Prolotherapy
The battle with the hip continues. I swear that sitting, not running is the source of the pain. I walked 7 miles with my son on Wednesday and felt great that night. I felt fine on Thursday, too, but ended up working an exceptionally long shift that kept me from running or doing much of anything else from 6:30 in the morning until 8:30 that night. I was in agony all day Friday and most of today. I walked 1.4 miles to the start of the Centennial Trail, went for a 4 mile run, and then walked home again. This didn’t help as much as I had hoped at the time, but it is helping this evening.
Friday evening I had an appointment at North Sound Physical Therapy in Marysville, where I had a consultation with a physical therapist who is also an ultra runner. I shared with him all the sordid details of my battles with plantar fasciitis and hip pain, and my belief that the plantar fasciitis was a result of the hip problem, and not the other way around. He told me that in most cases, plantar fasciitis is the cause, but in about 30% it is the result of a hip problem. He then had me lay on my back, placed his hands on my hip bones and noted that my right hip bone was a full inch higher than my left one. Voila! I was right. On the other hand, it is easy to open the phone book and find a foot and ankle specialist. Good luck finding a “hip doctor”.
I explained that Dr Webber had been adjusting my SI joint, but that it would never stay adjusted. Since Dr Webber said that it helps to strengthen the area, I was taking time away from chiropractic care to try and strengthen the area, as I’m limited to 26 visits per year, and I want them to count. There is also that little problem with trying to get time off to drive down there. Tony, the physical therapist said that there is a high probability that the cause of the problem is weakness in a ligament or tendon, and that strengthening the muscles may not help. He suggested a treatment called Prolotherapy, which strengthens the ligaments and tendons, and gave me the name of a doctor who specializes in this treatment. I left feeling excited, thinking I would finally be able to put this behind me. When I got home, I checked my insurance plan and discovered the doctor is not a member. I’m so tired of being in pain all of the time. It’s like having a toothache in my hip. Perhaps I should take the overtime from the long hours and pay for my own treatment?
If you have had prolotherapy, or know someone who has, please leave a post to let me know if it was successful.
April 9th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I’ve never heard of it. But if it’s going to help I think it would be worth giving it a shot. Maybe do some research?
April 24th, 2009 at 9:28 am
FYI a quick note to say I’ve successfully used Prolotherapy. I go to an MD/Chiropracter in Santa Monica CA. I love that he has a total understanding of the body and he kows the value of this rather non- invasive therapy. Surgery is invasive and a choice of last resort.
Prolotherapy is used by many Athlete’s. It’s why they can sustain a injury and be back in the game in a very short time. I figured it’s because they were young and fit…which I’m not…but no…it’s the Prolotherapy!
Insurance usually doesn’t cover it so read up on it, get a referral to a good Practioner and if he/she is an MD perhaps you could get treated on your 1st visit allowing Ins. to at least pay that visit as a regular Dr. Visit (depending on your coverage) subsequent treatments would be on you.
I still maintain it’s worth it. There’s a whole lot of treatment out there that Ins. does not deem worthy. It’s part of our goofy Health Care system.
Also know that I’ve recommended friends….brought them to Dr. Fields lectures actually…and after being treated….all have thanked me for the referral.
Know too that it’s not a NEW treatment. It’s an old one….that happens to work using a natural ingredient (glucose) and a simple method of delivery (an injection into the area needing treatment).
E-mail me if you’d like to ask anything further….I’ll get back as soon as possible.
Good Luck!
August 17th, 2009 at 12:03 am
I have hip pain and have had it since November, ‘08. I’ve been told by my regular internist, orthopedic and rehab docs I need I have a hip replacement. No thanks. Yet the pain has been annoying enough to on occasion consider it. Then I found out about prolo and have had one prolo treatment, now 12 days ago on my hip and groin area. The first week I ddidn’t see much change, then things started to improve. I went three days without any pain at all after that. Then last yesterday, after sitting working for three hours and later watching tv for two, I got up and my thigh muscle just gave out when I walked. I went to bed tenuous, afraid. Am now up in the middle of the night having Nighty Night tea and writing to you. I still have the most hope I’ve had in months and months because the pain is much less in my hip and groin. I say go for prolo. Sounds dumb but I think this leg giving out is just a passing facet of the treatment. I’m without hip pain for the most part. Still have a few twinges now and then, but I’ve only had one treatment. Amazing, I think. Good luck. Feel free to email me.