Living with persistent joint or tendon discomfort can interfere with work, mobility, and everyday routines. Individuals seeking care for rotator cuff injury in Chicago, Illinois, often explore regenerative treatment options that support the body’s natural healing process. Understanding how prolotherapy works can help patients make informed decisions about managing chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

The original therapy in the field of regenerative medicine, prolotherapy is a non-surgical technique using an irritating substance (often saline or dextrose) to initiate an inflammatory response to help heal injured tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue structures. It can be used to treat certain types of back pain. The goal of the injection is to relieve pain and restore function to the injured structure by improving laxity and weakness. By injecting the saline or dextrose, a low-level inflammatory response is started, which produces various chemicals called growth factors. This activates fibroblasts, which are the precursors for collagen formation, which reinforce connective tissue. Other terms for prolotherapy include sclerosant therapy or sclerotherapy.

What conditions does prolotherapy treat?

The use of prolotherapy has been used for many years. It can be an effective back pain treatment for those suffering from degenerative disc disease, as well as used to treat various musculoskeletal injuries including:

• Chronic tendon injuries (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendonosis, etc)
• Acute ligament injuries (ACL tears, rotator cuff tears)
• Acute muscle injuries (hamstring tears, bicep tears, etc)
• Osteoarthritis in joints (knee, shoulders, hip)
• Labral tears (shoulder, hip)
• Plantar Fasciitis

Who is a candidate for this back pain treatment?

After exhausting conservative treatment options, including a comprehensive physical therapy regimen, individuals may be considered candidates for prolotherapy injections. Often, one injection is not enough to provide the desired outcome, which is complete repair of the injured soft tissue; typically, three injections are needed for full benefit. What Are The Advantages Of Prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy was first practiced in the 1930s with a long track record of safety. There is a limited risk associated with the injections. Additionally, the injection material is rather inert, which limits systemic side effects.

Are You A Good Candidate For Prolotherapy?

After trying more conservative options for your back pain, discuss with Dr. Li at Integrative Medical Pain Clinic if prolotherapy is right for you. Most individuals are candidates if you have exhausted other treatment options.

Every treatment plan is designed around your unique needs and goals. Reach out to Integrative Medical Pain Clinic to discuss the care option that best fits you.