By jonbean on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 08:07 pm:

I've had four prolotherapy treatments with dextrose. The 2d really "hit the spot" and left bruises up and down the LH side of my lower back, where my pain is felt. By the second week, I was stablized and feeling great. The other treatments, however, didn't seem to "hit the spot" and failed to create bruising.

Is bruising a sure-fire sign that the doctor is hitting the right ligaments? If there is no bruising, does that mean that particular treatment was a failure?

By traceyt on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 07:58 pm:

I am reading all the comments on this site and am baffled by a lot of information. This is my opinion and is based on my research and experience with this treatment. Bruising is from hitting the veins on the way in. One person mentioned building up scar tissue in his shoulder. That is not what prolo does. It helps regenerate new ligament tissue. Dextrose shots are not what makes the ligaments feel better. The solution is used to damage, rough up. or irritate the ligament so the bodies immune response heals it strengthening and tightening the ligament. The stronger the solution the more "damage" is done. The average person who has a sports injury takes 4-6 times to heal. A person with hypermobility is going to take more sessions. If your problems are with a peticular nerve, then no prolo is not going to work and you are wasting your money.
I suffer from HMS. I was not diagnosed until the age of 30. My neck constantly subluxed and locked up. Since having dextrose based prolo my neck hasn't locked up in over 1.5 years and my severe pain is dramatically decreased. 1 session on my wrist helped. I felt no improvement until after the 4th session on my neck. I have had 8 on my neck and upper back. He did the 50-100 injections each time. My Dr., who is in Alabama of all places, told me that mri shows that more tissue is regenerated. I can feel more tissue in my neck where it used to be skin on bone. Of course the shots hurt. No where near as much as my average daily pain was. Yes you are sore for 3 days afterward. Thats part of the healing process. $450 a session WOW. My Dr. just went up to $200 and I am not happy about that. $450 I would have to suffer. What a crock sorry I can only help you if your rich!???WTF? As far as other drs speaking out against prolotherapy. I find that they aren't educated about it. Most dr's have tunnel vision. They are taught what they are taught and screw everything else. Most are giving opinions on a procedure they know little or nothing about. My chiro scoffed at it until he saw how much it helped me then he tried it. Then referred his chiroparctor buddy who drives 4 1/2 hours for the treatments. So HA! My GYN tried to talk bad about it, when it was obvious he didn't know jack about it. It interesting to read others opinions on this. I am glad I didn't find this site first though. Take care Take control!