The Response of Modern Medicine
Traditional modern medical treatment includes rest, ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy and cortisone injections into the subacromial space. Rest and ice are two of the components of a typical sports medicine treatment protocol used for injuries as well as other conditions called RICE. Unfortunately, RICE treatment actually hinders the healing of soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, and certainly does not address the root of the problem. Likewise, physical therapy does not help heal the affected ligaments and tendons. In other words, although these treatments may help temporarily, they do not address the underlying cause and the problem eventually returns. In addition, degenerative fraying and tearing of the tendon may occur with constant irritation of the tendon.
The use of steroids and anti-inflammatory medications is also common in treating rotator cuff tendonitis. However, in the long run, these drugs may do more damage than good. Although cortisone shots and anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to produce short-term pain benefit, both result in long-term loss of function and even more chronic pain by actually inhibiting the healing process of soft tissues and accelerating cartilage degeneration. Plus, long-term use of these drugs can lead to other sources of chronic pain,allergies and leaky gut syndrome.
When all else fails, patients who experience rotator cuff tendonitis are usually referred to a surgeon for arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic surgery removes bone spurs and inflamed tissue around the shoulder. While small tears can be treated with arthroscopic surgery, larger tears would require open surgery through a larger incision to repair the torn tendon. Unfortunately, surgery often makes the problem worse. Surgeons will use x-ray technology as a diagnostic tool, which does not always properly diagnose the pain source. And decisions to remove cartilage tissue will most commonly result in arthritis.
The Natural Medicine Approach to Rotator Cuff Tendonitis A better approach is to strengthen the ligaments and the tendinous insertions of the rotator cuff and deltoid with Prolotherapy, and to use herbal supplements. This combined with the gradual re-strengthening of the rotator cuff muscles promise an excellent chance for a full recovery and full performance. In the event that surgery is truly necessary because a rotator cuff tear has become large enough to produce profound weakness in the shoulder, Prolotherapy is an excellent post-operative treatment to improve tissue strength and overall recovery.
Chronic pain is most commonly due to tendon and ligament weakness, as is the case with rotator cuff tendonitis, or cartilage deterioration. The safest and most effective natural medicine treatment for repairing tendon, ligament and cartilage damage is Prolotherapy. In simple terms, Prolotherapy stimulates the body to repair painful areas. It does so by inducing a mild inflammatory reaction in the weakened ligaments and cartilage. Since the body heals by inflammation, Prolotherapy stimulates healing.
Prolotherapy offers the most curative results in treating chronic pain. It effectively eliminates pain because it attacks the source: the fibro-osseous junction, an area rich in sensory nerves. What’s more, the tissue strengthening and pain relief stimulated by Prolotherapy is permanent!
Caring Medical is a full time Prolotherapy doctor’s office. We have successfully treated all of the conditions we write about. This is why patients travel from across the country and internationally to be treated by our Prolotherapy physician Dr. Ross Hauser. The difference is in the care, technique, and experience you get with Dr. Hauser and team at Caring Medical.
The treatment regimens suggested here are based on the experience of Caring Medical. They do not apply to every case or condition. A person using these recommendations without the aid of a personal physician does so at their own risk.
This information is provided for informational purposes only. It is essential to have your condition evaluated by your own personal physician.
For an appointment with Ross Hauser, M.D., please call 708-848-7789. or email us at scheduling@caringmedical.com.
