Vitality Blog

Prolotherapy Injections

Prolotherapy is back at the Vitality Clinic! Dr. Kaleigh Anstett is a Naturopath certified in Prolotherapy Injections and is serving Downtown Vancouver and Yaletown.

Prolotheray, or regenerative joint injection therapy, is a natural method that decreases joint degeneration and inflammation via the strengthening of connective tissues.  A mixture of dextrose and lidocaine – a sugar and anesthetic respectively, are injected into and around injured joints.

Once injured, the body naturally becomes inflamed.  During this process the immune system rebuilds structures such as ligaments, tendons and joint capsules.  This process typically lasts 3-4 weeks before dissipating.  If the original injury was severe, complete tissue repair may not occur within this 3-4 week window. Joints, tendons and ligaments that haven’t had the opportunity to completely heal may cause pain, ligament laxity and increased risk of re-injury.

Once injected, dextrose stimulates a natural inflammatory response, recruiting immune mediators to the weakened or injured area. This immune reaction results in the rebuilding of connective tissue. With time, and repeated injections, areas of weakened, lax or inflamed connective tissue continue to heal via this natural inflammation process.
Typically, prolotherapy is repeated every 3-4 weeks. Most patients require between 4-12 treatments, and usually notice improvement after 3-4 treatments. Since the goal of treatment is to strengthen weakened connective tissue, results are not immediate, but lasting once achieved.  It is recommended that patients continue supportive care such as soft tissue manipulation, acupuncture and chiropractic care as their injury heals to improve outcomes.

Conditions that typically respond well to prolotherapy include: partial tendon and ligament tears, ligament laxity or sprain, partial tendon tears or pain at muscle attachments, and osteoarthritis.

Prior to initiating treatment you will be thoroughly assessed to determine whether you’re a candidate for prolotherapy injections.

Dr. Kaleigh Anstett,
Vancouver Naturopath and Certified in Prolotherapy

• Posted: August 21, 2015
• |  by: Dr. Crysta Serne
• |  Categories: Vitality Blog
• |  Tags: Dextrose,  Injections,  Lidocaine,  Naturopath,  Prolotherapy