Perineural Injection Therapy: The Revolutionary Treatment That’s Changing Pain Management

Introduction

If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain that hasn’t responded to conventional treatments, you may not have heard of Perineural Injection Therapy (PIT) — groundbreaking treatment developed by Dr. John Lyftogt that’s transforming pain management worldwide.

Unlike pain medications that mask symptoms or surgeries that carry significant risks, PIT addresses the root cause of many chronic pain conditions by healing the nerves themselves.

What Is Perineural Injection Therapy?

Perineural Injection Therapy is a minimally invasive treatment in which small amounts of dextrose (a natural sugar) are injected around affected nerves to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and restore normal nerve function.

Dr. John Lyftogt, a New Zealand physician, developed this technique based on decades of research into nerve inflammation and pain.

How Does Perineural Injection Therapy Work?

The Mechanism of Action

When nerves become inflamed — whether from injury, repetitive stress, compression, or other causes — they develop a condition called “perineural inflammation.”

Dextrose, when injected around the nerve, works through several mechanisms:

Osmotic Effect: Creates an osmotic gradient that draws excess fluid away from the inflamed nerve tissue, reducing swelling and pressure.

Anti-inflammatory Response: Triggers a mild, controlled inflammatory response that activates the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Nerve Regeneration: Stimulates the growth of new nerve fibers and promotes restoration of normal nerve function.

Pain Signal Interruption: By reducing nerve inflammation, PIT interrupts the pain signals being sent to the brain.

Conditions Treated with PIT

• Neuropathic Pain
• Nerve Compression Syndromes
• Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Headaches and Migraines
• Joint Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Post-Surgical Pain
• Sports Injuries

The Procedure

A perineural injection therapy session typically takes 15-30 minutes. The procedure begins with a thorough assessment to identify which nerves are inflamed and contributing to your pain. The practitioner locates the affected nerve and injects small amounts of dextrose solution around it.

The injections are relatively painless — most patients report minimal discomfort during the procedure.

Treatment Protocol

Most patients require a series of injections spaced 1-2 weeks apart. A typical treatment course involves 3-6 sessions, though some patients may need more depending on severity and duration.

Many patients experience immediate pain relief after the first injection, though full benefits typically develop over several weeks as the nerve heals.

The Science Behind PIT

Dr. Lyftogt’s original research demonstrated that dextrose injections around inflamed nerves reduce pain and restore function in patients who had failed conventional treatments.

Studies show that perineural injection therapy: – Reduces pain by an average of 70-80% – Improves function and quality of life – Produces results that last months to years – Can often eliminate the need for pain medications – Avoids the risks and complications of surgery

Integrating PIT with Other Modalities

While perineural injection therapy is powerful on its own, its effects are dramatically enhanced when combined with functional medicine, TCM, and physiotherapy.

PIT + Functional Medicine

Functional medicine addresses the systemic factors that created the nerve inflammation in the first place.

PIT + TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine enhances PIT by promoting Qi flow and blood circulation to the affected area.

PIT + Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy complements PIT by restoring proper movement patterns and rebuilding strength.

Potential Side Effects

Perineural injection therapy is generally very safe, with minimal side effects:

• Temporary soreness at injection sites (resolves within 24-48 hours)
• Temporary increased pain (24-48 hours, indicating healing activation)
• Mild bruising (occasionally)

Serious complications are extremely rare when performed by a trained practitioner.

Is PIT Right for You?

If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain, particularly nerve-related pain, and conventional treatments haven’t provided relief, perineural injection therapy may be a game-changer.