Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy, a.k.a. "Regenerative Injection Therapy", is a medical procedure which involves injecting a non-pharmacological solution into dysfunctional tendons, ligaments or joints with the intent of strengthening weak soft tissue and reducing or eliminating chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain. Prolotherapy is becoming the treatment of choice for athletes with sports injuries as well as for patients seeking alternatives to surgery, chronic drug regiments, cortisone injections or narcotics. Prolotherapy has also been effective in treating patients suffering from chronic conditions which have been unresponsive to traditional medicine.
How Prolotherapy works is surprisingly simple. Most patients do not realize that in order to get complete and effective healing in our bodies, we need inflammation at the injured site. The body, however, often does not provide enough of the inflammatory agents at the site of injury to deliver comprehensive timely healing. Prolotherapy works by injecting a solution, usually a combination of dextrose, lidocaine, phenol, glycerine or cod liver oil extract, directly into the affected ligaments, tendons or joints. This process stimulates the inflammatory healing cascade. Research shows that the prolotherapy injection results in a region of localized inflammation at the injured tissue site, resulting in the deposition of new collagen in the dysfunctional tissue. The collagen then shrinks as it matures, thus resulting in tighter and stronger ligaments and tendons. Strong ligaments and tendons are essential for creating joint stability, increased muscle function and muscle endurance. Prolotherapy has the potential to completely resolve pain and dysfunction resulting from sports injuries, ligament and tendon weakness or chronic muscle/joint injuries.
Prolotherapy is administered through a slender needle to the injured body part. To ensure proper needle placement, the medical physician uses diagnostic ultrasound or video fluoroscopy. Proltherapy treatments are generally administered in two to six week intervals and a course of physical therapy is usually recommended to maximize the benefits. As of April 2005, medical physicians at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic have endorsed Prolotherapy as an effective treatment for many common musculoskeletal pain and injuries.
Indications for Prolotherapy Include:
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Arthritis | Back Pain | Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Cluster Headaches |
| Deep Aching | Degenerative Arthritis | Degenerative Disk Disease | Disc Herniation |
| Fibromyalgia | Heel Spurs | Hip Degeneration | Knee Injuries |
| Low Back Pain | Migraine Headaches | Pain | Rotator Cuff Tears |
| Sacroiliac Sprain | Sciatica | Scoliosis | Tennis Elbow |
| Tension Headaches | Whiplash |
Dr. Ajay Kumar has received extensive training in Prolotherapy and is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is also a Diplomat of the American Board of Pain Management Physicians. Prolotherapy, in conjunction with physical therapy, has proven to be a very effective, conservative treatment option for patients who have "failed" traditional medical treatments or are looking for a non-pharmaceutical/non-surgical treatment option. Please call (908)756-2424 for an initial evaluation with one of our Medical doctors to see if Prolotherapy is right for you.
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