If you suffer from chronic back pain, you will likely try anything that might relieve the pain. From chiropractic techniques, to injections, to surgery – there are numerous options that can help reduce pain. In this article, we are going to take a look at one such pain relief option – prolotherapy. We’ll take a look at what exactly it entails and when it can be helpful in treating back pain.

What is Prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a pain relief method that involves using injections to heal injured connective tissues (typically located in the back). The injection causes the soft tissues to become inflamed, and jump-starts the body’s natural healing process. Prolotherapy can be helpful in the treatment of any of the following conditions:

• Whiplash
• Degenerative spinal discs
• Sciatica
• Soft Tissue Injuries in the back

This is a treatment option for back pain for patients who wish to avoid minimally invasive surgery. The use of prolotherapy is not widespread in the United States. Many consider it an alternative therapy, and it is not taught in medical school as a pain management tool. That being said, there are a number of studies that indicate the effectiveness of prolotherapy in reducing pain.

Prolotherapy vs. Spine Surgery

As we’ve said time and time again on this site, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for back pain. What works for one patient, may not work well for another. That’s why each patient’s situation must be examined, evaluated, and treated individually. Some patients ware immediately good candidates for a minimally invasive spine surgery. Others should attempt non-surgical treatment options before going through with surgery. Prolotherapy works the same way – it is another treatment option.

Prolotherapy should only be performed by a qualified physician trained in the procedure. If you are interested in whether prolotherapy can help reduce your back pain, talk to your physician to see if they recommend it.

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