
Dr. Troy Harris is an experienced provider of glucopuncture therapy. This treatment provides similar pain relieving effects as steroids, without the associated side effects. While steroid injections can result in tissue atrophy and other damaging side effects, glucopuncture actually stimulates healing and strengthening of damaged tissues, ligaments, and tendons.
Glucopuncture, or sugar water injection, can effectively mitigate TNF-alpha activation, a cytokine that plays a critical role in driving both acute and chronic inflammation. TNF-alpha promotes inflammation in response to injury or infection, which is a vital part of the healing process. However, when TNF-alpha levels remain elevated over time, it can lead to chronic inflammation, which has damaging effects on tissue health and contributes to pain and injuries.
Acute inflammation is a short-term, beneficial response that helps the body repair tissue and fight infections. In contrast, chronic inflammation is a prolonged response that can weaken tissues and slow down healing. This sustained inflammation can lead to tissue breakdown, fibrosis, and chronic pain conditions.
By reducing the activation of TNF-alpha, dextrose can help lower NF-κB activity, which is another key regulator of inflammation and immune responses. Together, this modulation helps control excessive inflammation, allowing tissues to heal and potentially reducing the likelihood of pain associated with chronic inflammatory conditions.
Furthermore, dextrose can modulate TRPV1 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1), a receptor on nerve cells that senses pain. Chronic inflammation often sensitizes TRPV1, leading to persistent pain. By modulating this receptor, dextrose injections can help alleviate pain. Dextrose also provides ATP to cells, fueling their metabolism and supporting tissue repair, which can enhance overall recovery and restore tissue health.
Dr. Harris successfully utilizes this therapy almost daily in his office. Glucopuncture is surprisingly affordable and effective for a wide variety of painful foot and ankle conditions, and is a viable alternative to much more expensive procedures such as PRP injections and surgery.