Aftercare Instructions — The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center®
After Your ProloBoost™ Dual PRP Procedure
A clear, step-by-step guide for the days and weeks following your ProloBoost Dual PRP treatment at The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center®.
Jacques Courseault, MD, CAQSM, FAAPMR · The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center®
Most Important Rule
Do not apply ice for the first 7–10 days.
Ice blocks the inflammatory cascade that drives PRP healing. After day 10, ice is safe and permitted.
Medications
No NSAIDs for 12 weeks following treatment.
Anti-inflammatories suppress the exact healing response we just triggered. Tylenol is permitted.
Understanding the Soreness
You will get sore. That is the treatment working.
ProloBoost Dual PRP heals tissue through two complementary biological responses working simultaneously. The platelet-rich plasma delivers a concentrated payload of growth factors — PDGF, TGF-β, IGF-1, and VEGF — directly into the damaged tissue. These growth factors signal fibroblasts to proliferate, stimulate collagen synthesis, and recruit your body’s own repair cells to the treated area.
The prolotherapy component — targeted dextrose injected into the surrounding structures — creates a controlled, localized inflammatory response in the adjacent ligaments, tendons, and fascial tissue. Macrophages and neutrophils clear disorganized scar tissue and fascial adhesions; fibroblasts lay down new collagen along functional lines of force.
The soreness you feel is that process at work. The PRP drives growth factor signaling. The prolotherapy triggers the cleanup and rebuild cycle. Together they address the center of injury and the surrounding structures simultaneously — which is why the recovery and the result are more complete than either therapy alone.
“Soreness is not a side effect. It is the procedure. This is why we ask you to avoid NSAIDs, steroids, and ice — each one suppresses the exact biological response we just triggered.”
Medications to Avoid
What Not to Take — and Why
Do Not Use — NSAIDs
Avoid all prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications while undergoing ProloBoost and for 12 weeks following your treatment. NSAIDs suppress the platelet activation and inflammatory signaling that make PRP work.
This includes: Aspirin (adult dose), Motrin, Advil, ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn, naproxen, Voltaren, diclofenac, meloxicam, Mobic, and Celebrex.
Do Not Use — Steroids
Discontinue prednisone, cortisone, and any other oral corticosteroid for at least 4 weeks following treatment. If you take steroids for another medical condition, discuss with our clinic before stopping.
Generally safe to continue: Baby aspirin 81 mg. If another physician prescribes a new medication, send us a portal message before taking it. Check with your prescribing physician before stopping any medication taken for another health condition.
Recovery Timeline
What to Expect — A Typical Recovery Timeline
| Timeframe | What Is Happening | What You May Feel | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0 Procedure Day |
Growth factor release begins. PRP platelets activate and degranulate. First wave of immune cells arriving. | Immediate soreness or fullness. Some patients feel relief; others feel more sore within hours. | Rest. No ice. No NSAIDs. Light activity only. |
| Days 1–4 Peak Response |
Prolotherapy inflammation peaks. Macrophages clear scar tissue and adhesions. Growth factors driving fibroblast recruitment. | Most soreness. Stiffness, aching, “deep bruise” sensation. This is normal. | Tylenol OK. Ice and NSAIDs still avoided. |
| Days 5–14 Proliferation |
Fibroblasts proliferating and laying down new collagen. PRP growth factors continuing to signal tissue repair. | Soreness steadily improving. Original pain may feel different — sometimes better, sometimes shifted. | Light activity as tolerated. Return for Session 2 (typically Day 14). |
| Weeks 2–6 Remodeling |
New collagen organizing along functional lines of force. Surrounding structures reinforced by second prolotherapy session. | Continued improvement. Many patients notice structural change in this window. | Physical therapy most important here. Controlled movement helps organize new tissue. |
| Weeks 6–12 Maturation |
New tissue maturing and gaining tensile strength. PRP-driven remodeling continues. | Progressive functional gains. Durable structural improvement. | Follow-up imaging to assess response. Additional sessions decided at this visit. |
If your soreness is not improving after one week — or if it is getting worse — send us a portal message and we will guide next steps.
Your Second Treatment Session
Return for Session 2 in 2–4 weeks (typically Day 14).
ProloBoost is a two-session protocol. The second treatment delivers another round of supraphysiologic PRP and prolotherapy — building on the foundation Session 1 has already established. The two-session approach is what separates ProloBoost from a single PRP injection and is central to achieving durable structural change. Please call us to confirm your Day 14 appointment if you have not done so already.
Wound Care & Ice
First 12–24 hours: Keep each injection site clean, dry, and covered with a Band-Aid. You may shower at any time.
Days 1–10: No ice. No NSAIDs. Let the biological response work.
After Day 10: Ice is permitted — 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours as needed for comfort.
Localized swelling and bruising at injection sites can last up to two weeks. This is expected and resolves on its own.
Managing Discomfort
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is permitted. If you are sore, take Tylenol 1000 mg every 8 hours as needed — unless we have given you different instructions.
Tylenol does not interfere with the PRP healing response or the prolotherapy inflammatory cascade. It is the preferred over-the-counter option during your treatment window. Do not use NSAIDs or ice in the first 10 days.
Physical Therapy & Activity
We strongly recommend beginning physical therapy as soon as possible. The remodeling window — roughly weeks 2 through 6 — is when movement helps organize new tissue along functional lines of force.
Preferred modalities: Light massage, gentle stretching, and myofascial release all work well alongside ProloBoost.
Please avoid: Dry needling in a treated area during your ProloBoost course. Avoid repetitive exercise and heavy lifting of the treated area until your provider clears you.
Send a Portal Message If You Notice
— Drainage from the injection site
— Bleeding that does not stop with light pressure
— Fever after the procedure
— Pain that is worsening rather than improving after one week
If You Feel Severely Unwell
Do not hesitate to go to urgent care or the emergency room. Reach out to us afterward so we can coordinate follow-up care.
Patient Portal: phr.charmtracker.com
Phone: (504) 704-1254
“Your body can take many months to heal. Your injury is complex. Commit to the process. Each session builds on the one before. The goal is not a single moment of relief — it is durable structural change that holds.”
— The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center®
Questions Between Visits
Send us a message through the patient portal and our clinical team will reply during business hours. For urgent concerns outside of business hours, please call our office or seek in-person care.
Schedule Session 2
Your second ProloBoost session should be scheduled for Day 14 (2–4 weeks after today). Call us to confirm your appointment.