Neural Prolotherapy was developed by New Zealand physician Dr. John Lyftogt, who has been using this method to treat musculoskeletal injuries and various pain conditions over the last decade with outstanding results.

The theory behind Neural Prolotherapy is based on “Hilton’s Law”, named after British surgeon Dr. John Hilton.   An extraordinary anatomist, Dr. Hilton noted that the nerve that innervates a joint also innervates the skin overlying that joint and the muscles that move that joint.  Using this simple model, Dr. Lyftogt hypothesized that irritation to a nerve that supplies sensation to the skin over a joint may also cause dysfunction and pain to the muscles and tissue around that joint.

It has long been known that dextrose in traditional prolotherapy promotes healing in connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.   Because nerves also contain connective tissue, Dr. Lyftogt postulated that dextrose could allow for the same healing in nerves.  He injected small amounts of dextrose under the skin which resulted in decreased swelling, reduced pain, and improvement of function.

Dr. Lyftogt postulated that restoration of subcutaneous nerve function (those just beneath the surface of the skin) will lead to healing in deeper structures and reduction in pain. This method to treat musculoskeletal injuries and pain conditions has been used over the last decade with outstanding results, and Neural Prolotherapy is now being taught around the world.