What Is Prolotherapy? The Original Regenerative Injection Therapy
Prolotherapy is the founding father of regenerative medicine and is named after its ability to encourage “proliferation”, as in the growth and repair of ligament and joint and musculoskeletal tissues, encouraging healing while preventing further deterioration.
Prolotherapy involves the use of natural materials that act as proliferants that are injected directly into exact anatomical locations, turning on the growth and repair response of targeted musculoskeletal tissues. These proliferant materials act as growth and repair signalers to the chronically injured and painful musculoskeletal tissue.
What Is Prolozone? (Ozone-Enhanced Regenerative Injection)
Ozone as a medical therapy involves delivering very specific quantities of ozone gas into the body, at specified dosages and specified routes of administration, according to accepted medical standards.1 The ozone is then believed to work in the body through the creation of oxygenated signaling molecules and metabolic molecules, resulting in upregulation of metabolism and modulation of key regulatory processes, including the body’s antioxidant system and the body’s immune system.2 For a full discussion of ozone in medicine, see our discussion on the www.hawaiiwholepersonhealing.com page.
At Hawaii Island Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, the basic prolotherapy mixture is usually accompanied by an injection of ozone gas in a technique called Prolozone, which was termed by Dr. Frank Shallenberger, MD, HMD, ABAAM. Dr. Lawinski received formal Prolozone training with Frank Shallenberger in 2013. Over the years, Dr. Shallenberger and hundreds of other ozone doctors have found that the use of ozone in the basic prolotherapy proliferant mixture causes the joints and ligaments to heal more rapidly than in traditional prolotherapy.
How Ozone Speeds Healing in the Joint
We theorize that ozone combines with signaling molecules in the body, enhancing those signaling molecules’ ability to control growth and repair. Ozonated signaling molecules also act as regulators of the immune system, resulting in less inflammation within chronically inflamed areas. The results are consistently better healing of damaged tissue, with increased function and reduction of pain.
Over the years, a variety of proliferants have been used. The most common, safe, and inexpensive proliferant—and the one we use at the Hawaii Island Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine—is a high-concentration dextrose (sugar water) solution. A variety of vitamins and nutrients are added to the dextrose solution to increase efficacy. Also, subject to FDA approval, a variety of peptide compounds are potentially available for injection through local compounding pharmacies. The presence of the solution in the affected musculoskeletal area causes mild, controlled irritation to the targeted tissue, which eventually leads to increased blood flow, improved nutrient delivery, and upregulation of the body’s natural healing response.
Evidence-informed treatment options with Prolotherapy and Prolozone Therapy
Following patient-specific, physician-led orthobiologic consultation and evaluation of peer-reviewed and published evidence.:
Chronic Myofascial Pain
Back & Neck Pain
Carpal Tunnel
Osteoarthritis
Sports Injury
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel
Neuropathy
Chronic Ligament Pain
Rotator Cuff Injury
Plantar Fasciitis
Ankle Sprains/Arthritis
Chronic Tendonitis
Ligament Inflammation & Laxity
Knee Arthritis & Meniscal Tears
Chronic Strain
Please contact us or schedule an appointment to see if regenerative musculoskeletal medicine at Hawaii Island Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between prolotherapy and prolozone?
Prolotherapy uses an injected proliferant, most commonly a high-concentration dextrose solution, to trigger the body’s natural growth and repair response in ligaments and joints. Prolozone adds an injection of ozone gas to that same proliferant mixture, which many practitioners have found speeds healing compared to prolotherapy alone.
Who developed the Prolozone technique?
The Prolozone technique was termed by Dr. Frank Shallenberger, MD, HMD, ABAAM. Dr. Lawinski received formal Prolozone training directly from Dr. Shallenberger in 2013.
What proliferant is used in treatment?
The clinic uses a high-concentration dextrose (sugar water) solution as the base proliferant, with a variety of vitamins and nutrients added to increase efficacy. Also, subject to FDA approval, a variety of peptide compounds are potentially available for injection through local compounding pharmacies.
How does prolotherapy work?
The proliferant solution causes mild, controlled irritation to the targeted tissue, which leads to increased blood flow, improved nutrient delivery, and upregulation of the body’s natural healing response.
What conditions is prolotherapy and prolozone used for?
Your physician will discuss with you the specific published evidence-informed treatment options during individual consultation.
How many sessions are typically needed, and is this covered by insurance?
Prolotherapy and prolozone are usually delivered as a series of injections rather than a single visit; published protocols generally describe 3 to 6 sessions spaced several weeks apart, with the exact number depending on the severity and duration of your condition. Most insurance plans classify these therapies as elective or investigational and do not provide coverage, so they’re typically billed out of pocket — ask the clinic about cost during your consultation.
What should I know about prolozone’s safety and regulatory status?
Prolotherapy and Prolozone involve injections, so temporary soreness, bruising, stiffness, or swelling at the injection site is common and typically resolves within a few days. Prolotherapy uses a dextrose solution administered by a licensed physician as a medical procedure; Prolozone additionally involves medical-grade ozone gas, which the FDA classifies as having no FDA-recognized medical application (21 CFR 801.415). Prolozone is offered here based on Dr. Lawinski’s specialized training and clinical judgment rather than as an FDA-approved treatment. Your physician is glad to walk you through what this means and to answer any questions before your visit.
Where can I get prolotherapy or prolozone injections on the Big Island?
Hawaii Island Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, located at 15-3039 Pahoa Village Rd, Pahoa, HI 96778, offers prolotherapy and prolozone to patients throughout Puna, Hilo, and the greater Big Island, so East Hawaii residents don’t need to travel to Oahu for joint and ligament care.
How do I get started with prolotherapy or prolozone?
Contact the clinic or schedule an initial consultation so Dr. Lawinski can evaluate your condition and confirm whether prolotherapy or prolozone is the right fit for you.
References
- Madrid Declaration on Ozone Therapy, 3rd edition. International Scientific Committee of Ozone Therapy. Match 22nd, 2020.
- Shallenberger, Frank. Principles and Applications of Ozone Therapy — A Practical Guideline for Physicians. 2011.
- Reeves, MD (2014) Summary of Completed Research in Prolotherapy and Bioregenerative Injection, University of Kansas.
