Chronic pain treated at the source, without surgery
Prolotherapy strengthens weakened ligaments and tendons so the joint becomes stable again and the pain can settle. Dr Walter Bell and Dr Gerrit Gouws treat patients from across South Africa at their practice in Parys.
5 Re-Unie Street, Parys, Free State
What is prolotherapy?
A recognised orthopaedic procedure that stimulates the body’s own healing to strengthen joints weakened by injury or arthritis.
When ligaments and tendons are stretched or torn, the joint becomes loose and painful. Anti-inflammatories and surgery often fail to stabilise it for good. Prolotherapy works on the cause: a precise injection creates a mild, controlled inflammation that prompts the body to lay down new ligament and tendon fibres. As the joint gets stronger, the pain is relieved.
Read more about prolotherapy, its history and how it compares to cortisone
How a course of treatment works
Consultation
A thorough examination to find the weakened ligaments or tendons behind the pain.
Injection
A dextrose solution with a local anaesthetic is injected where the ligament or tendon attaches to the bone.
Repair
The mild inflammation increases blood flow, and the body lays down new collagen to strengthen the area.
Follow-up sessions
Sessions are repeated at 4 to 6 week intervals. Most patients notice the pain easing after about six weeks.
Conditions we treat
Prolotherapy can relieve a broad range of chronic and sports-related pain, including:
- Arthritis
- Backache and chronic low back pain
- Neck pain
- Knee conditions
- Herniated discs
- Compression fractures
- Chronic headaches
- Tennis elbow
- Shoulder pain
- Jaw (TMJ) dysfunction
- Sports injuries
- Work-related injuries
I went for 5 treatments of prolotherapy and can now honestly say that my back is 100% and I never have any back pain.
Your doctors
Dr Walter Bell
Trained in prolotherapy in the United States with the Hackett-Hemwall Foundation. Special interests in preventative medicine, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and sports injuries.
Dr Gerrit Gouws
Joined Dr Bell in Parys in 2011 after training with the Hackett-Hemwall Foundation. Special interests in nutrition, preventative medicine and sports injuries.
Listen to Dr Bell
Dr Bell explains prolotherapy in two radio interviews.
Interview on RSG
In Afrikaans, about 12 minutes.
Interview on SAfm
In English, about 12 minutes.