What Is Prolotherapy?

A Nonsurgical Ligament Reconstruction & Treatment For Chronic Pain

Prolotherapy uses a dextrose (sugar water) solution, which is injected into the ligament or tendon where it attaches to the bone. This causes a localized inflammation in these weak areas which then increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients and stimulates the tissue to repair itself.

First, it is important to understand what the word prolotherapy itself means. "Prolo" is short for proliferation, because the treatment causes the proliferation (growth, formation) of new ligament tissue in areas where it has become weak.

Ligaments are the structural "rubber bands" that hold bones to bones in joints. Ligaments can become weak or injured and may not heal back to their original strength or endurance. This is largely because the blood supply to ligaments is limited, and therefore healing is slow and not always complete. To further complicate this, ligaments also have many nerve endings and therefore the person will feel pain at the areas where the ligaments are damaged or loose. Tendons are the name given to tissue which connects muscles to bones, and in the same manner tendons may also become injured, and cause pain.

Prolotherapy Is Useful For What Conditions?

The treatment is useful for many different types of musculoskeletal pain, including:

Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Ligaments & Cartilage
Sciatica

Back Pain
Sports Injuries
Chronic Tendonitis
Degenerated or Herniated Discs
Neck Pain

Unresolved whiplash injuries
Partially Torn Tendons
TMJ

Historical review shows that Hippocrates first used a version of this technique on soldiers with dislocated, torn shoulder joints. He would stick a hot poker into the joint, and it would then miraculously heal normally. Of course, we do not use hot pokers today, but the principle is similar—get the body to repair itself, an innate ability that the body has.

How Long Will It Take For Treatment?

The response to treatment varies from individual to individual, and depends upon one's healing ability. Some people may only need a few treatments while others may need 10 or more. The average number of treatments is 4-6 for an area treated. The best thing to do is get an evaluation by a trained physician to see if you are an appropriate candidate. Once you begin treatment, your doctor can tell better how you are responding and give you an accurate estimate.