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Prolotherapy for Low Back Pain

Table of Contents

Treatment Overview

Prolotherapy involves injecting a substance in or near the joint. The injection is intended to cause inflammation. The body responds to the inflammation by increasing blood flow to the area and stimulating repair in the area. This may reduce pain. Usually a person has a series of treatments.

Prolotherapy injections alone may not be helpful for chronic low back pain. But they may reduce pain and help you be more active if they are used in addition to other treatment such as exercise and spinal manipulation.

The biggest risk in prolotherapy treatment is nerve damage from an injection placed too close to a nerve. Most pain experts do not recommend prolotherapy for low back pain.

Credits for Prolotherapy for Low Back Pain

Current as of: July 11, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board: All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.