Prolotherapy Treatments

Prolotherapy — or “Proliferation Therapy”, also known as “Regenerative Injection Therapy” — uses a unique process to address some forms of chronic musculoskeletal pain. It usually involves injecting a mild irritant (dextrose, a sugar) into the joint, tendon, or ligament, leading to local irritation and swelling. In turn, this causes the body to “remember” and respond to the injury and therefore to initiate its inflammation cascade, a series of actions that accelerate recovery.

This response can involve an influx of specialised cells that contribute to tissue regeneration and repair, as well as the deposition of more collagen (a key component of cartilage, tendons and ligaments), which can lead to stronger ligaments and tendons.

Prolotherapy is often used to treat pain caused by degeneration of the joint (arthritis), tendon or ligament weakness or laxity, and injuries that have not fully healed and have not responded well to other forms of treatment. After injury or other trauma, scar tissue deposition interferes with the integrity of the tissue. Joints have poor blood supply compared to muscles, reducing the chance that they will heal quickly and correctly.

When healing is incomplete, muscles around the injury may have to work harder in order to stabilise the joint, possibly leading to recurrent muscle spasms, new trigger points, and physical compensation (conscious or not) that can lead to still more symptoms. Prolotherapy targets both tendons and ligaments to enhance soft-tissue integrity and create lasting stability in the affected joint.

This form of treatment is effective in resolving chronic musculoskeletal pain caused by injury, ligament laxity, joint hypermobility, and/or prolonged overuse.