By Hilary on Friday, June 02, 2000 - 01:17 pm:

I have read with interest all the various postings and am interested in prolotherapy as a treatment for hypermobility. Does anyone know of a good doctor who gives
this treatment in the UK. It seems that most people who have had the treatment live in the States. Surely it must depend of the experience of the doctor as to the
success? Any advice appreciated.

Best wishes to everyone - Hilary

By Rich on Friday, June 02, 2000 - 01:18 pm:

You are absolutely right. A lot of the success of the treatment depends on the experience of the doctor but you and your body also play a vital role in your recovery.
In Prolotherapy, your own body heals the tissues. The success of treating your hypermobility relies on several factors:

1) Your age - Though any body at any age can heal with prolo, it usually takes a little longer if you are older (4 -6 treatments)
2) Obesity - If you are over weight, this can put extra stress on the newly formed ligament tissues and your results will be hindered. SO if you are over weight, first
lose some weight. This is for your benefit.
3) Hormones - Growth hormone regulates the growth of tissue. Soft tissue healing aill be compromised if hormones are deficient. Hormone levels naturally
decrease with age. Therefore, these hormones may need to be supplemented in order to ensure complete healing. Get your hormone leves tested by a Natural
Medicine Physician
4) Sleep - Sleep is vital to this process. Sleep stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. If you have trouble sleeping, you can try exercises like
walking, or cycling. Melatonin, L-Tryptopahn, valerian root, and gamma hydroxybutyrate are also beneficial sleep aids
5) Blood P.H - If you have what is termed "acid blood", oxygen is not being transported as well and this will compromise healing abilities. Many chronic pain
patients have this acid p.h, to get testes, get a test called Metabolic Typing
6) Water - Most chronic pain sufferers are chronicly dehydrated. Make sure you drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day
7) Nutrition - Collagen synthesis requires specific nutrients like Vitamin C, rion, copper, manganese, calcium, zinc, and various amino acids. A diet lacking in any
of these nutrients will hinder the healing process. Therefore, take a good multivitamin/mineral and when you start the prolo, take a product called Ortho Prolo Max,
it contains specific nutirents that are meant to heal you during prolo. Protein is also a factor. Adequate protein is needed to heal soft tissue injuries so make sure
your diet contains plenty of nuts, seeds, lean meats and even a protein supplement like Whey

You see, there are lots of factors that if properly addressed, will improve your chances of making a complete recovery. As far as finding a prolotherapist in the U.K,
look up "U.K" in the archives. I've seen people reply to that same question. If that doesn't work, call 1-800-RX PROLO (USA) and ask them. If that doesn't work,
look up http://www.prolotherapy.com and you may be able to find it there.

Good Luck

By Charlie on Tuesday, August 01, 2000 - 07:46 am:

From a message asking the same question - please let me know if you have any luck - charliewillbe@bigfoot.com

The way that Prolotherapy helps is that it creates new tissue in the area of injury to strengthen/stabilize the joint.

Based on what you have described you are probably a candidate for Prolotherapy however, an evaluation would be necessary to determine this. I'm afraid we don't currently know of any physicians in the UK. You could visit the web site www.aaomed.org and look under their "physician listing" link and see if they have anyone listed. Otherwise you could look for the state that is closest to you.

By charlie on Tuesday, August 01, 2000 - 08:12 am:

Also try:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/newjan/

Try to phone him or someone who knows about prolo at one of his offices (on website)

Good luck

By Kathie on Monday, September 04, 2000 - 04:18 am:

For those members of the HMSA - Prof Grahame is conducting a clinical trial of prolotherapy in the UK to assess the benefits of the technique. He is currently looking for volunteers to participate in the trial. There should be something about it on the website soon. (http://www.hypermobility.org/research.htm)

By Pat on Wednesday, September 13, 2000 - 09:48 pm:

Does insurance in the US cover prolo?

By Eppie on Monday, September 18, 2000 - 09:02 am:

Not without a HUGE fight!!

By Lucy on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 08:31 am:

I am looking for a prolotherapist/Osteopath in the UK. Can anyone help me? Many thanks, Lucy