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Prolotherapy for Back Pain
What is Prolotherapy for Back Pain?Prolotherapy is a treatment for soft tissue injuries. It is most often used to target ligament laxity in the lumbosacral region. This small area in the lower spine contains several sets of ligaments that are often suspected causes of unresolved chronic lumbar back pain.The lumbosacral ligaments connect the lumbar spine to the sacrum. The sacrum is joined to the ilium and the iliac crest by the sacroiliac ligaments. The lumbar spine is connected to the iliac crest by the iliolumbar ligaments. These 3 sets of ligaments are often blamed for conditions such as sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SJD) and general lower back pain. Prolotherapy for Ligament InjuryA ligament is a sinuous connective tissue that joins 2 bones together. Ligaments are weakest where they actually attach to the bone. These “attachments” are the most common place for an injury to occur. It is this close proximity to the actual bone that causes many cases of misdiagnosed back pain to occur. The actual bone or joint is sometimes blamed for pain that is actually coming from a torn or strained ligament.Prolotherapy for Back Pain ProcedureIn prolotherapy treatment, a natural irritant, such as purified cod liver oil or sugar solution is injected into the injured connective ligament. This irritant stimulates a natural wave of healing in the tissue. New collagen is formed which stiffens up the laxity in the damaged ligament. The ligament is strengthened and tightened, causing the reduction or elimination of the chronic pain. The procedure is fast and relatively painless. It can be done by a trained doctor as an outpatient procedure.Recommendation on Prolotherapy for Back PainProlotherapy is used in many locations of the body for soft tissue pain relief. It can be used in ligaments, tendons and joint capsules to encourage the structure to heal from inside, using the body’s own curative power. The idea of prolotherapy is a good one, yet very little definitive evidence exists if it is truly effective as a cure for back pain. There is positive anecdotal evidence from treatment providers, but not many large scale research projects that show whether prolotherapy truly works at all.There can be side effects and risks to the procedure. Infection is possible and can be serious in the lower back region. The recuperation period is often rather painful, since the goal of the therapy is to IRRITATE the area. Irritation can be very painful in an already sensitive and traumatized ligament. I like the idea of this therapy. I think it has potential to eliminate several causes of unresolved physical back pain. The lower back ligaments are often injured and the damage might be difficult for the body to heal. Prolotherapy for back pain gives the body some “extra incentive” to promote full healing in the damaged ligament. Ask your doctor about prolotherapy. It might just be the answer to your back pain question…
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