Regenerative Injection Technique

Prolotherapy is a successful method of treating pain and injury, but it goes by many other names. Prolotherapy itself is a term derived from proliferation therapy, further shortened to prolo, and also referred to as regenerative injection technique or therapy (RIT). This name is derived from the details of this procedure. It is designed to regenerate soft tissue, requires injections, and is therapeutic.

RIT begins with an initial series of injections. These injections tend to contain two compounds. The first is an anesthetic that works to numb the area, decreasing pain during injection. The other is an irritant, and can be dextrose (sugar water), a chemical agent, or platelet rich plasma (PRP). What goes into your specific injections will depend on different factors, including your condition, medical history, and other specifics.

These RIT injections are designed to create a series of inflammations in the injured area. This stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, using your own immune system to heal the damage. When an inflammation occurs in the body there is slight swelling. This is representative of the extra blood that is being brought to that area, and the extra nutrients that are being carried with it. The
injections work to create collagen and cartilage, strengthening the soft tissues of the body. As the injured area grows stronger it will also get less painful. RIT works to eliminate pain and damage caused by joint injury.

The regenerative injection technique has been successfully used to treat many conditions. The most common issues that respond to RIT are sprains and strains, tendon and ligament tears, loose joints and arthritis, tendonitis, and other forms of pain. Normal treatments require anywhere from three to six visits, but will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some people feel results after their first injection, while others may be undergoing treatment for a whole year, or more.

Side effects of the regenerative injection technique are limited, making it a popular alternative to invasive surgery. The success rate of RIT is estimated at 80 to 90 percent, which is far higher than that of surgery. After receiving injections some patients complain of stiffness or soreness, but it doesn’t last long. More serious side effects include infection, and back and neck procedures contain the same risks associated with other spinal injection procedures. Consult a prolotherapist to learn more, and to see if RIT is a viable treatment option for you.