If you’ve heard of prolotherapy, more commonly known as PRP, you may already know how this natural approach to treatment helps the body heal itself. But if you’re less familiar with this revolutionary treatment, you may wonder how prolotherapy treats acute and chronic pain—all without stitches or incisions.
Continue reading to learn about the history of prolotherapy near Sullivan’s Island, SC and the treatment process at InterveneMD. If you’re ready to get back to feeling your best, visit our website, give us a call, or schedule a consultation to speak with one of our pain specialists.
What is prolotherapy?
By injecting a natural healing solution, prolotherapy offers non-surgical pain relief by kick-starting the body’s healing response. Also referred as proliferation therapy or regenerative injection therapy, prolotherapy encourages healing in injured tissues of affected joints and ligaments, including – but not limited to:
- Back
- Knees
- Ankles
- Feet
- Shoulders
- Elbows
- Fingers
- Hips
By targeting loose or weakened connective tissues, prolotherapy injections help patients restore function and minimize pain. We compare this process to the formation of a callus, strengthening the joints and bones to protect them from further damage.
The benefits of prolotherapy near Sullivan’s Island also stretch beyond addressing traditional injuries and chronic pain. At InterveneMD, we frequently use prolotherapy to treat conditions such as arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and headaches.
The History of Prolotherapy
With a history dating back to ancient times, the first recorded use of prolotherapy in humans was in 400 BC by Hippocrates, who used a hot poker to repair a dislocated shoulder.
Since then, numerous case studies have been published on the effectiveness of prolotherapy for back and joint pain. These studies also proved that prolotherapy, formerly known as sclerotherapy, generated collagen at the injection site. As the body’s most abundant protein, this collagen formed new tissues, healed damaged ones, and strengthened the joints at a cellular level.
In the 1980s, medical professionals primarily injected dextrose, or a simple sugar made from corn or wheat, into injured joints and ligaments to stimulate irritation. Though this solution effectively addressed chronic pain, the treatment process delivered only an irritant to tissues, requiring more procedures for eventual healing.
Within the past 20 years, prolotherapy has evolved to using human growth hormone (HGH), platelet rich plasma (PRP) and testosterone instead of dextrose. This approach involves expedited healing with fewer procedures, helping you get back to feeling better even sooner.
Prolotherapy at InterveneMD
As one of the few practices to offer prolotherapy near Sullivan’s Island, SC, our expert providers take a comprehensive approach to pain. We go one step further with prolotherapy by using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for a more targeted immune response. By injecting a serum rich in platelets into damaged tissues, our experts can stimulate a stronger healing reaction, and subsequently, longer-lasting results.
We also administer prolotherapy injections in the tissues surrounding your injury—not just in your damaged joints and ligaments. By treating your injury as a functional unit, prolotherapy can increase overall mobility and help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
Our experts believe that combining treatments is the key to a better recovery. We offer a comprehensive pre- and post-prolotherapy program consisting of the following treatments:
- Peptide therapy – Oral, injectable and topical therapies for improved cellular healing and recovery.
- Vasper exercise – Combines cooling, compression, and low-impact exercise to strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Also improves platelet quality prior to the procedure
- Shockwave therapy – Transmits high-energy acoustic shockwaves to the source of your pain to stimulate the formation of blood vessels for better blood flow, and better healing.
- Ozone therapy – Reduces inflammation and increases oxygenation of tissues for improved healing
This treatment plan runs 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your prolotherapy injections, ensuring you make an optimal recovery. We can also customize your plan to your unique health and wellness goals.
Am I a good candidate for prolotherapy?
The best candidates for prolotherapy near Sullivan’s Island are those experiencing joint, muscular, or ligament pain. This includes athletes with nagging sports injuries and individuals with chronic pain conditions.
Our experts also recommend prolotherapy to patients who have achieved no significant pain relief from treatments like physical therapy or steroid injections, or those who want to avoid steroid exposure altogether
Though prolotherapy can treat discomfort and instability in most patients, not everyone is an ideal candidate for the treatment. We recommend consulting your provider if you have any of the following conditions:
- Complete ligament or tendon tears
- Severe osteoarthritis
- Certain autoimmune diseases
- Bleeding disorders
To determine if prolotherapy can best support your rehabilitative needs, schedule a consultation with one of our providers.
The InterveneMD Treatment Process
At InterveneMD, our experts understand the impact chronic pain can have on your well-being. You deserve to live life free from debilitating aches and pains, and our providers want to help you make a full recovery.
Now is the time to restore function and live fully. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect from prolotherapy near Sullivan’s Island.
Consultation
To begin your prolotherapy treatment process, you will first schedule a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Todd Joye or Jen Pedersen, PA-C. With over 30 years of combined experience practicing orthopedic and spine medicine in Charleston, our providers listen carefully as you describe how your pain affects your day-to-day life. We ask about your medical history, medications you’re taking, and other treatment methods you’ve tried in the past.
After gaining a better understanding of your health needs, we will work together to create your personalized prolotherapy treatment plan. Our providers may also recommend additional treatments based on your pain level and wellness goals.
Procedure
Before beginning your prolotherapy procedure, you’ll take a mild sedative to calm your nerves and keep you comfortable throughout the treatment. Dr. Joye then marks your areas of maximal tenderness before cleaning and prepping your injection sites.
From there, Dr. Joye injects HGH and/or PRP and/or ozone into your affected tissues according to your treatment plan. This process takes approximately 30-60 minutes to complete, depending on the size of your treatment area.
Recovery
You may experience a pain flare-up or discomfort within 5 to 7 days of your prolotherapy procedure. This inflammatory response is a normal part of the healing process and indicates that your injections are working as intended.
Our providers recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol to treat this discomfort. We recommend staying away from NSAIDS, or anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, for 1 to 2 weeks after your procedure to avoid compromising your healing response.
Do not participate in high-intensity activities like running and biking for 3 to 14 days after your procedure. Our providers help you create a detailed rehabilitation plan during your initial consultation.
Results
It can take up to 4 months for your body to fully respond to prolotherapy near Sullivan’s Island, SC. Dr. Joye may recommend anywhere from 1 to 5 prolotherapy procedures, depending on how you respond to each round of injections.
Results from prolotherapy injections last a few months to multiple years, depending on your injury and treatment plan. We may recommend additional maintenance treatments if you continue to experience discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still searching for answers before you schedule your prolotherapy consultation? Here are a few more details to inform your treatment decision.
Is prolotherapy safe?
Prolotherapy is a safe and effective procedure when performed by a trained medical professional.
After serving as the Medical Director of Pain Management at Bon-Secours St. Francis Hospital, Dr. Todd Joye moved his practice to InterveneMD to help patients receive high-quality procedures without the extensive (and expensive) hospital stays.
Additionally, our providers have dedicated their careers to perfecting procedures designed to help patients heal chronic pain holistically. We’ll stop at nothing to ensure you receive the treatment you need to leave pain in the past.
Is prolotherapy covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, prolotherapy is not covered by insurance.
However, InterveneMD offers affordable payment plans with CareCredit, helping you access the treatments you need to alleviate pain. Your CareCredit card allows you to pay for your treatments over time—all with an easy application and no impact on your credit score.
We recommend reaching out to one of our experts to learn how CareCredit can make your prolotherapy payments more manageable.
Are there any risks associated with prolotherapy?
Although generally considered a well-tolerated treatment when performed by a professional, there are some minor risks associated with prolotherapy injections. We recommend alerting your provider if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- New or worsened pain
- Stiffness
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
Your provider will run through the potential risks and side effects of prolotherapy during your initial consultation.
Say Goodbye to Chronic Pain With Prolotherapy
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your time and energy to find the right pain solutions. When arthritis, nagging injuries, and chronic pain keep you from enjoying life’s best moments, prolotherapy near Sullivan’s Island, SC helps you get back to the things you love.
Joint and back pain end here. Visit our website or give us a call to schedule your consultation.
Interested in rehabilitation treatments like Vasper therapy and altitude training? Check out our latest blogs to determine if these treatments are right for you.
