Prolotherapy for TMJ
What Is Prolotherapy
Proliferation therapy or prolotherapy for TMJ is a procedure that involves a series of injections designed to produce inflammation in the injured tissue. To understand how such a treatment works, let us first learn about connective tissue and how our body normally repairs it.
​Inflammation is a common natural response of our immune system when our tissues are injured. It plays a significant role in tissue repair and regeneration by stimulating substances carried in blood that produce growth factors in the affected areas.
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When our tissues are injured, we should avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or Naprosyn to relieve pain and swelling. They would only delay or impede our body’s natural healing process.
​Injecting corticosteroids may provide temporary relief for a chronic condition. However, it can also suppress inflammation. Through prolotherapy, the body is tricked into initiating a healing response.
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Inflamed Jaw Joint
Prolotherapy reactivates the healing process by injecting a mildly irritating substance (a somewhat concentrated sugar solution and a painkiller called lidocaine) into the injured area to stimulate a temporary low-grade inflammation. Growth factors may also be injected depending on the patient’s case.
​By injecting growth factors at the site of inflammation, the body will be able to produce new tissue that can strengthen the lax or unstable ligaments and tendons. It may even support damaged or degenerated cartilage.
Experiments in laboratory animals show that a prolotherapy injection can stimulate tissue growth in ligaments and tendons. Two animal studies also prove that cartilage defects can be healed using proliferation therapy.
​Prolotherapy can’t reverse arthritic changes or correct mechanical problems like spinal stenosis, in which two bones pinch a nerve. However, since proliferation therapy can tighten the connective tissues that support an arthritic joint, it may be able to reduce or even eliminate the discomfort associated with arthritis.
​In addition, prolotherapy is now the subject of a controlled clinical trial. It’s sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which is a part of the National Institutes of Health.
​Since prolotherapy for TMJ is a nonsurgical technique, it’s ideal for patients who don’t want to undergo an operation. Compared to other drugs and surgery, proliferation therapy has minimal side effects, especially if performed using sterile techniques. Patients typically experience bruising and a temporary increase in pain in the injected area caused by the induced inflammation.
Get in Touch With Us Today for Proliferation Therapy!
If you’re looking for a clinic that offers prolotherapy for TMJ, consider The Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea. Our specialist, Dr. Larson, has studied with the American Osteopathic Association of Prolotherapy Regenerative Medicine, so you can be sure that we can help you with your needs. Feel free to reach out to us if you want to learn more about proliferation therapy or other advanced tools for the treatment of TMJ disorder.