Medical One Special Services:

Prolotherapy for Pain

Also known RIT (Regenerative Injection Therapy) this technique tries to repair the cause of a person’s chronic pain which is in many cases due to a weakness of one or more ligaments or tendons.

The basic mechanism of prolotherapy is simple. A substance is injected into the affected ligaments or tendons, which leads to local inflammation. This, in turn, triggers a wound healing cascade, resulting in the deposition of new collagen, the material ligaments and tendons are made of. New collagen shrinks as it matures and this shrinking collagen tightens the ligament that was injected and makes it stronger thereby relieving the pain.

This treatment is very effective for back and neck pain that is unresponsive to other treatments. It also is used for pain in the knees, elbows, and any other areas where weakened ligaments or tendons are the cause of the discomfort.

Dr. Michael Dunn has been trained in this technique and has been practicing it since 2001.

Suboxone
(buprenorphine HCl/naloxone HCl dehydrate)

What is Suboxone?

• Suboxone is used for the treatment of opioid dependence. At appropriate doses Suboxone can help to suppress withdrawal from prescription pain medications or heroin

• Suboxone can only be prescribed by physicians who have undergone specialized training and who have been certified by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Drs. Dunn and Glasser have both been trained and are certified to prescribe Suboxone.

What is Opioid Dependence?

• Unfortunately many people become addicted to opioids for various reasons. Some people take them for legitimate reasons and sometimes for some not so legitimate reasons.

• Repeated opioid use is then needed in order to feel good or avoid feeling bad and the opioid use continues in spite of its negative effects, for example, people who are opioid dependent will feel a need to keep using opioids even if it hurts their health, job, finances or family.

What are Opioid examples?

• Heroin

• Prescription painkillers (examples below)
a. Oxycodone
b. Hydrocodone
c. Meperidine
d. Morphine
e. Oxymorphone
f. Methadone

How Suboxone taken?
• It is prescribed in the form of a quick dissolving tablet that is placed under the tongue. It is used on a daily basis and the dosage will vary from person to person.

At appropriate doses Suboxone can help to suppress withdrawal symptoms from prescription pain medications or heroin. When one no longer needs Suboxone, the dose can be tapered slowly until medication is not required.