We’ve talked at length about how Prolotherapy can save someone from surgery. We recently followed up with a patient who experienced just that – Prolotherapy to his low back saved him from a surgery recommended by his doctor at the Mayo clinic. Tony was a 64 year-old self-employed man with low back pain. He had just accomplished the excellent feat of losing 40 pounds through healthy eating and exercise. As his physical activity level increased he began to notice some back pain. Over the course of two years the low back pain increased as did pain in his right thigh. He couldn’t stand long or walk much without the pain kicking in. He had shrunk about two inches in stature and knew his low back was in bad shape. Tony headed to the Mayo Clinic for some answers.
Low Back Surgery
In December 2010 Tony visited the Mayo Clinic and was diagnosed with lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis. In other words, the doctor believed Tony’s spinal cord was narrowing and putting pressure on the nerves and he discovered one of Tony’s lumbar vertebrae had slipped out of place. He was also told that the spinal fluid was low. They recommended back surgery to place a rod in his back. Seeking out a second opinion, a friend referred Tony to Dr. Hauser at Caring Medical.
Prolotherapy for the Low Back
When Tony first came to see us in late December 2010 he was taking two narcotic medications for his pain and an epilepsy medication for the nerve pain down his leg. In addition to low back pain he had pain, tingling and numbness down his right thigh. He often had to take breaks while walking and squat down to alleviate the pain. Dr. Hauser examined Tony’s low back and determined that Prolotherapy could indeed help and estimated a total of six to seven treatments. Dr. Hauser treated Tony with 80 injections of dextrose Prolotherapy strengthened with manganese. He prescribed him a strong pain reliever and muscle relaxer to replace the narcotic and epilepsy meds. He also recommended that Tony wear an SI belt and try swimming for activity and movement.
Course of Prolotherapy Treatment for the Low Back
Tony told us that about four days after his first treatment he felt his low back strengthening. He returned once a month for the same Prolotherapy treatment. By the third treatment he was much better, walking longer distances and engaging in core workouts and light weights. By the sixth treatment he was significantly better. His pain level went from an 8/10 to a 3/10. He was walking a couple of miles with no pain, was able to play with his grandkids all day, and was slowly increasing his exercise. Dr. Hauser was happy with Tony’s progress and recommended taking two months off in between treatment number six and seven. By Tony’s seventh visit to Caring Medical he was biking, lifting weights, and engaging in core exercises. At this point Dr. Hauser felt Tony needed core strengthening and was ready for more exercise. Tony found a trainer, Jim Tribolet of Chicago in Shape, and began a workout schedule. After a few months of core strengthening he became almost pain free.
In a follow-up conversation, Tony told us:
“I don’t think about my back anymore. Dr. Hauser saved me time, money and I got a lot of my life back in being able to walk around, play with grand kids, cook in the kitchen and take long walks. Everything Dr. Hauser said came true. Almost to the month where he said I’d back to normal. The treatments and his advice made my back stronger so I was able to exercise again.”
.jpg)
And a few weeks later, he reported:
“I recently spent a week with nieces and nephews in Orlando going to Disney Parks. Guess what………NO ISSUES. I carried the kids here and there and walked all day. Kind of scary. Thank Dr. Hauser. I am doing well.”
Tony is just one example of someone who was saved from a life-altering surgery. Back surgery is often not the answer to low back pain. Prolotherapy often is the answer. For more on Prolotherapy for low back pain, visit our blog, Facebook page and Twitteraccounts or contact us directly.