My typical prolotherapy client is someone who’s suffered from years of hip, knee, shoulder, or low back pain. Chronic joint pain is most often the result of work-related injuries, old sport injuries, or simply, “wear and tear.” But factors like genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle, impact joint health and repair. Prior to seeing me, they unfortunately have had to learn to perform many of the activities they love with limitations or they have had to refrain from doing them altogether. Overtime, they’ve tried bracing or wrapping the effected joint, used ice and heat pack, had physical therapy, and have even taken acetaminophen (Tylenol). From a conventional standpoint, acetaminophen is the first line of management for chronic joint pain. However, for most, it fails to adequately control chronic pain and unfortunately plays no role in promoting joint healing. As chronic joint pain continues, they may turn to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), often from the advice of their physician. These include common over the counter medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn), or prescription varieties such as celecoxib and piroxicam.
It’s not unusual for individuals to have even received a few or more corticosteroid (cortisone) injections for more debilitating pain. What can be expected from the conventional sequence of therapies described is at best only temporary relief in the earliest stages of joint dysfunction, and only temporary improvement in advanced dysfunction. Like acetaminophen, NSAIDs and corticosteroids play no role in joint healing or repair. But it’s worse than that. Many people don’t know that the long-term effect of NSAIDs and/or corticosteroids is accelerated deterioration of ligaments and articular cartilage. These medications therefore ultimately cause more joint pain and dysfunction. In fact, NSAIDs and corticosteroids thereby promote the very condition they so often are prescribed to treat. Some researchers even believe the use of NSAIDs has even driven the rates of hip and knee replacement surgeries upwards.
In contrast, the healing cascade that NSAIDs inhibit, promoting further joint degeneration and pain; are promoted by Regenerative Medicine, commonly known as Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy increases the regeneration of connective tissue to restore joint integrity and eliminate pain by initiating the healing cascade. A series of Prolotherapy treatments increases blood flow, facilitating oxygenation to the tissue and even promotes the release of growth factors that orchestrate repair of ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. With prolotherapy, individuals with chronic joint pain and dysfunction can return to their normal activities, finding relief of pain and enhanced mobility all while avoiding the detrimental effects of NSAIDs.
Regenerative medicine, also known as Prolotherapy, can prevent the degenerative changes caused by anti-inflammatory medications while promoting the repair and healing of joints.
Dr. Ayo Bankole has received advanced training in prolotherapy and is a member of the California Association of Naturopathic Doctors www.calnd.org, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians www.naturopathic.org, and the American College for the Advancement of Medicine www.acam.org. He uses prolotherapy to treat pain conditions of the back, hips, knees, feet, shoulders, elbows, and hands. To learn if prolotherapy is right for you call 909-981-9200 for a free consultation.
