Regenerating Joints & Eliminating Pain

Prolotherapy, short for proliferation therapy, involves injecting a mild irritant solution (most commonly hypertonic dextrose, often combined with a bit of local anesthetic) into or around weakened ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, or other connective tissues. 

The rationale is that the irritation triggers a local, controlled inflammatory response which “kickstarts” the body’s own healing process, tricking your body into thinking there is a new injury to heal. This stimulates fibroblasts, collagen formation, improved tissue strength, improved vascular ingrowth, and structural repair over time. 

Prolozone is considered a regenerative or supportive therapy rather than simply a symptomatic treatment (i.e. it's designed to repair, not provide pain relief.

Address the root cause, not just symptoms -  Injections like corticosteroids only suppress inflammation temporarily, prolotherapy aims to stimulate regeneration and repair.
 

Non-surgical option with lower risk and downtime - For those who want to avoid surgery or delay it, prolotherapy offers an alternative that typically has lower complication rates and faster recovery.
 

Useful when conservative treatments have failed - Many patients come after months or years of physical therapy, medications, injections, etc. Prolotherapy may be the next step before more invasive interventions.
 

Improved function and quality of life - Many patients report better mobility, less pain, more ability to engage in activities, and reduced dependence on pain meds.

Scalability and customizability - Prolotherapy can be tailored an individual's anatomy, degree of degeneration, and response.
 

Relatively low systemic risk - Compared to surgery or aggressive interventions and steriod injections, the negative systemic side effects are minimal, and procedures are localized.
 

Growing awareness Trend - Regenerative medicine iwhile commonplace overseas, is only recently gaining traction in the US. Both healthcare providers and patients in the US are now becoming more open to natural therapies that harness the body’s own healing potential.

Scar tissue forms as part of the body’s natural healing process after injury, surgery, or inflammation. However, excessive or disorganized collagen deposition can lead to:

• Restricted range of motion
   
• Pain, tightness, or pulling sensations
   
• Poor circulation and lymphatic flow
   
• Nerve entrapment or hypersensitivity
   

Prolotherapy may help by remodeling and softening the affected tissue over time. When a natural, regenerative solution is injected around fibrotic or adherent tissue, it stimulates:

• Localized micro-inflammation — encouraging the body to reinitiate a controlled healing response
   
• Fibroblast activation — producing new, better-aligned collagen fibers
   
• Improved blood and lymphatic flow — enhancing oxygenation and nutrient delivery to the area
   
• Breakdown of dysfunctional adhesions — gradually restoring mobility and reducing pain and stiffness
   

In combination with manual therapy, acupuncture, or myofascial release, prolotherapy injections can accelerate scar remodeling and desensitize the affected region.

A good candidate for prolotherapy typically has:

• Chronic musculoskeletal pain — not responding satisfactorily to conservative care (physical therapy, rest, medications, surgery, NSAIDs, etc.)
   
• Evidence or suspicion of joint ligament / tendon degeneration or lack of stability
   
• Localized pain / structural “weakness”

Individuals who should generally not receive prolotherapy (or require extra caution) include:

• Active local infection such as cellulitis at injection site
   
• Uncontrolled bleeding disorders or anticoagulation (unless managed)
   
• Allergy to injectants (rare)
   
• Acute fractures or unstable skeletal elements
   
• Severe vascular or neural compromise in the area
   
• Pregnancy (typically safe, but most providers avoid)
   
• Poor general health, immunosuppression (higher risk)
   

Because risk is low to moderate, the selection process (history, imaging, exam) is critical to identify patients who are likely to benefit while minimizing wasted treatment. We want you to have a successful investment in your health.

Non-surgical, minimally invasive - Individuals wanting to avoid surgery, or recover faster from surgery, often appreciate that prolotherapy is an injection-based intervention rather than open surgery.
 

Stimulates natural healing - Instead of just blocking pain, the treatment aims to harness your own regenerative capabilities to repair tissues.

Longer-term structural improvement (versus symptomatic therapies) - The goal is to strengthen ligaments and tendons, reduce joint instability, and provide more durable relief.

Reduced reliance on medications - For those taking chronic pain medications or NSAIDs, prolotherapy offers an alternative pathway that has the potential to help your body heal, rather than merely providing short-term pain relief.
 

Complement to other therapies - Many protocols combine prolotherapy with acupuncture, physical therapy, surgeries, etc.
 

Low systemic risk - Because the injected agent is simple (like dextrose or natural homeopathic ingredients) and local, systemic side effects are typically minimal.

It’s important (especially in marketing that maintains trust) to disclose potential downsides:

Common, mild side effects

• Temporary postinjection pain, soreness, stiffness (often 1–72 hours)
   
• Bruising or bleeding at injection sites
   
• Transient numbness, fullness sensation, mild swelling
   
• A flare of pain before improvement (sometimes expected)
   

Serious but rare adverse events

• Nerve injury (rare)
   
• Spinal complications (e.g. disc injury, spinal cord irritation) in spinal injections . Extremely rare
   
• Infection (as with any injection)
   
• Hemorrhage / local bleeding
   
• Injury to adjacent structures (e.g. pneumothorax in thoracic sites). Very rare in experienced hands
   

Limitations / caveats

• Results are not guaranteed; some patients may not respond, though this is unlikely and rare
   
• Multiple sessions are almost always required (often 3–7 or more)

• Lag time: benefits often emerge gradually, not immediately. Don't be discouraged. The body is healing behind the scenes.
   
• Not a substitute for biomechanical correction, rehab, strengthening, lifestyle changes, posture correction, etc.
   
• Because many payers view it as “experimental,” insurance often does not cover it. 

Prricing is highly variable (depending on location, provider experience, the anatomical site, number of injections, whether ultrasound guidance is used, clinic overhead, etc.)

Here's what to expect:

• East Lake Acupuncture (Kissimmee / St. Cloud) - $150-$600 per treatment which includes Heel and Guna brands (this matters)

• The Fascia Institute lists ~$400–$1,000 per treatment
   
• Most practices in Florida (e.g. Orlando) charge $375–$900 per session
   
• Caring Medical (Florida) posts prolotherapy (sternoclavicular) $450 each, wrist/ankle/elbow $600 each, Heel brand $500, etc .
   
• The Orthobiologic Clinic charges $895 (TMJ) per site, $1,270 for Heel or Guna brand injectiables. East Lake Accupuncture in Kissimmee charges $250 (TMJ) per site, and does not charge extra for Heel or Guna.

• A full course (3–6 visits) of prolotherapy, no matter when you go, is usually significantly less expensive than one PRP procedure, and many individuals report similar results.
   

In Kissimmee / Orlando / Central Florida, a realistic estimate is:

Typical cost: $250–$800 per session (site dependent). Most patients require 3–10 sessions. Because insurance  excludes coverage, patients must expect to pay out-of-pocket. We’ll provide a full cost breakdown at your consultation based on your specific anatomy and goals.