For conditions such as lower back pain, tendinitis and migraines, traditional medical treatments may not always help. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and prolotherapy offer hope for those who haven't found relief through traditional treatments. Both acupuncture and prolotherapy use needles, but significant differences in technique exist between the two. They also differ in which conditions they can treat.
History
The Chinese used acupuncture as far back as 200 BCE. Travelers along trade routes spread the practice throughout the Middle East and even into Western Europe. Acupuncture gained popularity in the United States after an American reporter received the treatment in China in 1972.
Prolotherapy developed from sclerotherapy, a non-surgical treatment for conditions related to connective tissue weakness. In 1937, Dr. Louis W. Schultz, successfully treated a case of temporomandibular joint disorder with prolotherapy. Dr. George S. Hackett further developed prolotherapy. In 1955, he taught the procedure to Dr. Gustav Hemwall, who performed and promoted prolotherapy for the rest of his career. It became a popular treatment for lower back pain the 1950s.
Technique
Acupuncturists begin a course of treatment by assessing your overall health, possibly taking your pulse and checking your skin tone. During treatment, you lie on a table while the acupuncturist inserts needles at specific points in your skin. You then rest for up to an hour, after which the acupuncturist removes the needles. Acupuncturists may also prescribe herbs, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. The number of treatments you need depends on the complexity of your condition.
Prolotherapy uses a needle to inject a solution of growth-stimulating substances into painful or inflamed areas. This solution may contain saline, anesthetics, corticosteroids and hypotonic solutions that cause cells to shrink. This is generally a one-time treatment, but you'll need to wait six to eight weeks for your tissues to regrow, says Colorado State University.
Theories
Chinese medicine's theory of qi, pronounced "chee," is the basis for acupuncture. Qi is life energy that flows through the body. Blockage or imbalance of this energy results in health problems. Acupuncture needles are placed at points chosen to unblock or balance the flow of qi. Another theory suggests that acupuncture may stimulate the central nervous system to release pain-relieving hormones.
The basis for prolotherapy is the idea that damaged tissues, rather than inflammation, are responsible for problems like tendinitis, osteoarthritis and similar conditions. Prolotherapy practitioners inject a solution directly into the painful joint or tissues. In theory, this solution stimulates regrowth of damaged tissues.
Conditions Treated
Acupuncture proponents suggest this treatment for a wide range of conditions. Among these are sports injuries, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract disorders, menstrual problems, headaches and addiction.
Prolotherapy's effectiveness is limited to conditions related to inflammation or damage in the ligaments, tendons and joints. This includes osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and cervicogenic headaches, which originate in the spine.
Precautions
Side effects from acupuncture are rare, and those that do occur are minor. Some acupuncturists may decline to treat pregnant women, while others may be comfortable doing so. Tell your acupuncturist if you're pregnant or taking any medications, including herbs.
Prolotherapy may cause pain or irritation at the injection site. Some patients have suffered ruptured ligaments. Severe problems, including paralysis, were more common in the 1960s when inexperienced practitioners injected untested solutions.
References
- University of Maryland: Acupuncture
- International Acadamy of Medical Acupuncture, Inc.: What Is Acupuncture?
- Getprolo.com: The History Of Prolotherapy
- Colorado State University: Prolotherapy for Pain
- University of Cincinnati: UC Health Line: 'Non-Traditional' Therapies Offer Help for Traditional Aches and Pains
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