ProLoZone
This treatment is like prolotherapy, but works on a principle that is different from the way that Prolotherapy works. It is less painful and less comprehensive. Prolozone Therapy is so named because the treatment uses ozone to cause the proliferation, regeneration and rebuilding of new ligament and cartilage tissue in an area where they have become weak.
Because ozone is highly reactive,( Ozone’s unstable nature is what makes it so powerful and stimulating within the body.) supercharged, it is able to stimulate the fibroblastic and chondroblastic cellular activity, thus enhancing the repair cycle by increasing available oxygen and nutrients to the new forming tissue. There is evidence that ozone therapy can mediate the effects of the various growth factors. It also activates the membrane receptors through which growth factors exert their effects.
A prolozone injection contains ozone and various nutrients, which are believed to bypass the inflammatory response and directly stimulate a healing response without triggering inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications are permitted as necessary following injection.
Prolozone is a technique that combines the principles of neural therapy, Prolotherapy, and ozone therapy. The result of this combination is nothing short of remarkable in that damaged tissues can be regenerated, and otherwise untreatable pain can be permanently cured.
Advantages of Prolozone:
- First and foremost, ozone directly stimulates the down regulated oxygen utilization in damaged areas of the body that is at the heart of why these areas don’t heal.
- Secondly, less painful, patient feel immediate improvement (~50% or more).
- Requires fewer sessions.
- Because Prolozone involves the injection of a gas in large volumes which expands into a large area of surrounding tissue, greatly decreases the chance of missing the area of primary involvement. I call it, “Target practicing with a shotgun”. It’s hard to miss the bull’s eye. The effect is that very large area, and difficult to reach areas are treated very well.
- Use of anti-inflammatory medications is not contraindicated, and can in fact be synergistic.
- Prolozone is especially effective when used intra-articularly.
Most Common Problems remedied with Prolozone Therapy: table from JOP 2011 3(2)
Results to Expect
The response to treatment varies from individual to individual and depends upon one’s healing ability and severity of injury. Some people need only one or two treatments, while others may need six or more. The injection process is repeated every 4-6 weeks until maximum improvement is noted. It may take more injections in those that have had severe pain for many years. Each situation requires its own protocol. Please discuss with your physician.
Prolozone Therapy is a safe, natural and often permanent treatment. All the research indicates there are no side effects when properly implemented. It is very satisfying to have someone suffering with pain return with improved symptoms or resolution of their pain issues after a few injections.