P.I.N.S. versus Traditional Prolotherapy
The difference between P.I.N.S. Prolotherapy and traditional Prolotherapy lies in the METHOD OF DELIVERY. This is the difference between the INJECTION of traditional Prolotherapy and the INFUSION of Percutaneous Iontophoretic Needle Stimulation (P.I.N.S.).
With traditional Prolotherapy a non-toxic substance, such as saline, is injected via a hollow syringe inserted at the damaged site. Then this substance separates out into its' electrolyte components to create an ionic effect that draws growth cells in the blood to that area. The negatively charged chloride ions from the salt water attract the positively charged proteins of the fibroblasts (growth cells).
With P.I.N.S. these negative ions are directly infused into the damaged tissue via a special type of electric (direct) current that is run through deeply inserted acupuncture needles at the problem site. To add to this effect a gelatinous substance containing growth hormone precursors is placed on the exposed portion of the acupuncture needle just prior to the procedure. During the procedure the ionic components of this substance form a (covalent) bond with the current and are carried, or "iontophoresed", along the metallic needle to the damaged site.
P.I.N.S. takes advantage of the fact that ions draw growth cells (chemotaxis) by eliminating one step in traditional Prolotherapy, that is, the chemical injection. Instead, the doctor introduces the ions directly into the problem site. Like traditional Prolotherapy repetition is required in order to sustain this low-grade, controlled inflammation for several weeks. This results in the accumulation of large numbers of tissue growth cells, called "proles", at the very location where new connective tissue is needed. To learn more about the history of Prolotherapy click here.
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