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Prolotherapy

The prolotherapy specialists at FoRM Health in Portland, Oregon have used this time-tested technique since they’ve been in practice.  Prolotherapy (polo = proliferative) has been around officially since the 1950s, with variants of the technique pre-dating that.  The primary goal of this therapy is strengthening ligaments, which are the supportive structures of all joints.  Prolotherapy can stimulate an immune response similar to PRP, and sometimes you may benefit from a combination of the two therapies together.

If you suffer from chronic joint pain where ligament damage is present, prolotherapy may effectively treat your joint through stabilizing these ligaments.  Since the main component of the solution injected is typically dextrose (a type of sugar), this therapy is exceptionally safe, with minimal side effects or adverse reactions.  Recent research also shows dextrose has a beneficial effect on nerve pain (see more about our nerve hydrodissection services here).

What conditions is Prolotherapy used for?

  • Arthritis
  • Chronic sprains, strains, tendonosis (Tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, patellar tendonitis, achilles tendonitis, etc)
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Chronic shoulder subluxation (dislocation)
  • Ligament laxity and joint instability, including Ehlers-Danlos spectrum
  • Oshgood-Schlatters
  • Chronic pain from motor vehicle accidents, whiplash
  • Spine related pain (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacroiliac)
  • Chronic headaches
  • Rib, costovertebral pain

 

Schedule with FoRM’s Prolotherapy specialist:

Dr. Ryan Minarik ND, LAc

FAQ

How does prolotherapy work?

Prolotherapy works by causing a mild inflammatory response at the site of injury, with an injected substance, typically dextrose. The inflammation results in a renewed healing response which helps to repair damaged tissues, such as ligaments and tendons.

If so effective, why have I not heard of it before?

Since the main component of the solution injected is typically dextrose (a type of sugar), the therapy was not funded for extensive trials, and lost favor to more extensively studied drug or surgical approaches over the years.  In part due to its clinical success, however, along with its high level of safety as an injection therapy, more recent research has helped prove its effectiveness, including Level I studies (the top tier and most conclusive from a research standpoint).  A landmark study proved undeniable benefit for knee arthritis, with several other smaller studies proving its use in other conditions, particularly those involving ligament damage or laxity.   (For those wanting research, see Dr Dean Reeves’,of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, great summary here!)

I’ve heard prolotherapy involves multiple injections. Is this true?

In general, yes. Often prolotherapy is used for joint injuries which involves ligament damage or laxity (weakness). Since there are many ligaments around a joint, including the joint capsule itself, most if not all of the ligaments are treated to help get maximal stability. When a joint is injured (sprain, rolled ankle, etc) it is virtually impossible to injure just a single ligament because of the stretch that occurs through the entire joint.

Does the treatment hurt?

A local anesthetic is used at the injection site to reduce needle/injection discomfort; this part is generally well tolerated. Prolo is meant to stimulate an immune response, which starts with inflammation (and is the reason for pain during any injury). Since prolo helps stimulate this response, there can be ranging degrees of increased soreness following treatment, on average for 2-3 days.

Can I take pain medications following treatment?

Tylenol is allowed for pain relief. Low dose opioid medications are occasionally prescribed for certain injections (typically only needed for 2-3 days following treatment). Anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) and steroid medications are not allowed (rare exceptions) as these interfere with a normal inflammatory and healing response.

How quickly does it work? When will I see results?

This depends on the type of injury, location, and length of time since onset. As a general rule, it takes 2-3 months for the initial stages of regeneration and repair to occur. At this point patients typically see and feel results. Repair processes can continue for many months after injections. For osteoarthritis, pain reduction can actually occur much more quickly, within a couple weeks. Also, dextrose can help with certain types of nerve irritation; injections may help reduce this type of pain much quicker.

Do I have to avoid sports or my favorite activities? If so, for how long?

Again, this varies depending on the condition. Prolo is usually better tolerated with quicker recovery than PRP, but time is still needed for healing. Typically major exercise is avoided for the first week after treatment, with return to normal activity levels over the 2nd week. Exceptions to this are discussed following the initial visit.

What is actually in the injections?

Baseline prolotherapy solutions include dextrose (a sugar), a small amount of anesthetic (usually lidocaine or procaine), and saline. Vitamin B12, testosterone, or other natural substances may be added depending on the condition or strength of response needed. Aside from the anesthetic, there are no other pharmaceutical medications used.

Does dextrose prolotherapy cause scarring?

No. Prolotherapy with dextrose stimulates a regenerative response, with collagen production and strengthening/tightening of ligaments. This does not cause scarring. This should not be confused with sclerotherapy, another term often confused with prolo. Sclerotherapy involves injecting substances into damaged blood vessels, typically smaller veins, to irritate and destroy them.

What are the contra-indications for Prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is generally very safe and well tolerated with most medications or other medical conditions. A full medical history is always reviewed prior to initiating treatment. Patients on immunosuppressive medications, active cancer, or infection around the site to be treated are contraindications to treatment.

Orthopedics

  • PRP Injections
  • Prolotherapy
  • Sports Acupuncture & Dry Needling
  • Chiropractic
  • Massage Therapy
  • Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Hydrodissection
  • MSK Ultrasound

Functional Medicine

  • IV Nutritional Therapy
  • Neurofeedback
  • Acupuncture
  • Nutrition
  • Hormone testing & Functional Labs
  • Massage Therapy

Aesthetics

  • Look Better Membership
  • PRP + PRF Skin Rejuvenation
  • PRP + PRF Hair Restoration
  • Injectables
  • Cosmetic Laser
  • Advanced Aesthetics & Clinical Skincare

We Love Our Patients

“I have loved participating in the Skin Rehab Program! I received 3 treatments per month customized to meet my skin care needs and goals.  With consistent treatments and home care, my skin is smoother, much more even skin tone (fewer dark spots and redness), firmer, and glows.  It just looks so much healthier!  I’m so happy with the results!”

–Look Better Member

“I am fairly new to acupuncture and dry needling and I cannot tell you how lucky I feel to have found THE Trusted Authority when it comes to these modalities. The experience at FoRM has been consistently amazing from beginning to end. I have not been able to stop sharing my experience and the benefits of going to see Dr. Minarik and his team with everybody that I know. They truly listen, are incredibly knowledgeable, candid and they set you up for longtime success/relief.”

–Sports Acupuncture Patient

Over the years, I have had many massages but Aric Naber is the best. He is well versed in muscular structure, intuitive as to how to address any issues and is well respected by athletes that have gone to him for either maintenance or to work through an injury. He is attentive to your concerns and trouble areas and excellent at communicating what he is addressing and why. I would highly recommend him.

–Therapeutic massage client

So thankful for (Dr.) Paul Molina, his help every week has helped keep me together as a professional athlete. Very professional and overall a great person and friend. Would definitely recommend to anyone and everyone.

–Professional Athlete

“Mary Jane is incredible. I arrive to the massage in pain and leave in a healed state, both physically and mentally. She is professional, knowledgeable and thorough. I would go daily if that were possible. Thank you Mary Jane!”

–Massage therapy patient

Dr Kai Herman and her staff are amazing!  I have been under Dr Herman’s naturopathic care for years. I fully trust Dr Herman with my medical needs and when I heard she was doing PRP facials, I knew I could also trust her with my face/skin care needs. The procedure itself was seamless and done in a comfortable, relaxed setting.  The downtime was minimal.  The results were impressive.  I noticed tighter, firmer skin and an improved complexion.  This will definitely be part of my anti-aging skin care routine!

–PRP Skin Rejuvenation Patient

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine used to be a place I would turn when my primary care provider was unable to address my concerns. After seeing Natasha, I now think of her first.

 

–Natasha’s patient

“Hilary is very thoughtful and a great listener when providing a customized solution. I was new to acupuncture and she was patient and communicative. She really cares for her patients. I’d recommend her to anyone.”

–Acupuncture Patient

“Dr. Herman thoughtfully and thoroughly addressed all of my concerns and recommended testing and treatments my PCP has never mentioned. I look forward to continuing my care with her.”

–Functional Medicine Patient

“Dr. Minarik is incredibly knowledgable. He’s been helping me for the last year and he’s top notch. I’ve been impressed with his understanding of both eastern and western treatment options.”

–Dry Needling & PRP Injections Patient

“Dr. Minarik is very skilled and knowledgeable about prp and prolotherapy. He is very thorough and precise in his treatments. He has a very good bedside manner with patients and explains his findings and treatments very thoroughly.”

–Orthobiologic Injections Patient

“Dr. Herman is amazing! I completed 2 laser resurfacing treatments and am loving the results. Many friends and family members have commented on how great my skin looks! Thanks, Dr. Herman!”

–Aesthetics Patient

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Beat the heat with IV therapy! Hotter temps + outd Beat the heat with IV therapy! Hotter temps + outdoor activity/exertion can lead to depletion + dehydration🥵

Looking for a solution? IV therapy with saline, Vitamin C, B vitamins, Magnesium & more!

Seen above is our Energy Boost IV which can help with fatigue, brain fog, pre & post-travel, illness recovery + more!

If you’re looking to level up your energy quickly, schedule a Wellness IV @formhealthpdx! Use link in bio to schedule online.

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In a fast-paced world, find things that help you s In a fast-paced world, find things that help you slow down, breathe deeply and really put you back in your body. 
For Dr. Kai, that’s Pilates. For others, it’s yoga, meditation, long walks, hikes in nature, open-water swimming & more. If you don’t have your thing, find it (scrolling on social media doesn’t count 😉).

Credit to Kyla @springwaterpilates @longevitymoves for the photo and for being a wonderful Pilates guide!

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Don’t let tight hips cramp your running style (o Don’t let tight hips cramp your running style (or any form of movement, for that matter)! Many of us think that stretching alone will help solve the tight hip flexor problem. Not true! In addition to stretching and lengthening your hip flexors, you also need to condition your hip flexors to fire properly. In the video, Dr. Paul runs you through a quick and simple drill to help your hip flexors work for you, not against you!
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When you’ve got places to be and people to see, When you’ve got places to be and people to see, schedule your IV Boost @formhealthpdx!
Interested in IV therapy but don’t know how to get started? Schedule a Concierge Call using link in bio!
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Ready to Feel, Move and Look your Best, but feelin Ready to Feel, Move and Look your Best, but feeling overwhelmed by all the noise in the wellness industry? Trying to hack your health on your own is super challenging and confusing.
At FoRM, we’re here to make your health journey as simple and smooth as possible. 
It can be hard to know where to start with your care, so we’ve designed a Concierge Call that takes out all the guess work and provides you with specific guidance from one of our wellness experts.
They will point you in the right direction and help your onboarding process be as efficient as possible.
Schedule a FREE concierge call using link in bio!

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Ramping up for a busy Spring? Or recovering from a Ramping up for a busy Spring? Or recovering from a long Winter? Our IV therapy formulas may be the remedy you need to level up and make the most out of your adventures and endeavors.

FoRM’s IV program consists of 2 divisions - Wellness and Medical.

Our most popular Wellness formulas include:
⚡️Energy Boost
😃Mood Boost
🤧Immune Boost
🏃‍♀️Perform Boost
🥵Recovery Boost
🌞Skin Boost 

Our Wellness IV formulas are not-intended to treat any medical condition, but rather offer a “boost” to your overall vitality and sense of well-being within a requested focus. Our Wellness IVs are patient-selected for those without an underlying medical condition.

Our Medical IVs are intended for those seeking improvement in symptoms for a specific diagnosis or condition. Prior to receiving any Medical IV,  an office visit and update blood work is required.

Some of our most popular medical IVs include:
🩸Iron Infusions
🍊Vitamin C IVs (high dose)
⛈️Ozone IV / MAH
🤩NAD+ 

Medical IVs can be helpful for the following conditions:

Chronic fatigue
Chronic infections
(Certain) Autoimmune conditions
GI Malabsorption
Chronic & severe anemia
TBI (history of)

Stay-tuned for more information. 
If you would like to learn if IV therapy is right for you, please schedule a Concierge Call with one of our Wellness experts by using link in bio.

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The sun’s finally out and you’re itching to ge The sun’s finally out and you’re itching to get moving! Is your body ready for all the activities it’s missed over the last 6 months? 

If your body’s needing a tune-up or a major overhaul,  our Move Better services have you covered. There’s no reason to settle for struggling or even surviving, when you can be thriving!

Dr. Paul discusses FoRM’s integrative Move Better program along with his specific approach as a Sports Chiropractor. All our Move Better specialists know how to work with injuries, arthritis, chronic pain, and athletic body needs.

#beyourbest #movebetterfeelbetter #movebetter #sportschiro #sportschiropractic #massagetherapy #acupuncture #dryneedling #cupping #guasha #performbetter #formhealth #sellwoodmoreland #sellwood
Imagine overcoming the pain and limitations of a c Imagine overcoming the pain and limitations of a chronic injury or arthritis without surgery! 🤨
Well, it’s totally possible! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

One of our patients recently shared his success 💪 with our Move Better services - in his case, he received a mix of Chiropractic care and Regenerative Injection therapy with PRP and prolotherapy- which helped him overcome a stubborn shoulder injury.
His result? He’s getting back to the activities he loved the most and he canceled his planned surgery 🙏🏻 

Surgery is not always the best path forward. If it’s the only option presented to you, get another opinion.
Schedule a consultation or new patient visit with Dr. Ryan or Dr. Paul for a thorough review evaluation and a (potential) path forward without surgery.

#movebetter #tryeverything #nonsurgical #sportschiro #regenerativemedicine #prolotherapy #prp #dryneedling #formhealth #sellwoodmoreland #sellwood
Have you been told you need surgery for an injury? Have you been told you need surgery for an injury? 
Before going under the knife, schedule with Dr. Ryan for a 2nd opinion. It’s not that we’re in the business of undermining surgeons (most orthopedic surgeons are extremely well-trained and skilled in musculoskeletal surgeries), we just view injuries through a slightly different lens and are trained in non-surgical orthopedic solutions!

Dr. Ryan starts his evaluation with a bedside ultrasound exam of the injured area- a painless, inexpensive and non-invasive way to image the affected area. From there, he can either confirm that the best path forward is surgery OR give you options for a non-surgical approach.
We’ve helped patients overcome their injuries and get back to the activities they love the most without needing the surgery.

Schedule a new patient visit with Dr. Ryan if you’re facing the scenario!

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What’s your favorite Spring-time activity? ⛷️🏃‍♀️🧗‍♂️
If you’re a skier, boarder or other form of snow-bunny, you’ve probably loved 🥰 this year’s “powder-for-days” season. The rest of us are (im)patiently waiting for the 🌞!

No matter your preferred activity, we all feel our best when we’re getting outside and moving!
If injuries or pain are keeping you from “springing” in to motion this season, come see us! Our Move Better team can help!
Life is too short to not be spending time doing the things you love the most.
Schedule using link in bio! Don’t know where to start? Schedule a Concierge Call with our wellness experts, who can help you schedule with the right provider!

Seen 👆🏽, Dr. Ryan preparing to shred some pow on his birthday weekend!

#movebetter #sportschiropractic #dryneedling #massagetherapy #sportsmassage #acupuncture #movebetterfeelbetter #regenerativemedicine #prp #prolotherapy
Feeling weathered by Winter? 🥶 You’re not alo Feeling weathered by Winter? 🥶 You’re not alone! When the sun decides to make its first grand appearance, it literally sheds light on skin that is dry, desiccated & dull, revealing more wrinkles and fine lines than we remember having 😒.

The solution? Our Custom Combo! Since it’s a perfect time of year to get a facial refresh- we’re offering 10% off the Custom Combo (typically $225) through March 31st. 👏🏽👏🏽

What’s a Custom Combo? Well, that depends on YOU - we create a 60 (or 90 minut) experience that is dedicated to fulfilling your aesthetic goals and addressing your skin’s needs.

Our Advanced Aesthetician blends an array of therapies and products that aim to deliver results. As a bonus, it’s also extremely relaxing!

A Custom Combo may include a blend of 4 or more of the following:
- hydradermabrasion
- ultrasonic exfoliation
- dermaplaning
- microcurrent facial sculpting
- custom masks (ie tightening)
- peels
- LED therapy (ie Red light)
- craniosacral therapy
- & more!

The Custom Combo is the foundation of our new Look Better Aesthetic membership! It’s a great way to test drive this new program before committing. Schedule using link in bio!

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Nothing makes us happier 😀 than receiving posit Nothing makes us happier 😀 than receiving positive reviews and feedback (like this testimonial)!

Our goal is for patients to feel well-cared for from the moment they step into our clinic, to the moment they check-out.

@formhealthpdx we aim to deliver:
- expert & informed care
- team-based approach
- excellent customer service
- customized & inspired treatment plans
- & most importantly, results!!

If you’ve had such an experience, we’d so appreciate a review on Google! 

#feelbetter #movebetter #lookbetter #functionalmedicine #regenerativemedicine #sportsacupuncture #naturalpainrelief

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