What Is Prolotherapy? A Regenerative Approach to Pain Relief
If you’ve been struggling with chronic joint or ligament pain, you might be searching for solutions beyond medications or surgery. One promising regenerative treatment that’s gaining recognition is prolotherapy.
Prolotherapy—short for “proliferation therapy”—is a natural injection-based treatment that stimulates the body’s own healing response to repair and strengthen injured or weakened tissues. It’s often used for musculoskeletal conditions involving joints, ligaments, and tendons, particularly when healing has stalled or isn’t progressing with conventional care.
How It Works
Prolotherapy involves injecting a mild irritant solution—most commonly a dextrose (sugar) solution—into the affected area. This irritation is intentional: it triggers a local inflammatory response that brings increased blood flow and healing cells to the site. Over time, this can lead to the growth of new, healthy tissue and improved structural support, reducing pain and improving function.
What It Helps Treat
Prolotherapy is commonly used for:
- Chronic low back pain
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Tendon injuries (like tennis elbow or Achilles tendinopathy)
- Ligament sprains
- Shoulder instability
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
It’s especially helpful for pain related to ligament laxity or soft tissue damage that hasn’t responded well to rest, physiotherapy, or anti-inflammatory approaches.
What to Expect
Prolotherapy is typically done in a series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart. The number of treatments depends on the area treated and the individual’s healing response. After each session, patients may feel temporary soreness as the body begins the repair process.
Unlike cortisone shots, which reduce inflammation, prolotherapy encourages it—so some discomfort is part of the process. But the goal is long-term healing, not just symptom masking.
Is It Safe?
When performed by a trained practitioner, prolotherapy is considered very safe. The solutions used are natural and well-tolerated, and serious side effects are rare. It’s a minimally invasive option that doesn’t involve medications or surgery.
Is Prolotherapy Right for You?
Prolotherapy is best suited for people dealing with chronic pain or injury that hasn’t improved with conventional care. It’s a great option for active individuals hoping to stay mobile without resorting to surgery or long-term medication use.
If you’re curious whether prolotherapy might be helpful for your specific condition, speak with a sports medicine or regenerative medicine provider. They can help determine whether you’re a good candidate and guide you through the process.
