Mesotherapy is a method of treatment of alternative medicine, which enjoys great popularity, especially in France, and was established about fifty years ago by the French country doctor Pistor. The procedure is a combination of several therapeutic principles such as neural therapy, medicinal therapy and acupuncture. In mesotherapy, multiple microinjections are placed both subcutaneously (under the skin) and intracutaneously (into the skin) directly over the diseased area of the body. Various substances combined with a local anesthetic (agent for local anesthesia) are injected.
Indications (areas of application)
- Indications of aesthetic medicine – e.g. cellulite, wrinkles or alopecia (hair loss).
- Indications of gynecology – eg dysmenorrhea (period pain).
- Circulatory disorders – eg Ulcus cruris (lat. Ulcus = ulcer and crus = thigh, lower leg); these are poorly healing (chronic), deep wounds / ulcers on the lower legs and feet; colloquially, this is often referred to as “open legs”.
- Diseases of the rheumatic form – e.g. chronic joint inflammation.
- States of exhaustion – burnout syndrome
- Cephalgia (headache) – e.g. migraine
- Insomnia (sleep disorders)
- Climacteric syndrome – menopausal symptoms.
- Smoking cessation
- Recurrent infections/immune deficiency
- Sports injuries – e.g., distortion (sprain; strain), tendinitis (tendonitis), or contusion (bruise).
- Stress
- Wound healing disorders
Contraindications
- Intolerance or allergy to the substances used.
- Coagulation disorder
- Pregnancy
The procedure
The term mesotherapy is derived from the Greek word meso, which means “-means”. This refers to the so-called mesoderm, a structure in human embryonic development called the middle cotyledon. From which certain cell lineages differentiate into various tissues of “mesodermal” origin. These include connective and supporting tissues (bones), muscles and spleen. In mesotherapy, these structures, among others, are the target of treatment. As already mentioned, the mesotherapist applies a large number of superficial injections, the so-called salves. In doing so, he makes use of different techniques. One possibility is quaddling: depots are placed in the skin, which guarantee a long duration of action. The very thin needles are sterile disposable material. In addition to the pharmacological effects, the injections are said to have a beneficial effect on the following structures:
- Immune system – the immune system is locally modulated and strengthened.
- Neuro-vegetative system – the regulation of the local autonomic nervous system is influenced in favor of healing.
- Vascular system – by influencing the microregulation can improve blood flow, this effect is used in arterial and venous circulatory disorders.
The injected solutions contain various substances and a local anesthetic, but the dosage is very small and forms the carrier solution. In combination with the local anesthetic, homeopathics, phytopharmaceuticals (herbal drugs), allopathics (chemical drugs), as well as vitamins, trace elements, organ and enzyme preparations are applied. The following list provides an overview of the substances commonly used:
- Ethoxysclerol – sclerosing agent used, for example, for the sclerotherapy of varicose veins.
- Buflomedil (sympatholytic) – substance used for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (pAVK), and, among other things, produces vasodilation (vasodilatation).
- Botulinum toxin – powerful neurotoxin that paralyzes the muscles.
- Choline citrate – parasympathomimetic.
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Etamsylate – antihemorrhagic, reduces the tendency to bleed.
- Hyaluronic acid – protein that is a component of connective tissue.
- Salmon calcitonin – synthetic thyroid hormone.
- Organ extracts
- Pentoxiphylline – blood circulation stimulating agent.
- Phosphatidylcholine – component of natural cell membranes.
- Phytopharmaceuticals – herbal medicinal substances.
- Procaine and lidocaine (local anesthetics).
- Theophylline – substance that has a bronchodilating effect (dilates the bronchi) and is used in bronchial asthma
- Triiodothyronine – thyroid hormone.
- Vital substances – vitamins and minerals
According to the DGM, mesotherapy is recommended for:
Infections
- General immune deficiency
Psyche – Mental
- Stress
- Nervousness
- Burnout syndrome
- Insomnia
- Depressive mood
- Smoking cessation
Brain – Nerves
- Migraine
- Tension headache
- Neuralgia (nerve pain)
- Vertigo (dizziness)
Eyes and eye appendages
- Age defect vision
Ears
- Age-related hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Heart – Circulation
- Circulatory disorders in the arterial and venous system
Skin – hair – nails
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Cellulite
- Wrinkles
- Disturbances in wound healing
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
- Rheumatism
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendinitis (tendonitis)
- Bruises
- Distortion (strain)
Kidney – urinary bladder – genitals
- Irritable bladder
- Infertility – inability to carry a child to term.
- Recurrent infections of the female reproductive organs such as vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina).
- Dysmenorrhea – painful menstrual bleeding.
Teeth – dental bed
- Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
- Periodontitis (disease of the periodontium).
Possible complications
- According to the German Society for Mesotherapy (DGM), hardly any side effects are to be expected when used correctly, with fast and long-lasting effectiveness.
Benefits
Mesotherapy is a procedure that is versatile, has few side effects and is an alternative treatment option for refractory conditions.
