What is Prolotherapy? (Ligamentous Reconstruction by Injection)
Prolotherapy is a non-surgical approach to treating pain and joint weakness.  Prolotherapy involves the injection of irritant solutions into weakened or stretched ligaments, which are a source of chronic pain.  This induces an inflammatory response, which mimics the normal repair sequence of the body.  All injections are done directly onto the ligament-bone junction.  Thus ligaments are "peppered" with multiple injections.  This is very different from trigger point injections or steroid injections in both technique and physiology. 

Prolotherapy offers a safe effective means of treating ligamentous weakness, dysfunction and pain in the chronic patient, which probably represents a significant portion of chronic musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain.  It does require an in depth knowledge of anatomy and training in the use of proper solutions and needle placement.  It can safely be used to relieve dysfunction in any articular ligaments depending on their accessibility.

Treatment involves several injections into the effected area, and repeated until function is retrieved and pain is resolved. 

PROLOTHERAPY patient information (pdf)  

After injection therapy instructions (pdf)  (html)

When can it help?
Prolotherapy has proved useful for treating a variety of injuries and conditions, including:

Am I a Candidate for Prolotherapy?
Dr. Berenbeim has been successfully using Prolotherapy in his practice since 1988.  He recommends that the patient make an appointment for a full evaluation in order to determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for prolotherapy. Every injury is as unique as every individual, which is why an evaluation by a qualified professional is the only way to determine if you are a good candidate for prolotherapy. 

To gain more information on the study of prolotherapy and cases where this treatment method has proved successful, go to www.getprolo.com.

What Patients Are Saying about Prolotherapy:

“I suffered from a serious, painful tendonitis in my elbow.  Dr. Joel Berenbeim performed two prolotherapy treatments.  Miraculously, the tennis elbow was completely healed in 8 weeks.

[I also had a shoulder injury.]  At the suggestion of Dr. Berenbeim I consulted with an orthopedic surgeon who advised that if the pain persisted surgery was the only alternative.  Dr. Berenbeim has given me three prolo treatments.  In 7 weeks I am pain free and have recovered complete use of my shoulder.”            -David B.

“After an on-the-job injury, many tests, procedures, and yes, surgeries, top-of-the-line physicians knew something was very wrong but just could not pin-point the problem.  I did not want to live the rest of my life eating pain pills and not knowing why.  By this time I could barely walk, not to mention standing in lines and sitting.  Dr. Berenbeim started performing the series of prolotherapy.  My body, which looked and felt as if it had been rolled over by a Mac truck, started to feel better.  My gait became stronger.  My smile returned.  And to think, several prior doctors said I would be confined to a wheelchair by my 50th birthday!!!”            -Elinore M.

I was diagnosed with bilateral lateral epicondylitis [in my elbow]. The pain interfered with every activity of daily living and kept me awake at night.  I tried elbow straps, ice, massage therapy and acupuncture.  Dr. Berenbeim injected my elbows and returned my life to me.”         -Peggy N.