MAYO CLINIC PROMOTES PROLOTHERAPY
The Mayo Clinic in their April 2005 (Volume 23 number 4) Mayo Clinic Health Letter promotes Prolotherapy. Dr. Gustav Hemwall, my predecessor, and the doctor who was the main proponent and teacher in Prolotherapy from 1965-1995, always thought before he died he would see the Mayo Clinic finally acknowledge and accept Prolotherapy. Dr. Hemwall who died in 1998 never saw that day but he would be extremely pleased that the day finally has arrived.

The Mayo Clinic Health Letter's top story for the April 2005 issue revolves around alternative treatments in dealing with chronic pain. They show an elbow getting Prolotherapy. They write "when chronic ligament or tendon pain hasn't responded to more-conservative treatments, Prolotherapy may be helpful. Prolotherapy involves injections that introduce an inflammatory (sclerosing) agent to affected ligaments or tendons. The sclerosing agent causes a temporary low-grade inflammation. It's thought that this inflammation leads to the production of connective tissue, which strengthens loosened tendons or ligaments and results in less pain. Ligament or tendon pain may be due to laxity or instability of these connective tissues. Locations most likely to benefit from Prolotherapy include the: ankle, knee, elbow, sacroiliac joint in the lower back. Prolotherapy treatments for a painful ligament or tendon are usually spread out over several sessions....they go on to say...Unlike steroid injections - which may provide temporary relief - Prolotherapy involves improving the injected tissues by stimulating tissue growth."

There you have it, the 'Mecca' has stated that Prolotherapy stimulates tissue growth and is used for tendon and ligament pain. Sounds like all the stuff we/Dr. Hemwall has been saying for 50 years. Some people take a little longer to understand stuff...for the Mayo Clinic it took 50 years. Great job, whoever, at Mayo Clinic finally saw the light. Might you replicate yourselves many fold!