Post Treatment

After receiving prolotherapy injections, many patients are unsure of what to expect post treatment. Immediately after treatment many patients complain of stiffness and soreness in the area receiving injections. These side effects will not be long lasting, however, and should go away within 24 hours of the procedure. Other than that, you should feel normal post treatment. Some even feel an instant relief to their pain. You will be able to drive and operate machinery as normal, as well as eat and drink normally. Normal activity is fine, and it’s not necessary to change your routine after receiving treatment.

There are three things that people can do which can inhibit the healing process post treatment. It is necessary to understand this in order to avoid the same behavior. While normal activity is perfectly fine, as previously mentioned, be sure not to over exercise the joint. Patients who exercise obsessively will experience bad results, and may even damage the area further. Discuss exercising with your prolotherapist to learn about what an appropriate and safe amount of post treatment exercise is for your condition.

Another thing that can prevent healing through prolotherapy is taking anti-inflammatory drugs. These can be prescription pain medications, or over the counter pills like Tylenol and Advil. The chemicals in these drugs are designed to prevent inflammation, which is the basis of healing through prolotherapy. By preventing inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications prevent extra blood and
nutrients being transferred to the injury, and therefor also prevent the body from naturally healing itself. The last thing people tend to do which leads to negative results is cutting treatment short. It is necessary to complete injections until the area is fully healed for best results.

Some conditions may require post treatment equipment. Foot injuries, for example, are very delicate. Those receiving prolotherapy for foot pain will receive a boot to wear after receiving their injections. The boot will keep the foot in a neutral position and allow the muscles of the heel to experience repair without being over exercised. It is very easy to strain parts of the foot while walking. For the quickest healing, a boot may be necessary.

Post treatment complications are very limited with prolotherapy injections. Every patient is different and each condition may require a different post treatment plan. To be certain about what to expect in your case, please set up a consultation with a prolotherapist.