What Is a Bulging or Degenerative Disc and How Can Prolotherapy Help?

What Is a Degenerative or Bulging Disc?

A degenerative disc is an age-related condition in which the discs between the vertebrae of the spine begin to break down. These deteriorated or damaged discs are commonly referred to as bulging or degenerative discs.

With age, the annulus fibrosus (the tough outer layer of the disc) can develop tears or cracks. As a result, the nucleus pulposus—the soft, jelly-like center—can leak out, causing the disc to bulge. Over time, the disc loses hydration, becomes thinner, and loses its ability to act as a shock absorber, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Symptoms of Degenerative or Bulging Discs

• Lower back pain

• Radiating pain down the leg (sciatica)

• Numbness or tingling

• Reduced flexibility

• Weakness in the legs or feet

Common Treatment Options

Several treatments are available for bulging or degenerative discs, including:

• Chiropractic care or physical therapy

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Rhizotomy or annuloplasty

• Surgical intervention

• Prolotherapy (Regenerative Injection Therapy)

How Prolotherapy Helps With Disc Recovery

Prolotherapy is a natural, injection-based therapy that stimulates the body’s healing response. The injections often contain a combination of local anesthetics, dextrose (natural sugar), vitamins, minerals, and growth factors. At Venturis Chiropractic and Acupuncture Clinic in Oklahoma City, Dr. Alvin Philipose offers advanced prolotherapy techniques using ozone (Prolozone) and collagen, helping patients experience long-lasting relief from disc-related pain.

Prolozone: Prolotherapy Using Ozone

Prolozone Therapy is a form of prolotherapy that utilizes medical-grade ozone gas along with natural substances like collagen, vitamins, and proliferative agents to repair damaged or degenerating discs.

How Prolozone Works

1. Enhanced Oxygen Utilization
   Ozone delivers an extra oxygen atom that reacts with amino acids and lipids, forming peroxides. These molecules enhance cellular respiration, converting NADH to NAD and increasing the NAD/NADH ratio. This boosts cell proliferation and healing at the disc site.

2. Restoration of Blood Flow
   Prolozone restores circulation to oxygen-deprived areas around degenerated discs, supporting tissue regeneration and reducing pain.

3. Reduction of Pain and Inflammation
   Ozone helps suppress inflammatory mediators like interleukins and substance P, offering fast and significant pain relief.

4. Stimulation of Growth Factors
   Prolozone triggers the release of epidermal and endothelial growth factors, promoting the repair of discs, ligaments, and surrounding tissues.

Collagen-Based Prolotherapy

Another effective approach used at Venturis Clinic is collagen prolotherapy. These injections are designed to stimulate an inflammatory response, encouraging the body to produce collagen fibers, which repair and strengthen degenerated or bulging discs.

• Promotes blood vessel formation

• Enhances disc regeneration

• Strengthens surrounding ligaments and stabilizes the spine

Why Choose Prolotherapy Over Surgery or Medications?

• Fast relief: 80%–90% of patients report significant pain reduction shortly after treatment.

• Non-invasive: Avoids the risks and downtime associated with surgery.

• Fewer side effects: Unlike NSAIDs or steroids, prolotherapy does not trigger harmful inflammatory pathways.

• Cost-effective: More affordable than surgical options.

• Natural healing: Supports the body’s own regenerative abilities.

• Long-lasting results: Increases cartilage and ligament thickness, preventing future degeneration.

Ready for Relief?

Prolotherapy offers a natural, lasting solution for bulging or degenerative discs. With over 20 years of experience and thousands of successful cases, Dr. Alvin Philipose at Venturis Clinic is a trusted expert in regenerative medicine.

Call 405-848-7246 today to schedule your consultation and find out if prolotherapy is right for you!