What are Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections?

Prolotherapy, also known as Proliferative Therapy, is one of our favorite injection modalities at the Shin Center.  It is time tested, very safe, and highly effective when used by a skilled practitioner.  The main principle of Prolotherapy is to create small pockets of micro-inflammation  using an injected irritant solution.  This area of stimulated inflammation thus causes your body to heal your tissue in a targeted manner.  Our physicians at the Shin Center are experts in deciphering the architecture of your musculoskeletal system, and finding its weak points.  We then aim to correct these weak points using our targeted injection approach, to allow your body to heal itself naturally. 

Ingredients included in our Prolotherapy solution includes Dextrose (the main irritant), Saline, and Lidocaine/Procaine.  This solution has been standardized throughout many decades of scientific research and clinical experience within the medical community. Some side-effects after Prolotherapy injections typically include minor bleeding from the injection, occasional bruising, and muscle soreness for approximately 24-48 hours.   We typically recommend patients to rest after their treatment, and save the exercise/activity for when they feel less sore.  Additionally, we have found that a hot epsom salt bath in the evening after your injection appointment can help to alleviate your soreness, and speed up the recovery process due to the increased peripheral circulation of blood that the hot bath creates. 

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are also a highly effective modality for generating a self-healing response within the body.  These injections are typically the next step up from Prolotherapy, because we use your own blood plasma as the healing signal.  The PRP process includes an initial 10 cc blood draw, then the sample is spun in a centrifuge, thus revealing the platelet rich plasma solution on the surface layer within the vial.  This PRP solution is drawn up into a syringe, and may be injected into the areas of your body that need the most self-generated healing signal.  The PRP solution is very effective, because it is the same blood component that is released during a physical injury to the body.  Your body recognizes the traumatic injury, and works to heal the area immediately. Since PRP can be a stronger signal than Prolotherapy, you may be even more sore and inflamed after the procedure.  Just like Prolotherapy, you should avoid taking any NSAIDS after receiving a PRP injection, since this will counteract the healing process.  You may briefly use ice, and Tylenol if necessary, however the goal is always to have increased blood flow to the area to enable healing.

Using a combination of Prolotherapy and PRP, we have achieved some amazing results for our patients.  If you are interested in speaking more with Dr. Shin or Dr. King about these healing modalities, please give our office a call and schedule a free phone consultation.