When Keith Primeau retired from the Philadelphia Flyers, it wasn't willingly; he had been sidelined by the endless side effects of concussions sustained over the course of his hockey career. Unable to skate, think clearly, or maintain his balance without constant dizziness, Primeau tried several different treatments before finding relief with prolotherapy. He credits the treatment with a vast improvement in his health.
Prolotherapy (also known as Regenerative Injection Therapy, or RIT) treatment consists of a series of homeopathic injections delivered in specific areas of damaged tissue that stimulate the body's natural healing processes. The injections nudge the cytokines of the immune system to naturally repair tissue damage. The solution is normally a combination of an anesthetic and an irritant, usually dextrose or cod liver extract; the irritant creates a tiny amount of inflammation that serves as a signal to the body to repair the tissue.
For Simon Gagne, prolotherapy was a godsend. A dirty hit from another player knocked him off the play roster for seven months; he suffered severe headaches, blurred vision, and neck pain that kept him off the bench with post-concussion symptoms. After almost 30 prolotherapy injections targeting the nerves, muscles and ligaments in his head, neck and shoulders, Gagne was able to return to hockey free of pain and dizziness. “It’s just fun being back to normal and being able to play the game that I love to play,” Gagne said.
Prolotherapy can also be used for other conditions, such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, headaches, rotator cuff tears, and any areas with chronic pain that haven't responded to conventional medical treatment. Consider it as an alternative to going under the knife, or relying on pharmaceuticals - your relief may be a few needles away.
Enjoy this article? Subscribe above and share your enjoyment with your friends, or follow me on Facebook – you’ll be the first to know when the next article is up!
Comments