Prolotherapy?? Anyone heard/used it?

Hi All,

I have frequented this forum for several years, and read every stinking thread about back pain, painkillers, chiros and RMTs. I have had back pain for years. I have done Tris for about 5 years (one year off while pregnant). I am currently training for the Ride to Conquer Cancer (200km ride in June). I am also registered for a couple sprints this summer (although I am taking the dicey choice to NOT swim at all). With a 16 month old, and a self employed husband... I don't have time to do all three sports. Running is my WORST event, and I am biking by default. So swimming got the boot (FWIW - I got PB on the swim last year on my first race of the season with only 2 trips to the pool).

Anyway, I have been suffering with serious pain at night in the past 4-6 months. I can only sleep for about 4 hours and I wake up in serious discomfort. I can't bend over, can't pick up my baby, I can barely roll over without crying. My husband has to help me out of bed a lot... and is in charge of getting the baby out of bed. Once I am up for an hour or more... moving around and standing, the pain is almost gone.

After a zillion trips to the chiro (s), she has told me my joints are just too lax to hold an adjustment. i have seen both my local Ironman chiro for ART and one who on me through my pregnancy. She sent me back to massage. My doctor generally disregards my complaints of pain (I love him anyway) and will not perscribe NSAIDS. He claims if I can still stay active and happy I should not bother. I love and hate that prescription.

A recent trip to my RMT (it has been a while), she mentioned Prolotherapy. Apparently it is well geared to people with joint laxity - especially in the lower back region. I have done some internet research, but it seems to be an "out there" therapy. There are equal people who support and deny the claims. Does anyone have any experience with this? Heard of it?

My RMT has been my RMT for 10 years... since I was 22!! She says of all the things that have changed over the years, my back issues remain the same. She made the very valid point that a 32 year old should not be in tears getting out of bed in the morning. I also plan to have another baby sometime in the next 2 years, and if I can only get 4 hours of sleep now... I can't fathom what it would be like with a newborn and a toddler. Not to mention the general aches and pains of pregnancy.

FWIW our bed is 7 years old... that is one thing we have not replaced yet... although I do have a bed board and other pillows wedged here there and everywhere to keep my back straight.

I blame some of the issues on the Relaxin related to pregnancy, but even prior to age 18, I dislocated almost ever ball and socket joint in my body (knees, elbows, shoulders and one hip). They all instantly relocated except the elbow and the shoulder (in a wetsuit).

Anyway, does anyone else wanna throw a hat in the argument and offer suggestions to what I can do. In the meantime, I continue to constantly shift my weight... never sit for more than 1 hour at a time... and cry on my way out of bed in the morning.