Medical Research and Prolotherapy

Unresolved Neck Pain
The Hemwall-Hackett technique of dextrose Prolotherapy used on patients who had an average duration of four years eleven months of unresolved neck pain who were eighteen months out from their last Prolotherapy session was shown in this observational study to improve their quality of life. They reported less pain, stiffness, crunching sensation, disability, depressed and anxious thoughts, medication and other pain therapy usage, as well as improved walking ability, range of motion, sleep, exercise ability, and activities of daily living. Therefore, Prolotherapy is a treatment that should be highly considered for people suffering with unresolved neck pain.

PROLOTHERAPY STUDY CONFIRMS WHAT Prolotherapy doctorS ALREADY KNEW:
PROLOTHERAPY IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE FOR
PEOPLE WITH TENDINOSIS
The October 2007 issue of the American Journal of Radiology published an article entitled Sonigraphically Guided Intratendinous Injection of Hyperosmolar Dextrose to Treat Chronic Tendinosis of the Achilles Tendon: A Pilot Study

Medical Research and Prolotherapy
Although chronic pain has many causes, the vast majority of chronic pain sufferers have loose joints caused by ligament weakness. This is evidenced by George S. Hackett, M.D.'s research study described in the third edition of his book, Ligament and Tendon Relaxation Treated by Prolotherapy, published in 1958. The study consisted of the following:

The Dangers Of Prolotherapy
In now over 45 years, no serious side effects from Prolotherapy have been reported in the medical literature despite millions of Prolotherapy treatments given. In my opinion, Prolotherapy is not dangerous, Prolotherapy cures chronic pain.

Why Isn't There More Prolotherapy Research?
Before double-blinded studies, doctors would ask patients if they felt better. If patient after patient told the physician they felt better, than it was presumed and accepted that the therapy was effective. If it was a new therapy, then it was taught doctor to doctor and eventually it was taught in medical schools. If this was still the standard upon which medical therapies were judged, then clearly Prolotherapy would be taught in all the medical schools, but it is not. Why not?

How Safe is Prolotherapy
In his study published in 1961, Abraham Myers, M.D., states that in treating 267 patients with low back pain with and without sciatica from May 1956 to October 1960 "over 4,500 Prolotherapy injections have been given without the occurrence of any complication."

The History of Prolotherapy
The concept of Prolotherapy originated in the non-surgical treatment of hernias, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids, all conditions which are due to connective tissue weakness. If the connective tissue in the veins becomes weakened, hemorrhoids and varicose veins form. Weakness in the collagen, of course, causes ligament laxity and tendon degeneration with resultant chronic pain. Most of the early innovators in injection treatment method were surgeons who were looking for methods to improve surgical outcomes or replace surgery with more conservative methods. The injection of hernias, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids was called Sclerotherapy, because the injection "sclerosed," or scarred, the area.

Medical Study Abstracts