How does it work?

Prolotherapy involves injection a solution such as dextrose (glucose sugar water) into the painful ligament and tendon sits, and/or adjacent joints. It is safe and water-soluble, which is easily excreted from the body after having the initial desired effect.

The solution works by causing cells to lose water, which triggers a localised inflammatory reaction and stimulates the growth of collagen fibres and connective tissue. This process thickens, tightens and strengthens weak tissue, resulting in a stronger and more effective tendon or ligament.

As the weakened area heals, pain is usually reduced or eliminated. Results are not immediate, it can take up to six to eight weeks to feel the benefits. A series of three injections, usually six weeks apart are given under a local anaesthetic to encourage optimal tissue growth. Prolotherapy is often used as an alternative to cortisone injections, which can weaken connective tissue with long term use.

Whilst prolotherapy has been used for many years, few studies have properly evaluated the efficacy of this therapy. Most have been focused on the lower back, with contradictory findings. Nevertheless, there is good evidence for prolotherapy's use on the sacroiliac joint. Regardless of the solution used, injecting into ligaments have been shown in some patients to induce inflammation, resulting in significant long term pain relief and reduced disability.