Liza Maniquis-Smigel, MD

As physiatrist , who specializes in  in improving  peoples quality of life,   I have traveled the world to find treatment for chronic pain, as I see hundreds of patients who are disabled from this and  have "maxed out" on the usual conservative measures and are essentially hanging at the end of their rope with little hope for relief.
In my search, I discovered prolotherapy 10 years ago, a therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain based on injecting dextrose into   weakened or injured ligaments and tendon and cartilage, so as to allow your body’s own healing mechanism to strengthen and stabilize joints, resulting in pain relief

Immersed within this paradigm, I treated  thousands of patient with great success.  The pain diminished and patients gradually returned to their usual function.

Continuing to travel abroad on medical missions and to teach other physicians on Prolotherapy training courses, I heard about Neural Prolotherapy 3 years ago, as an equally effective and less painful procedure to treat pain.

JOHN LYFTOGT MD, from NEW ZEALAND, discovered that Dextrose subcutaneous near nerve injections, targeting sensory peptidergic nerves, relieves pain and cures neuropathic pain and other chronic conditions.   As an electrodiagnostician, the topic aroused my curiosity, as I know that “only nerves can communicate Pain to your brain”   for us to consciously experience pain.

In November, 2009, I   attended the First Neural Prolotherapy Workshop that John Lyftogt and his wife Maria, organized in Christchurch, New Zealand.  The concepts of Neurogenic inflammation and neuropathic pain and HILTON’s Law were emphasized and my training as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and as an electrodiagnostician helped me understand this language.   Dr. Lyftogt believes that the inflammation of the nerves is the cause of diseases of ligaments, tendons, joints and not the consequence.  “Neurogenic inflammation precedes the immune inflammation.”  In this workshop, Dr. Lyftogt treated many patients who presented with problems of the knee, low back, neck, complex regional pain syndrome, etc.  and each patient, after applying this treatment, had instant relief of their pain!

This was a mind-blowing experience.  I realized then the powerful painkiller effect of dextrose.  Dr. Lyftogt and his patients also commented on the long term cumulative action of this procedure, resulting in cure with repeated treatments.   

I am honored to be part of this initial group (12 attendees) and to help spread the word about this fantastic treatment. We share our experiences as we are enriched, forming a bigger family of Neural Prolotherapists. Since its discovery, it has benefited hundreds of my patients. This analgesic effect has been reproduced consistently and predictably by all who have tried it.  As expected, this knowledge is quickly spreading in the world of chronic pain Physicians.   Since his First Neural Prolotherapy Workshop in 2009,  Dr. Lyftogt,   and others he has trained, have shared this technique to about 200 Doctors from 15 different countries who have observed this immediate result.  Repeated treatments with D5W have demonstrated a steady reduction in all signs of neurogenic inflammation. From clinical experience, it is predicted that D5W has a potent TRPV1 antagonistic effect.  Neural Prolotherapy and the science of Neurogenic Inflammation is the Paradigm Shift that is changing the world of Pain.

I’m passionate to share this knowledge so it can benefit so many people who need our help in getting their life back.    I am privileged to be part of the team of Dr. John Lyftogt, and with this journey is the gratification of helping people, along with meeting a great group of friends along the way.  (Thank you Drs. John Lyftogt, David de la Mora, Irene Briceno Felix, Steven Cavallino, Lee Wolfer, Dean Reeves, Howie Rosen).

AND THE BEST IS  YET TO COME

Liza Maniquis-Smigel, MD