Prolotherapy Overview
The term Prolotherapy was originated in 1956 by George S. Hackett, M.D who is known as the "father of Prolotherapy.”
 Dr. Hackett defines Prolotherapy:
"The treatment consists of the injection of a solution within the relaxed ligament and tendon which will stimulate the production of new fibrous tissue and bone cells that will strengthen the weld of fibrous tissue and bone to stabilize the articulation (where the bone and ligament meet) and permanently eliminate the disability. To the treatment of proliferating new cells, I have applied the name Prolotherapy from the word 'Prolo' (Latin) meaning offspring; 'proliferate' - to produce new cells in rapid succession (Webster’s Dictionary). My definition of Prolotherapy as applied medically in the treatment of skeletal disability is 'the rehabilitation of an incompetent structure by the generation of new cellular tissue.'"
Dr. Hackett arrived at the conclusion that injured ligaments were the primary cause of chronic pain, and injured tendons were the second most common cause. He referred to this weakness in the ligaments and tendons as laxity.
Prolotherapy stimulates the repair of injured tissues
Prolotherapy treatments involve the injection of solutions that stimulate new tissue growth at the junction between the ligaments and tendons and the bone. Most things break down at a junction site because this is the weakest part of the structure. This is especially true in weight-bearing joints. A good example of this is when the leg on a table wobbles. This is typically due to a loose connection where the leg attaches to the table. By tightening the attachment, the table becomes more stable.
Dr. Hackett used the word “weld” which is a very accurate description of Prolotherapy. This regenerative injection technique welds the ligament and tendon tissue to the bone, making it stronger. When welding steel, for example, the welder is applying a very hot probe or flame to melt two pieces of metal together. Two large pieces of metal would require welding many areas all along the long seam. Why do so many spots need to be welded? The reason is to make a stronger connection in all of the areas. If one area weakens due to wear and tear, the others will hold the structure together. This is how the concept of Prolotherapy developed and is how we come up with the definition of the word Prolotherapy.
Injured tissue(s) must be treated in order for the pain that they cause to be eliminated. Prolotherapy causes the proliferation of new ligament and tendon tissue exactly where the Prolotherapy injections are given. It is just like spot welding as described above. The more injections, the stronger the weld.
Dr’s Hackett, Hemwall, and Hauser:
.jpg) Dr. Hackett taught the technique to Dr. Gustav Hemwall in the 1950s. Dr. Hemwall trained Dr. Ross Hauser in the 1990s. The legacy of experience is monumental here in this office. Dr. Hauser has extensively trained Danielle Steilen, MMS, PA-C who he practices with today. Together, Dr. Hauser and PA Steilen see patients for Prolotherapy full time at Caring Medical, performing what’s called “Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy” or “Comprehensive Prolotherapy” using the method outlined by its originator and primary protégé.
Comprehensive Prolotherapy at Caring Medical
Our Prolotherapy doctor, Ross Hauser, and PA, Danielle Steilen, offer Comprehensive dextrose Prolotherapy as well as an individualized approachto each patient based on their medical history, level of injury, desired outcome goals, and overall health status. Basic Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy using a gentle dextrose-Sarapin based proliferant solution is tremendously successful in 85-90% of the cases seen at Caring Medical. For those with more difficult situations, severe osteoarthritis, torn tissues such as the meniscus or labrum, or sports injuries requiring quick return to the sport, stronger solutions can include added minerals, hormones, platelet rich plasma (PRP), or a patient’s own stem cells from fat or bone marrow.
We specialize in pain (both chronic and acute), sports injuries, and complement that with natural medicine. We see the difficult cases, as well as the simple ones. We will look at your whole health and get you back to doing what you love to do, using the simplest, least invasive, reasonably priced methods possible. We invite you to read more about our work in the field of Prolotherapy throughout this website. We have a lot of great information here for you! We have also published Prolotherapy research based on our results in the Journal of Prolotherapy, Practical Pain Management, the Foot and Ankle Online Journal, the Open Rehabilitation Journal,among others.
If you have any further questions for us or one of our Prolotherapy practitioners, do not hesitate to contact us.
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