Prolotherapy is a complementary treatment for muscle and joint pain. The treatment involves repeated injections of an irritant solution into part of a joint — the joint's interior, for example, or a supporting tendon or ligament. The irritant, usually a sugar solution, is thought to trigger growth in the connective tissue of the joint, eventually leading to reduced pain.
Studies of prolotherapy in people with low back pain have had mixed results. A combination of prolotherapy and spinal manipulation or back exercises seems to be more effective than is prolotherapy alone.
The American Pain Society recommends against prolotherapy for treating low back pain, but other authorities are suspending judgment until larger, more-thorough studies have been done. Until then, talk to your doctor before deciding whether prolotherapy is right for you.
Show References
- Chou R. Subacute and chronic low back pain: Nonsurgical interventional treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Aug. 2, 2015.
- Distel LM, et al. Prolotherapy: A clinical review of its role in treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. PM & R. 2011;3:S78.
- Daganais S, et al. Prolotherapy injections for chronic low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004059.pub3/abstract. Accessed Aug. 3, 2015.
- Chou R, et al. Interventional therapies, surgery and interdisciplinary rehabilitation for low back pain. Spine. 2009;34:1066.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/prolotherapy/expert-answers/faq-20058347