What is prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is the injection of dextrose solution into a painful or injured joint. The solution stimulates a targeted inflammatory response. This inflammation increases blood circulation to the area, triggering the body to ignite numerous healing pathways, including collagen production, and tissue repair. The benefits can include significant decreases in pain, improved joint function, range of motion, strength and mobility, and decreased risk of re-injuring the area.
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Dr. Boudreau is BC-certified in Advanced Injection Therapies (part A), with training and certification in the following therapies:
- Prolotherapy
- Trigger Point Injections
- Neural therapy
- Biotherapy
- Mesotherapy
- Perineural Subcutaneous Injection
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy
(Note: Dr. Boudreau does not currently provide PRP treatments.)
Some of the conditions that typically see the greatest benefits include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lateral epicondylitis (“tennis elbow”)
- Medial epicondylitis (“golfer’s elbow”)
- Acute and chronic joint pain, often stemming from tendon or ligament injuries (for example, MCL/ACL sprains, strains and tears of the knee)
- Muscular tension or discomfort
- Plantar fasciitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Bursitis
Dr. Boudreau, ND focuses his treatments on the following areas:
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles & Feet
- Shoulders
- Elbows
- Wrists & Hands
For maximum benefit, treatments are often combined with other supportive therapies including: nutritional counselling, natural supplements, acupuncture, and gentle, non-invasive techniques such as Reiki.
How many treatments are needed?
Dr. Boudreau always provides patients with an individualized treatment plan, including with varied frequencies and durations of therapy depending on their needs. However, prolotherapy sessions are most often scheduled every 2-4 weeks. Once there is sustained improvement, treatments can be every 4-8 weeks, ideally until the joint issue is resolved. Maintenance injections may be beneficial thereafter.
Does it hurt?
As injections are often administered to areas already experiencing pain, there is the possibility of a small amount of discomfort during treatments. This is party due to the fact that treatments are aimed at increasing blood flow to the problem area and generating an inflammatory response. However, any discomfort usually dissipates quickly. Following the treatment, there may also be a period of muscular tightness or a typically dull ache, which may resolve within a few hours. To minimize the risk of discomfort, the smallest diameter (highest gauge) needles possible are used, and the dextrose solution is also commonly mixed with a mild analgesic (pain-relieving) agent, such as procaine.
Is it covered by my insurance?
Patients with extended health benefits that include naturopathic services should be eligible for partial or full reimbursement for their visits (depending upon amount of coverage, etc).
To learn more about Advanced Injection Therapies, please contact us at Aster Wellness or schedule an appointment with Dr. Boudreau.