Alternative Solutions To Pain Management Or Surgery

By Dr. Elaine Marquez McHugh
Olympus Movement Performance

Regenerative injections are an alternative solution to pain management and/or surgery. They do exactly what the name suggests, regenerate tissues. Really, they help to induce your body to heal and regenerate itself. Pretty cool, huh? 

These injections consist of a number of treatments targeted for varying types of conditions or ailments. The different treatments include perineural therapy, trigger point injections, prolotherapy, PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections, and more. They are performed in a clinic, procedure room, &/or sterile setting by licensed doctors trained in regenerative medicine. The treatments last about 15 - 60 minutes long, depending on the treatment. Most of these treatments will be done in a series of sessions, with lasting effects long after, needing only yearly or twice yearly maintenance treatments. There is little downtime, especially compared to months after surgery. 

Perineural injection therapy (PIT) uses a dextrose-based solution that is injected under the skin along nerves that are causing you pain. Dextrose helps to feed these nerves so that they can heal, restore nerve function, and decrease those pain signals going to your brain. Conditions treated include neuropathy, lower back pain, surgical mishaps, nerve inflammation, pinched nerves, and more.

Trigger point injection therapy uses an anesthetic, like lidocaine, and possibly some B12 & saline, injected into muscles. This treatment is geared toward tight, tense muscles, of which have what are called “trigger points” of pain. These trigger points are most commonly caused by muscle knots. TPI can be used to treat tension headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, and myofascial pain syndrome.

Prolotherapy is another regenerative treatment that uses a dextrose-based solution that also has an anesthetic (usually lidocaine), saline, and possibly B12. This creates an inflammatory process in the body that alerts and directs the healing cells toward that specific location of injection. Joint pain and tendon or ligament injuries and tears are usually treated with prolotherapy. 

PRP joint injection therapy uses a patient’s own blood to treat joint pain, tendon or ligament injuries, labral tears, osteoarthritis, and more. Say what?? Yes, you heard me. The patient’s blood is drawn then spun at high speeds to produce the PRP, or platelet rich plasma part of the blood. The platelets secrete growth factors and chemical signals that induce regeneration of tissues, like collagen and cartilage. When injected, PRP can heal injuries and pain in this manner.

Complimentary Discovery Visit

This blog post is mainly a general overview of the different types of regenerative treatments. Subscribe to our emails and follow us on social media for future posts for an even deeper look at each of these treatments. 

Wan to learn more about Regenerative Injections? Book a Complimentary Discovery Visit with our Naturopathic Medicine Doctor, Dr. Elaine!

​Olympus Movement Performance
North County San Diego Wellness and Fitness Clinic
1281 Liberty Way, Suite A
Vista, CA 92081
 

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose or treat. It is purely informative and educational. If you may think you need regenerative medicine treatments, please consult your doctor or a doctor specialized in regenerative medicine. 

DR. ELAINE MARQUEZ MCHUGH
Naturopathic Medicine Doctor

Dr. Elaine's passions in medicine include regenerative and anti-aging medicine, sports and performance medicine, mind body medicine, integrative medicine, and functional medicine. Dr. Elaine specializes in prolotherapy, PRP joint injections, PRP facial rejuvenation, IV therapy, and biofeedback. She treats a wide range of ailments seen in primary care to more complex chronic disease and stealth infections such as mold infections and Lyme disease, as well as mental health, stress, anxiety, and adrenal fatigue.