Loving Touch now offers Prolo-therapy

Webster's New Collegiate dictionary defines Prolo-therapy as: "The rehabilitation of an incompetent structure, such as ligaments or tendons, by the induced proliferation of new cells."

Prolo-therapy is one key to stimulate the growth and repair of collagen, ligaments and connective tissue. The technique requires small injections of prolo-therapy solution at the site of pain and injury, to stimulate the animal’s own natural healing mechanism. The goal is to rebuild and repair injured connective tissue.

How it works

Proliferative therapy works by a very simple principle. It is the injection of a proliferative solution into the sites of pain and weakness, to stimulate the body's natural healing and repair mechanisms.  To fully understand what makes prolo-therapy work, you must first understand the body's three-part healing process:

When injury occurs, the normal healing process may be incomplete. This can be seen under a microscope by a deficiency of the cells called Fibroblasts. As a result small pain fibers transmit the pain impulse to the brain and an unconscious reflex causes the surrounding muscles to become tightened.  The tightened muscles create more pain, as well as constrict blood supply (and thus restrict the the body's natural transport mechanism which brings necessary repair factors to the area and remove debris and toxins) and a viscous cycle of pain, tightness and constriction ensues.

Prolo-therapy is a simple injection of special prolo-therapy solution at the site of injury. The injection starts a micro inflammatory process at the point of the injection. Inflammation kicks up the immune system and the immune system brings up fibroblasts (small cells that produce collagen). Where ever the small needle is placed and its solution injected, collagen growth is stimulated.  You can think of prolo-therapy as jump-starting a flagging healing process.

What is this "special" solution?

Dextrose is the key ingredient in proliferative therapy as it stimulates fibroblast activity.  Lidocaine or Procaine is included and has a duel purpose resulting in a mild anesthetic effect locally, but more importantly in a neural response. Local anesthetics increase cell membrane electricity and activate the healing process.

B12 if often added to the injection for several benefits:  decreases in some forms of pain; tonic effect and increases in healing by positively balancing membrane electricity.

Holistic Approach  

As you already know, the holistic approach is about treating the whole patient, not just responding to one symptom. Your doctor may suggest any, or all, of the therapies listed below for your pet. Please discuss with your doctor any financial, scheduling or other constraints that may impact the therapies the doctor recommends for your pet.

 1. Prolo-therapy to correct collagen breakdown.

2. Chiropractic to realign subluxation and nerve impingements.

3. Acupuncture to rebalance meridians and release natural endorphins.

4. Laser Therapy to provide photon therapy at injection sites.

5. Homeopathies, to help reduce pain and open detoxification centers.

6. Nutritional Support, including both foods and supplements.

7. Special support for any glandular or organic problems already involved.

Why it may not work

● Too few treatments. Usually a positive response is seen in 1-3 treatments, but a few pets require 4 to 6 or more.

● The solution is not strong enough.

● The points treated were not the source of pain.

● The patient is taking anti-inflammatory medications. Such drugs inhibit the required inflammatory response. Progress may be made despite these medications, but they typically delay or reduce the progress.

● The patient has an underlying healing deficiency. This may be an immune dysfunction, chronic infection, nutritional deficiency, or hormonal imbalance.

Precautions

● While most patients willingly accept prolo-therapy treatment with Loving Touch Animal Center's gentle bedside manner, a few select patients may have to be sedated or anesthetized prior to receiving their treatment.  This decision is best left to the veterinarian.

● There may be some pain or discomfort for a day or two.

● Leash walk for the next 24 hours, only minimal exercise, and certainly no chasing varmints!

Prolo-therapy in Practice

"Prolo-therapy is one of the 'silver bullet' techniques in my practice. Over a more than 12-year period, I have had an exciting 85 to 95% response from good to excellent. These results are judged by excellent pain relief, as well as a return to normal function. The side effects are minimal, and the benefits exceptional, when properly administered by any veterinarian who learns the technique..."

Roger L. DeHaan, DVM, MTS, CVC

We proudly offer Prolo-therapy at Loving Touch Animal Center . Ask your veterinarian if this is a therapy that may help your pet. If you have further questions, consult your practitioner today.