Do you have persistent body pain? Have you heard of Prolotherapy?

Do you sometimes have pain in your back, knee, or other joints that doesn't go away no matter how much medication you take? You may have come across a strange term called 'Prolotherapy' while talking to your doctor or looking it up on the internet. It's a new term, so some people may be curious about it. So let's talk today about what it really is, will it help your pain, and what are the pros and cons of it.

What is Prolotherapy, simply put?

Simply put, Prolotherapy is a special injection used to relieve pain. In this, your doctor injects a very small amount of an "irritant" solution into the area of ​​pain, such as your knee or back joint. The most common type of solution used is a sugar-based solution called dextrose.

Now you might be thinking, "Why would you put something in your body that's going to cause another problem when you're already in pain?" That's the theory behind this method. Those who practice this treatment believe that by putting something in your body that's causing a small problem like this, it's going to reactivate our body's natural healing process . It's like giving a little nudge to wake someone up from sleep. It's like giving our body's healing cells a signal that says, "There's a problem here, come and fix it."

This treatment is mainly used for musculoskeletal conditions involving bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues.

Who is this treatment really for?

In fact, no one is saying that "Prolotherapy is absolutely necessary." This is not a standard treatment for any disease. This is an elective treatment. That means, if you want to, you can talk to your doctor and try it.

People who use this treatment use it to reduce pain caused by the following conditions:

• Arthritis: Joint pain and swelling.
• Fibromyalgia: Chronic pain that occurs throughout the body.
• Degenerative disk disease: Pain caused by the degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine.
• Tendinopathy: Pain in the tendons that connect muscles to bones.
• Lower back pain: A common back pain that many people experience.

It is very important to remember: Prolotherapy does not cure these conditions. It is only intended to provide some relief from pain. It is not recommended to stop taking any medications or other treatments your doctor has prescribed for you. If you are considering this, do so in addition to your current treatment and only after consulting your doctor.

How does prolotherapy work? Does it really work?

This is the most important question. As we have discussed before, the theory behind this treatment is that the sugar solution (Dextrose) injected into the body causes the cells in the area to become agitated and begin to repair the damaged tissue around them, in order to deal with the threat. This stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms.

But, the truth is, it's not 100 percent scientifically proven that this process actually works. Some studies have shown that some people who received this treatment experienced a reduction in pain. However, other studies suggest that the reduction in pain may be due to the "placebo effect."

What is the 'Placebo Effect'?

This is a very interesting thing. Imagine that you have a really bad headache. Someone comes to you and says, "Here is the best medicine for a headache, take this and it will go away," and gives you a vitamin pill. You take it with great faith that "this is the best medicine." After a while, your headache really goes away. Here, your pain is not reduced because of the vitamin pill, but because of your faith and mentality that "this will make my illness better."

Scientists say this may sometimes happen with prolotherapy. When we see an injection being given, our brain thinks, "Now the pain will be better." That mental state can make the pain seem to subside.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Prolotherapy?

Before choosing any treatment, it is important to know both the pros and cons. Prolotherapy has both advantages and disadvantages.

What happens before and during treatment?

If you decide to have this treatment, it's good to know how the process works.

Before treatment

Before starting this treatment, you should definitely talk to your doctor. You should tell him everything about the medications you are currently taking and any other illnesses you have. This injection may interact with some of the medications you are taking.

During treatment

During a treatment session, your doctor will inject a dextrose solution into the painful joint, tendon, or ligament. To give the injection in the exact right place, they may also use a scanning device, such as an ultrasound.

This usually doesn't happen all at once. Depending on your condition, you may need to have several injection sessions . You may need to have 3 to 6 injections or more throughout the entire treatment. Your doctor will decide how many sessions you need and how often you should come.

What happens after treatment? When do I need to see a doctor?

One advantage of this treatment is that there is no long recovery time after the treatment. You can continue with your normal activities after receiving the injection.

You may feel a little sore and heavy for a day or two where the injection was given. But that's normal. However, if you're doing any strenuous exercise or sports, it's best to check with your doctor before you start doing those things again.

When to see a doctor immediately

Serious complications after prolotherapy are rare. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

• If the pain increases instead of decreasing, or if new pain develops.
• If the injection site is very swollen .
• If you notice any changes in skin color (blueness, redness).
• If you develop skin lesions or rashes .

If this happens, it could be an infection or an allergy, so it's important to seek medical advice immediately.

Prolotherapy Sinhala, Prolotherapy, Back Pain, Knee Pain, Joint Pain, Pain Management, Arthritis Treatment