Prolotherapy is a treatment for chronic low back pain of unknown cause. It involves a series of injections into the painful or tender spinal or pelvic ligaments. It
can also be used for neck, wrist, knee, foot, or any joint pain from an injury. Some patients with arthritis and fibromyalgia have also found relief from pain with prolotherapy.
The injection contains different solutions depending on the doctor. Sometimes it’s glucose or dextrose, two forms of sugar. Some doctors use a hormone called erythropoietin to make red blood cells. A recent study from Australia reports using
saline (a salt solution) works just as well. It may not be what’s injected that matters, but the injection or needling itself that makes a difference.