Our Treatments and Therapies
Treatments for Chronic Pain
When patients present with chronic musculoskeletal pain, Dr. Karen Tan typically uses acupuncture as a first line of treatment. If their pain persists after a few treatments, she’ll often recommend injection therapy to help with pain resolution or joint stabilization.
What you need to know
How does Dr. Karen Tan typically approach chronic pain treatment?
Acupuncture
Perineural Injection Therapy
Prolotherapy
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Dr Tan uses acupuncture as a first line of treatment for pain. For chronic pain, it will typically take multiple sessions. If the pain persists, Dr Tan will often use one of the following injection therapies.
When is Perineural Injection Therapy used?.
Perineural Injection Therapy is used for persistent muscle stiffness, migraines, chronic pain, headaches, feeling discomfort in an area and needing to constantly massage or stretch. This treatment is very effective for plantar fasciitis, chronic migraines and headaches, trigeminal neuralgia and other types of chronic pain. This type of injection therapy is used as a diagnostic as well as treatment. If there is pain resolution after the treatment, then we know its the correct treatment for that condition.
How does prolotherapy help with joint instability and tendon or ligament injuries?
When there is trauma as In cases of falls, injuries, strain or sprain, tendons and ligaments become overstretched, leading to pain and instability. Prolotherapy activates the body’s immune response to repair and strengthen the area. Dr. Tan describes it as “spot welding” for the tendons and ligaments, and it is particularly effective in treating conditions like weak ankles from repeated sprains, knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, hand and ankle pain, arthritis, herniated disks, reduced disk space causing radiating pain, bone on bone pain.
When is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy recommended?
For more severe joint instability or when a stronger treatment is needed, Dr. Tan uses PRP therapy. PRP is a more potent option compared to dextrose-based prolotherapy and is often used as an alternative to joint replacement surgery.

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(808) 591-8778 and start your journey toward better health and wellness.