What's The Proof That Prolotherapy Is Working?
Ross Hauser, M.D.

This is a common question asked by people just about to receive Prolotherapy for the first time. Typically there are several variables that are looked at to make sure the Prolotherapy is achieving the results the person desires.

Function

Is the person able to function better? If a person can go up two flights of stairs without knee pain after Prolotherapy, whereas prior to the Prolotherapy this would cause excruciating pain then you know that Prolotherapy is helping their function. Typically people come to get Prolotherapy because there is some function they are not able to do because of the pain. If it is throwing a baseball hard, then we would want the person to get Prolotherapy until this function was able to be performed. Whatever the function is, a person should receive Prolotherapy until they can do the activity they desire without pain.

Strength

Ligament and tendon injury cause muscle strength to go down. When a person receives Prolotherapy one of the noticeable effects is that there strength increases in the area injected. So whether it is the back, neck, knees, or whatever other joint a person should notice an improvement in the strength in the area that received Prolotherapy.

Pain

Pain, as you can see, is only one variable that is helped by Prolotherapy. A noticeable decrease in pain is a great benefit of getting Prolotherapy. Ideally a person would receive Prolotherapy until all of their pain is gone.

Stiffness

It is common for people to have stiffness upon wakening or after activity. Most commonly this is in the lower back or neck, but could involve any area of the body. A great sign that Prolotherapy is working is that there is no longer any stiffness. Once Prolotherapy helps stabilize the area involved, the muscles no longer have to provide this stability so they relax. Once they relax, the stiffness subsides.

Physical Examination

X-ray

X-rays are a poor indicator that Prolotherapy is working. The reason being that most ligaments do not show up well on X-rays. I have had repeat MRI's and X-rays show improvement after Prolotherapy in various areas of the body including the knees, but don't rely solely on this indicator.

Summary

There is definitely quite a few ways that a person can tell that the Prolotherapy is working. The above is not an exhaustive list, but just a short explanation as to ways a person can tell that the Prolotherapy is accomplishing what it was set out to do...specifically to set the person free...free from pain, immobility, limiting activities, and stiffness.