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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DO?

A Doctor of Osteopathy is a fully licensed physician who, along with M.D.’s (Medical Doctors), can prescribe medications and perform surgeries (if trained in a surgical specialty). The difference between a DO and an MD is primarily the philosophical approach to treating patients with an added focus on the musculoskeletal system.
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The DO is trained under the tenets:

  • The human body is a functional unit
  • Structure and function are inter-related
  • The human body has inherent self-healing capabilities

An example of how a DO can treat asthma sufferers is with both a prescription for medication as well as with osteopathic manipulation (OMM) to relieve restriction of breathing in the rib cage or elsewhere in the body.

What’s the difference between a cortisone shot and prolotherapy?

A cortisone shot contains an anti-inflammatory medicine called corticosteroid medicine. This method has been used to treat injuries such as tennis elbow, overused and weakened tendons and ligaments, and other strains that are not truly inflammatory problems. Although cortisone shots give patients some temporary pain relief, they don’t fundamentally help because the core issue is weakness, not inflammation.

Prolotherapy injection techniques help promote healing via strengthening a weak and injured area. The medical evidence is in favor of prolotherapy for treating such non-inflammatory problems.

If I am overweight, diabetic, or taking other medications, will I still be able to benefit from sports medicine / osteopathic techniques?

Absolutely. We just ask patients to refrain from taking ibuprofen types of medications for about 7-10 days after a treatment with prolotherapy because anti-inflammatory medication can hinder the healing process.

How long do these procedures take and should I take time off work?

A treatment can be performed in the office during a routine visit. Usually, it takes 4-6 treatments for the more chronic conditions. For patients who have more physically demanding jobs, it is recommended to have the procedure done on a Friday so they can recover from any post-treatment soreness over the weekend.

Is prolotherapy safe and does it hurt?

Yes, it is a safe procedure and consistent medical reviews verify this statement. Some patients experience pain while others experience minor discomfort because it involves needle injections into the involved tendons or ligaments. Also, because this type of treatment aims to stimulate the healing response of the body and is thought of as a “controlled injury”, there is some swelling and pain involved. Patients consistently report positive results overriding any discomfort, hands down.