Prolozone comes from the word ozone and the Latin word "proli," which means to regenerate or rebuild. It literally means rebuilding tissues with ozone. "Prolo" is short for proliferation, because the treatment causes the proliferation (growth, formation) of new ligament tissue in areas that have become weak.

Ligaments are the structural "rubber bands" that hold bones to bones in joints--acting like the body's shock absorbers. Ligaments can become weak or injured and may not heal back to their original strength, endurance or length. This is largely because the blood supply to ligaments is limited, and therefore healing is slow and not always complete. Since ligaments also have many nerve endings, a patient will feel pain at the areas where the ligaments are damaged or loose.

Prolozone therapy involves the injection of ozone into soft tissues, ligaments and tendons. This causes a localized inflammation in these weak areas, which then increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients and the stimulation of cell repairs. These effects stimulate the tissue to repair itself, strengthening and tightening and thereby stabilizing the area.

Another largely unrecognized phenomenon is that all trauma and/or inflammation can blunt the cell's ability to generate energy. Because of their decreased ability to produce adequate amounts of energy, these cells constantly produce excessive amounts of lactic acid, which results in chronic pain.

These cells are not dead, but they are in a state of shock, and they may well stay in this state for years before they recover. Prolozone supplies the oxidative stimulus that is needed to bring cells back into a positive state of energy production, thereby eliminating lactic acidosis.

The response to treatment varies from individual to individual and depends upon one's healing ability. Some people may only need one treatment while others may need as many as ten.

Conditions that can be treated with Prolozone therapy

Chronic pain resulting from injuries to ligaments and tendons of the appendicular skeleton has long been well recognized. However, because they cannot be visualized on x-rays, injuries to ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues of the body have been largely ignored as a potential source of chronic pain.

The treatment is equally excellent for many different types of musculoskeletal pain, including neck pain, unresolved whiplash, degenerated or herniated discs, carpal tunnel syndrome, torn tendons, TMJ syndrome, sciatica, heel spurs, neuromas, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tears, knee injuries and virtually any other sports injury.

How did Prolozone develop?
Historical review shows that a version of this technique was first used by Hippocrates on soldiers with dislocated, torn shoulder joints. He would stick a hot poker into the front of the joint, and it would then heal normally. Of course, hot pokers are not in use today, but the principle is essentially the same--stimulate the body to repair itself through the use of controlled irritation.

The injection of "proliferating" agents first began in the 1830s, when potent chemical irritants were used to treat hernias non-surgically.

Prolozone in one form or another has been used in Europe for over 40 years, and over the past ten years has been studied and improved to its current level by Dr. Shallenberger.

How does it work?
A mixture of ozone, procaine, vitamin B12 and other homeopathic preparations are injected into soft tissues and/or ligaments or tendons where they attach to the bone. This causes a localized inflammation and anabolic effect in these weak areas, which then increases the blood supply, and stimulates the production of fibroblasts, the cells which the body uses to repair damaged connective tissue.

Although other proliferating agents such as dextrose and lidocaine can and have been used, ozone has three distinct advantages over these agents. First, it is more gentle and causes less pain. Second, since it is a gas, it diffuses into the treated area more effectively, and is more likely to "find" the area of laxity. Hence, it will greatly improve the batting average of even the most proficient therapist. Last, there are no side effects with ozone, making it much more user friendly.

Once injected, ozone causes a local reaction or inflammation. The fibroblasts are attracted to the irritated area then begin to lay down the collagen that will form new ligament or tendon tissue.

Following the injection, the patient may be a little sore for a few days, although this is usually uncommon. Because the inflammation produced is very important for the healing process, it is important that the patient does not use any anti-inflammatory medications during the 48 hours after the injection. For the same reason, areas that have been previously treated with steroid or cortisone injections cannot be treated with Prolozone until these injections have worn off.

The injection process is repeated every one to two weeks. Patients should expect significant results after the first or second treatments. This is in distinction from classical sclerosing agents which often require from five to ten painful treatments in order to see substantial results. The good thing about Prolozone therapy is that the results actually represent a permanent fix. However, the patient may need a "booster" injection every year or so after the initial series.

When Prolozone therapy is administered correctly, there is an 85% chance for the chronic pain sufferer to becoming completely pain free.

Dr. Chow is an experienced naturopathic doctor who has been in practice in Vancouver for 21 years, offering treatments for chronic illness, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions and cancer as well as anti-aging medicine. Her clinic is also sought after by both local and international clients for ozone therapy, Prolozone pain treatment and autologous growth factor injection. www.drphoebechow.com

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