Prolotherapy: An effective treatment for chronic pain?

Multiple studies of prolotherapy have reported conflicting evidence regarding its effectiveness in treating chronic pain. Some studies have shown a benefit, others showed none. More research is needed to determine what role, if any, prolotherapy plays in the treatment of chronic pain.

Prolotherapy involves injecting painful ligaments and tendons with sugar solutions that are intended to stimulate production of connective tissue. Proponents believe that these treatments restore strength and stability to ligaments and joints, which may relieve pain. Prolotherapy has been used to treat a number of painful musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis and chronic back pain. A typical course of treatment is six to 10 sessions, sometimes with multiple injections at each session.

Prolotherapy is known to cause some pain at the injection site, but this is typically mild and temporary. As with any injection, there is a risk of infection, bruising, bleeding or tissue damage.

Prolotherapy is often combined with massage, physical therapy or manipulation of joints. Also, the exact composition of the injected solutions varies, so not all forms of prolotherapy are the same. As a result of this variability, the possible effectiveness of prolotherapy remains unclear.