A large percentage of Americans are now working primarily from home, and while this offers many perks, it also has certain disadvantages. For many, the switch to a home office brought on or made preexisting lower back pain much worse. If you haven’t gotten the relief you need using NSAIDs or a heating pad, then prolotherapy can offer a stronger, non-invasive solution that has already helped countless people in your situation. Could it be exactly what you’re looking for? You can learn more about this option in today’s blog.
What is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy works using a simple concept that has actually been around since the Ancient Greeks. Basically, the idea is to slightly irritate the tissues in an injured area, and this causes the body to focus its healing abilities on it. Today, prolotherapy involves injecting a solution consisting of Novocain and dextrose into a damaged ligament, tendon, or muscle. The Novocain numbs the area, and the sugar kickstarts a small inflammatory response that forces the body to start repairing itself right where it’s needed.
The Benefits of Prolotherapy
The reason prolotherapy is becoming more popular is because it has all the benefits of a fast treatment combined with the lasting results of a more robust one. It allows a doctor to target the exact tissues that are at the root of someone’s pain, and rather than just lessening unpleasant symptoms, the tissues are being repaired, which leads to a permanent reduction in symptoms.
Plus, prolotherapy only has mild side effects (slight swelling and soreness at the injection site for a few days) compared to more powerful painkillers, and it is several times less expensive compared to surgery. Also, it allows a person to maintain their daily life without having to take time off to recover.
Prolotherapy for Lower Back Pain
For someone with lower back pain, prolotherapy can be extremely effective. After performing an exam, the doctor can determine the source of someone’s pain, and if it’s due to a damaged ligament, tendon, or muscle, they can apply prolotherapy right where it’s needed. The patient will notice a difference over the course of a few weeks, and they will eventually return to the doctor to receive further treatments. The number of sessions needed to achieve complete relief is different from person to person, but the ultimate goal is to eliminate the problem that is leading to the pain, which can be life-changing for many people.
Needless to say, working from home brings unique challenges, and the last thing you need to deal with is lower back pain. Rather than going through bottle after bottle of medication or even going under the knife, know that prolotherapy offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive solution.
About the Author
Dr. Paul Tortland is a double board-certified physician in sports and regenerative medicine, and he has been using prolotherapy to take care of professional, college, and amateur athletes for decades. He has helped hundreds of people overcome their back pain, and he’s eager to do the same for you. To learn more about prolotherapy and the other solutions he offers, click here to schedule a consultation.