BACK PAIN BLOG

My doctor doesn’t know about Prolotherapy.
He wants me to have surgery. What should I do? Read More

I’m considering disc surgery. What is your opinion?
A. There is rarely any need for a quick decision about back surgery. In almost all cases, even the surgical candidates, pain will gradually diminish over a period of several months. In severe herniated discs, surgery may be warranted. Read more

I am in a lot of pain and needed to escalate my pain medication to narcotic strength. Can I be helped?
A. Yes you can be helped, but it will only happen after you stop taking the narcotic pain medication.
Read more
­one reader comment

My doctor suggested an “epidural” shot for my pain.
Is this a good idea? Read more

Is physical therapy or massage going to help?
Physical therapy is the major component of the orthopedist’s “conservative” approach to low back patients. Our experience is that the results are often disappointing in chronic back patients. Read more

What are the signs of spinal stenosis?
Dear Back Blog: While the majority of back conditions are made worse by sitting and are better standing up, patients with stenosis of the spinal canal have the exact opposite symptoms. Read more

Can I see a Chiropractor?
We discourage repetitive “high velocity” (manual “cracking”) types of adjustments in patients receiving Prolotherapy since this can re-stretch already lax ligaments. Read more

Is it necessary to have an X-ray or imaging study to do Prolotherapy?
A. These are usually unnecessary in the workup of acute onset back conditions, and are generally not required for a trial of Prolotherapy in most chronic cases that we see. Read more

Physical Therapy and Prolotherapy
I had Prolotherapy in 2003 after an on the job injury and re-injury during worker's compensation therapies. I was reluctant to do so because it isn't "main stream" therapy But I am so glad that I did. I was re-injured in 2004 in a car wreck and had a "booster" to the original Prolotherapy. Now in early 2006 I still have muscle weakness that is bringing back a less than before pain in the area. I started PT today and am hoping that by strengthening the muscles in the general area of the previous Prolotherapy so long ago, will lessen my pain and increase my flexibility. Can you comment on this? Read more

Prolotherapy Helped! Now, Which Exercises Can I Do?
If one suffers from ligament laxity which is definitely helped with Prolotherapy (at least in my case), who determines the correct type of strengthening exercises to do in order to strengthen the core to hopefully prevent the lumbar ligaments from being strained again? Read more
­one reader comment

Comment - Prolotherapy and Rolfing
Comment from a web visitor: I have suffered from a tightness around the "prolo'd" area that I describe as sutures pulling, especially when trying to roll over in bed. Myofascial release (Rolfing) really helped a lot and actually alleviated the problem without affecting the prolo'd area.

Added comment from Ross Hauser, M.D.
Sometimes muscle spasms develop after Prolotherapy because to get to the ligaments, vertebrae, pubis or whatever structure Prolotherapy is being done on. the Prolotherapist must stick the needle through the muscle. Easy ways to reduce these muscle spasms include massage, heat and hot epsom salt baths. Sometimes injecting anesthetics into the muscles is necessary (Neural Therapy).

I have a herniated disc on T3-4
I have a herniated disc on T3-4. I have severe pain in my right shoulder blade. The neurosurgeon said I could live with the pain or have surgery which would require going in through my chest to get to the spine. Has anyone tried prolotherapy for this condition and if so, how effective was it? 

Dear Back Blog: We have treated disc problems in the thoracic area (similiar to yours) with Prolotherapy. Generally it is very successful. You can read more here: thoracic outlet syndrome and Degenerative Disc Disease.

Answered by Ross Hauser, M.D.
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What would cause my whole spine to feel stressed?
The whole right side of my body feels like it is being pulled tight from my neck to my sit down bones and a tight pulling feeling in my pelvic floor area. Read more

Active Release Technique
Q. The chiropractor I saw for my neck and shoulder pain uses a clicker device and does Active Release Technique. He said this is very safe. I was worse after 2 visits. He said, sometimes you have to get worse before you get better. My prolo Dr. told me to find someone who does ART, so I did, but the chiropractor insists on doing the adjustments also. Any opinion if I should continue or not? I have a C-6 nerve compression from heriated disc and stenosis. Both MRI and Nerve Block test was Positive.

Dear Back Blog: Many doctors who do Active Release Technique do not manipulate at the same visit. Sounds like your Prolo doctor wants you just to get Active Release Technique. So find a chiropractor who does that before giving up on it. Hopefully you are getting a large portion of your neck Proloed. You should also consider a nerve block and and an inversion table. Some patients with cervical radiculopathy do well by hanging upside down for a few minutes each day. Discuss this with your doctor.

Answered by Ross Hauser, M.D.
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Disclaimer: The physician you are visiting has had the benefit of performing medical examinations and laboratory tests to determine the degree of your symptoms. Important tools in not only prescribing a treatment plan but also in determining your response. If you have concerns about your treatment, please direct your questions to your physician because that is the proper course to take. Prolotherapy may not be effective for every individual and there are risks involved, these risks should be discussed with your physician. Results achieved with some may not be typical of all. Please consult a physician.