Prolotherapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are precision medicine treatments that offer wide-ranging benefits, including pain relief and faster healing from injuries. At Best Naturopathic Medicine, Board-Certified Naturopathic Doctor Matthew Cavaiola, ND, specializes in natural treatments that improve the mind, body, and spirit all at once. Prolotherapy and PRP can provide remarkable healing and rapid relief through injections of natural substances in the Santa Monica, California, office. Click the online booking link or call the office to schedule your consultation now.

What is prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy involves injections of dextrose and other natural agents. The injections cause localized irritation, which triggers the body’s immune system to immediately start repairs there. This leads to pain relief and a return to normal physical function.

Prolotherapy is the opposite of the cortisone injections that many pain management doctors administer. Cortisone rapidly reduces inflammation but can also deteriorate the tissue over time. Prolotherapy gives you pain-relieving benefits and strengthens the tissue instead of weakening it.

What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?

PRP therapy processes a small amount of your blood to separate and concentrate the platelet layer. Your platelets are the superheroes of healing because they release growth factors.

These growth factors have profound regenerative powers, promoting the healing of damaged joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. PRP therapy injects a massive amount of platelets, far more than you’d get from whole blood, which can bring on faster healing and pain relief.

Just as with prolotherapy, PRP offers long-lasting benefits because it brings on tissue healing and strengthening. In some cases, PRP and prolotherapy combine to maximize your recovery.

What conditions do prolotherapy and PRP treat?

Prolotherapy and PRP treat many conditions that cause chronic and acute pain, including:

• Low back pain due to sacroiliac joint pain or other causes
• Radiating leg pain (sciatica)
• Shoulder pain from conditions like frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears, bursitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Hip pain due to hip bursitis or other causes
• Elbow pain due to tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or bursitis
• Muscle tears
• Tendonitis
• Ligament inflammation and injuries

Prolotherapy and PRP may also treat other injuries or chronic pain-causing conditions. 

When do prolotherapy and PRP take effect?

Prolotherapy and PRP start the healing process right away, but it takes time for your body to rebuild damaged tissue. Most people experience less inflammation and pain within just four to six weeks. Treatment sessions only take about an hour in the Best Naturopathic Medicine office.

Other treatments, such as intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), nutraceuticals, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, can work alongside prolotherapy and PRP to expedite your healing and get you back to a vibrant and active life. 

Prolotherapy and PRP are potent restorative treatments that make you stronger while relieving debilitating pain. To learn more about how these precision medicine treatments can benefit you, call Best Naturopathic Medicine or book a consultation using online scheduling now.