Neuroprolotherapy is the injection of a medical-grade sugar solution (such as 5% dextrose) just underneath the skin’s surface to promote the healing of injured nerves. Neuroprolotherapy stops the pain signal and diminishes inflammatory signaling around the nerves.
Other names for neuroprolotherapy include neural therapy, perineural therapy, subcutaneous prolotherapy, or the Lyftogt technique.
This therapy was developed in New Zealand by Dr John Lyftogt who has been using this therapy to treat nerve and musculoskeletal injuries for decades.
Is it painful? Patients may feel a tiny prick as the needle enters the skin, but the needle is very thin and short and treatments are always well tolerated. Dr Bernard doesn’t like getting needles herself, so she always strives for the most comfortable injection session for you possible!
How will I feel afterwards? Most patients feel immediate pain relief to some degree after treatment. Sometimes it takes two to three treatments. After the treatment, you should have no trouble continuing your day
How often do I need treatment? Treatment frequency depends on the condition; however, most individuals require one to two treatments weekly or every two weeks for approximately six treatments.
For which conditions can it be used? Neuroprolotherapy is most often used for nerve injuries (nerve injuries often result in a burning sensation or numbness), post-surgery pain (especially of the knee and hip - even years after surgery!), headaches, low back pain, disc injuries, and injuries to joints/tendons/ligaments/muscles.
What are the side effects? Local bruising, mild discomfort during injections, and swelling. An allergy to the injection solution is possible, but extremely uncommon and the clinic is equipped with the emergency equipment and training that is necessary.
What are the costs? There is a $55-95 visit fee associated with the treatment (covered by most extended health care insurance plans), in addition to $25 for the cost of injection supplies.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is the injection of a medical-grade sugar solution (such as dextrose) into an injured tendon or ligament in order to induce a small irritation to the area. Other solutions such as procaine (an anesthetic), cyclic amino monophosphate (cAMP), and vitamin B12 may also be injected to further enhance the actions of the dextrose. By inducing a small, controlled inflammatory response, the body stimulates its natural healing process to restore function to weakened areas, improve movement and strength, and to reduce pain.
With a proper healing process, dense fibrous tissues (new ligament or tendon fibers) are produced, which strengthen the attachment of ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, and fascial structures. This stabilizes hypermobile (loose) joints and slows the degeneration process.
Prolotherapy is also known as proliferative therapy or regenerative injection therapy and was begun in the in the 1950s by an American surgeon.
Is it painful? Depending on the location and the type of injury, prolotherapy can be uncomfortable, but a local pain reliever (procaine) is injected at the same time in the prolotherapy solution.
How will I feel after the treatment? As the purpose of the injection is to induce a small inflammatory response, individuals tend to feel stiff or mildly sore up to three to five days after treatment.
How often do I need treatment? Treatment frequency depends on the condition and severity of damage; however, most individuals require three to four treatments spaced over one to three weeks.
Can normal activities be resumed immediately after treatment? Generally, patients are able to return to work and light activity after treatment. It is not recommended to perform heavy activity or resume sports until a few days have passed after treatment. Strenuous workouts or sports may need to be stopped or modified for two or three weeks after injections to give the repaired tissue a chance to mature.
For which conditions can it be used? Any injury or damage to tendons and ligaments that causes elongation or stretching can be treated with prolotherapy. This often involves the neck, knee, back, shoulder, elbow, hip, wrist, hand, foot, and ankle. Often these are injuries from sports, repetitive use, poor lifting techniques, and arthritis.
What are the side effects? Local bruising, mild discomfort during injections, and swelling. An allergy to the injection solution is possible, but extremely uncommon. Some individuals feel sore for three to five days after treatment.
What are the costs? There is a $55-95 visit fee associated with the treatment (covered by most extended health care insurance plans), in addition to $30 for the cost of injection supplies.
How is this different from steroid injections? Steroid (cortisone) injections block pain by inhibiting inflammation. Prolotherapy induces a small inflammatory reaction to promote healing. Because prolotherapy promotes healing and tissue regeneration, it is a long-term solution rather than a temporary solution such as drugs or cortisone injections.
Trigger Point Injection Therapy
For tight muscles, especially muscle knots (aka trigger points), a solution of magnesium sulfate can be injected into the affected area to induce a relaxation of the tissue. Between the insertion of the needle, which induces a stretch response and causes the muscle fibers to release, and the injection of the magnesium solution, which acts as a muscle relaxant, the muscle is forced to relax.
What conditions can be treated? Magnesium injections are great for treating migraines, tight muscles, magnesium deficiency/insufficiency, and muscle cramps.
Who should NOT get magnesium injections? Magnesium sulfate is derived from shellfish and should not be used in individuals with any allergy to shellfish. Procaine may be offered as an alternative depending on the condition to be treated.
How often will I require treatment? Magnesium injections are mostly performed on an as needed basis and an oral dose of magnesium (in addition to massage, stretching, proper form during exercise and day-to-day living, etc) is often recommended to prevent further occurrences.
How will I feel during and after treatment? During treatment, a thin needle is inserted into the muscle, which may be uncomfortable depending on the severity of the muscle tightness. When the solution is injected, a mild and temporary burning sensation or pressure may be felt. Treatments are highly tolerable by most and you may ask to stop treatment at any time.
After treatment, individuals may resume light activity, but strenuous workouts or sports may need to be stopped or modified for a day or two to allow the muscle fibers to fully recover.
What are the costs? There is a $55-95 visit fee associated with the treatment (covered by most extended health care insurance plans), in addition to $25 for the cost of injection supplies.