PERINEURAL INJECTION THERAPY (PIT)
What Is Perineural Injection Therapy?
Perineural Injection Therapy (PIT) is a safe and effective technique for managing pain across various conditions. Developed by Dr. John Lyftogt, it involves targeted 5% glucose injections along the course of subcutaneous nerves. The treatment aims to restore movement and reduce pain in the area treated, by reducing neurogenic inflammation generated by irritated nerves.
PIT is effective in treating many painful musculoskeletal conditions, including, but not limited to:
- Shoulder impingement
- Frozen shoulder
- Hip and knee pain
- Tennis elbow
- Neck-related headaches
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Recent soft tissue injuries
- Achilles tendinopathy
Our Perineural Injection Providers
James Walker
Senior Physiotherapist/ Clinical Director
James is one of PHYSIOSOUTH's clinical directors. He leads the Moorhouse Medical and City Fitness clinics. James has over 15 years of experience, specializing in a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. James has a keen interest in the mechanical diagnosis and treatment of neck and back pain (McKenzie credentialed therapist), tendon injuries (tendinopathies), complex shoulder and hip/groin injuries, and running-related injuries. He is respected as a specialist in these areas.
James began his career at PHYSIOSOUTH in 2002. From there he moved to Auckland to work at the Auckland University physiotherapy clinic where he specialized in acute sports injuries. Alongside this, he studied orthopedic manual therapy at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. In 2008 James moved to London. Here he co-founded a successful multi-disciplinary clinic with the key purpose of leading-edge musculoskeletal health for communities. For James, the ultimate goal is to support people in overcoming their boundaries and getting back to their best after an injury.
Sarah Nelson
Chiropractor
Sarah has over 20 years of knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of neck pain, back pain and headaches. She is well respected in these areas and has undertaken many postgraduate studies to complement her practical skills.
Sarah understands the role that poor posture and ergonomics have on causing persistent pain and has extensive knowledge in the best approach and exercises to improve both posture and function.
Sarah began her career in Melbourne, Australia in 2001, after completing a 5 year University degree in Health Science and Chiropractic. She later worked in a number of clinics in Hamilton, Waikato focusing on both acute and chronic injuries.
Everyone is different, and it is important to Sarah that treatment is individually determined based on the client's age and their symptoms.
Sarah appreciates the opportunity provided at Sports Clinic to integrate chiropractic with other health disciplines.
Chris Cannon
Chiropractor
Chris is a Christchurch Based Chiropractor who is originally from Napier, Hawkes Bay, where he spent his youth consumed with sports and education. He went on to complete a five-year Chiropractic degree in 2009.
He spent a further couple of years working in Auckland, then went on to work in Ireland and the UK. Back in NZ since 2014 and loves the collaborative approach here at Sports Clinic.
Chris treats a wide variety of conditions causing musculoskeletal or limb pain and has a keen interest in treating people with headaches. He has years of experience in working with back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as providing athletes with optimal performance and gains.
He enjoys working as part of a team and feels that the multidisciplinary approach at Sports Clinic is the way ahead.
PERINEURAL INJECTION THERAPY (PIT)
How does it work?
Glucose is an essential energy source for all cells, including nerve cells. The nerve supply and blood supply to a nerve become compromised if it is injured, compressed, or stretched anywhere along its path. Because of this, fewer nutrients, like glucose, reach the nerve, which causes the nerve to become stressed at that location.
A damaged nerve begins to swell, become irritable, hypersensitive, and fire more rapidly, resulting in pain. In an effort to heal itself, the nerve also produces inflammation. If the swelling and compression persist, these inflammatory substances further irritate the nerve. The fuel required to reduce swelling and abnormal firing, as well as to restore normal nerve function and healing, is provided by injecting 5% glucose around these sensitized and irritable nerves. As a result, pain is immediately reduced, and range of motion and function is enhanced.
PERINEURAL INJECTION THERAPY (PIT)
What does the treatment involve?
Following an initial discussion and examination to determine if the treatment is suitable for you, tender points in the field of the irritated nerve are identified. PIT injections are administered with very small and short needles just beneath the surface of the skin. Multiple injections are performed along the course of subcutaneous nerves. You may experience mild discomfort, generally, this will subside within a few minutes.
Treatments are repeated every 1-2 weeks until all the pain has resolved. Typically, patients require between 4-8 treatments in total. This can differ depending on how long the injury has been present as well as the degree of the damage. When pain returns, it is usually substantially less severe.
The technique aims to improve movement and reduce pain in the area treated at the time of treatment. This analgesic, pain-relieving effect can last from a few hours to a few days. When pain returns, it is usually substantially less severe. On average, patients notice a 15-20% improvement after each treatment.
