
  • Knee Pain
  • Foot Pain
  • Cartilage Injury
  • Arch & heel pain
  • ACL Strain

PROLOTHERAPY IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Prolotherapy is a form of regenerative injection therapy that uses the injection of a mild irritant to stimulate the body’s healing process and promote the repair of damaged connective tissue. Highly effective for helping old, unhealed injuries as well as conditions like arthritis, prolotherapy can help patients suffering from acute and chronic pain in the back, hips, knees, shoulders, joints, and ligaments experience long-lasting relief without relying on medication or resorting to surgery.

At Regenezone, we believe you shouldn’t have to settle for traditional options if it isn’t working. Dr. Jordan Kopcio and his team have been using regenerative medicine like regenerative injection and tissue regeneration therapy for decades to help people recover from debilitating pain and change their lives. Here, prolotherapy isn’t a trend; it’s a trusted method for helping patients improve how they function on a day-to-day basis so they can get back to doing what they love or even discover new ways to move better.

How Prolotherapy Works

Similar to other regenerative injection therapies, prolotherapy works by stimulating the body’s natural healing process to repair damaged tissue, relieve pain, and improve function. However, several unique aspects of prolotherapy make it an ideal option for different scenarios.

  1. Unlike PRP, prolotherapy does not require blood to be drawn. Instead of plasma, a mild irritant like a dextrose or saline solution is injected into the area of pain or soreness. The body recognizes the irritant and begins sending cells to the area to start repairing the soft tissue—including nerves, blood vessels, and muscle tissue—in the affected joint or muscle.
  2. In addition to repairing damaged tissue, prolotherapy “tricks” the body into producing more collagen that will then stabilize the joint. This new collagen increases the overall stability of the joints and helps restore strength, elasticity, and function to the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and other connective tissues, resulting in stronger tissue integrity, better joint function, and increased range of motion.

Pain in muscles and joints often develops when inflammation from an injury subsides before the area has fully healed. The damaged connective tissues have not properly recovered, causing pain, loss of function, or reduced range of motion. By encouraging a new inflammatory response via injection of the irritant, prolotherapy triggers the body to resume healing and complete the process more thoroughly and effectively. As the body begins to create new, healthy tissue, the area becomes more stable, and the pain and inflammation begin to subside.

The Prolotherapy Procedure

Prolotherapy is a non-surgical outpatient procedure that can be performed right here in the Regenezone office by Dr. Kopcio in about 30 minutes. The area will first be numbed with a local anesthetic, then injected with a safe, natural proliferative agent, such as a solution mix of dextrose (sugar), saline (salt water), and lidocaine (a numbing medication).

Most patients will receive 4-15 injections over six to eight sessions, although some people may require more or less depending on their unique situation. Common side effects of prolotherapy include slight pain, discomfort, soreness, or bruising at the injection site; a full feeling in the joint; or occasional numbness, but these are typically minor and subside within a few days. The majority of prolotherapy patients return to work or regular activities on the same day.

Choosing the Right Provider for Prolotherapy

For maximum safety and efficacy, it’s important to seek prolotherapy from a highly trained practitioner like Dr. Kopcio, who has more than 10 years of experience in regenerative injection therapy. Physicians who have received additional training for modalities like prolotherapy have a more comprehensive understanding of how trauma affects the ligaments, tendons, and joints and can assess and diagnose your condition more accurately to ensure the best care and outcomes possible.

Regenerative medicine specialists like Dr. Kopcio are also familiar with the scientific basis behind regenerative injection therapies, as well as the indications, contraindications, and side effects of various methods. They have ample hands-on experience in safe and effective injection protocols and can provide better post-care and guidance.

At Regenezone, we provide the trusted, proven care to help with permanent pain relief. Masking the symptoms of acute and chronic conditions only degrades the quality of your life, but with regenerative medicine like prolotherapy, Dr. Kopcio and his team can help your body feel and function better than it ever has. Recover faster from surgery or injury, relieve chronic pain, or simply rediscover an active lifestyle with prolotherapy from Regenezone.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS USED IN THE PROLOTHERAPY SOLUTION?

The Hormone Zone uses the Hackett-Hemwell solution, as taught by the the Hacket-Hemwell Foundation and the American association of Orthopedic Medicine. The solution is a mixture of lidocaine (numbing agent), dextrose (sugar solution) and a small amount of B12. Dependent upon the area focused on, other solutions may also be used such as sarapin (analgesic), Marcaine (numbing agent) and sodium chloride (salt water).

CAN PROLOTHERAPY REPAIR CARTILAGE?

Prolotherapy has a proven track record in the care of damaged articular cartilage associated with osteoarthritis. Studies have demonstrated the ability of Prolotherapy to regenerate and repair damaged cartilage, reduce pain and improve functioning. It is important to note that Prolotherapy will not regrow cartilage if there is none left in the joint.

IS PROLOTHERAPY THE SAME AS NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS)?

They are definitely not the same. Prolotherapy does the opposite. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to help osteoarthritis. They have a large number of negative side effects and a negative effect on the cartilage between the joints. NSAIDs also cause an acceleration of deterioration of articular cartilage and therefore cause increased osteoarthritis.

IS THIS THE SAME AS CORTISONE INJECTIONS?

Absolutely not. Cortisone is a steroid and stops the inflammatory process and prevents tissue healing. Over time, it will actually damage the joint more. Cortisone restricts blood flow to the area needing to be healed. Prolotherapy increases the blood flow to the area bringing in oxygen and nutrients to help heal the damaged tissue. Cortisone is not part of the Prolotherapy injection.

IS PROLOTHERAPY SAFE?

Prolotherapy has been practiced for more than 60 years and is an extremely safe procedure when performed by a trained Prolotherapy doctor. It is important to ask the qualifications of the doctor when choosing who to perform the procedure. Sterile procedures are always practiced and each patient’s condition is unique and individualized.

DOES PROLOTHERAPY HURT?

Maybe is the simple answer. Dependent upon each patient and their individual condition, the amount of discomfort varies. Some areas are more painful than others, and everyone’s pain response is different.

CAN PROLOTHERAPY CURE ALL PAIN?

Of course it can’t. No single option is capable of helping all pain conditions, and Prolotherapy is not an overnight cure. That’s why we do a thorough evaluation and assessment of each condition before recommending Prolotherapy as an option. There are also things you can do on your own to enhance the procedure. Prolotherapy results can be enhanced when combined with exercise, proper nutrition, restricting activities, and balancing hormones. At The Hormone Zone, we can also combine Prolotherapy with other options to enhance the healing process.

HOW MANY VISITS ARE NEEDED?

The number of visits required depends upon the severity of the condition and the area being focused on. The average person usually requires 4-6 visits, with some needing more and some needing less. Visits are normally given once a week for 3 weeks and then spaced out based on how the person is responding to the care. This plan is varied on a person by person basis. More than one painful area can be helped during an office visit, and many patients report partial or complete relief of their pain after one or two visits.

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?

Side effects of Prolotherapy injections may include temporary soreness, stiffness, and occasional bruising in the injection site. Non-inflammatory over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol may be taken, or prescription non-inflammatory medication can be provided. Homeopathic preparations such as Arnica can help with these effects as well. You do need to avoid anti-inflammatory medicines for at least 72 hours following care.

WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD OF PROLOTHERAPY BEFORE?

  1. Chronic pain is not well understood and Prolotherapy is not taught in most medical schools. Unless a doctor has taken the extra training required to be an effective Prolotherapy doctor, they may not be aware of the beneficial effects of Prolotherapy.
  2. The entire procedure may take up to an hour and many clinics cannot afford to take this amount of time for one patient.
  3. Many doctors and patients want a “quick fix” as provided with medications. These types of fixes do not heal the area causing pain, but mask the pain and allow for continued damage of the area.
  4. Most insurance companies consider it “investigational” and “alternative” even though it has been around for over 60 years, and Prolotherapy is usually not covered. Many patients use their HSA or flex spending to get it covered. It is possible to send in a claim and try to be reimbursed. A doctor will provide you with a superbill and all necessary coding to submit the claim yourself.