A 'secret' therapy, in which fluid is injected into the ligaments around the spine, could be the answer to chronic back pain for thousands of sufferers.
The treatment - prolotherapy - triggers a proliferation of healthy new connective tissue in areas that were damaged.
Ligaments ensure stability in joints by firmly linking bone to bone. But when they are damaged, stretched or weakened, joints - or a spinal disc - can be put under stress. This can be caused by a car crash, a fall, lifting heavy objects, or wear and tear, and often creates disabling pain.
In prolotherapy, 0.5 cubic centimetresof a fluid mixture is injected into each of the two ends of the damaged ligament, near where it joins the bone. The liquid is made up of water (38per cent), dextrose and glycerol (30 per cent each), and phenol (2per cent). Usually, three lots of injections are given at intervals of one or two weeks.
The treatment - prolotherapy - triggers a proliferation of healthy new connective tissue in areas that were damaged.
Ligaments ensure stability in joints by firmly linking bone to bone. But when they are damaged, stretched or weakened, joints - or a spinal disc - can be put under stress. This can be caused by a car crash, a fall, lifting heavy objects, or wear and tear, and often creates disabling pain.
In prolotherapy, 0.5 cubic centimetresof a fluid mixture is injected into each of the two ends of the damaged ligament, near where it joins the bone. The liquid is made up of water (38per cent), dextrose and glycerol (30 per cent each), and phenol (2per cent). Usually, three lots of injections are given at intervals of one or two weeks.
