{"id":12065,"date":"2026-03-06T08:15:53","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T05:15:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/?p=12065"},"modified":"2026-03-06T09:23:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T06:23:40","slug":"what-is-prolotherapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/","title":{"rendered":"What is prolotherapy? How is prolotherapy treatment performed and in which conditions is it used?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Estimated reading time: 8 minutes 32 seconds<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#What_you_need_to_know_about_prolotherapy_treatment\" title=\"What you need to know about prolotherapy treatment\">What you need to know about prolotherapy treatment<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#What_is_prolotherapy\" title=\"What is prolotherapy?\">What is prolotherapy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#What_does_prolotherapy_do\" title=\"What does prolotherapy do?\">What does prolotherapy do?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#How_is_prolotherapy_performed\" title=\"How is prolotherapy performed?\">How is prolotherapy performed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#In_which_diseases_is_prolotherapy_used\" title=\"In which diseases is prolotherapy used?\">In which diseases is prolotherapy used?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#Is_prolotherapy_used_for_herniated_discs\" title=\"Is prolotherapy used for herniated discs?\">Is prolotherapy used for herniated discs?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#Who_is_not_suitable_for_prolotherapy\" title=\"Who is not suitable for prolotherapy?\">Who is not suitable for prolotherapy?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#Does_prolotherapy_have_any_harms\" title=\"Does prolotherapy have any harms?\">Does prolotherapy have any harms?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#What_are_the_side_effects_of_prolotherapy\" title=\"What are the side effects of prolotherapy?\">What are the side effects of prolotherapy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#Does_prolotherapy_cause_pain\" title=\"Does prolotherapy cause pain?\">Does prolotherapy cause pain?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#Is_pain_normal_after_prolotherapy\" title=\"Is pain normal after prolotherapy?\">Is pain normal after prolotherapy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#What_should_be_considered_after_prolotherapy\" title=\"What should be considered after prolotherapy?\">What should be considered after prolotherapy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/#Which_doctor_performs_prolotherapy_treatment\" title=\"Which doctor performs prolotherapy treatment?\">Which doctor performs prolotherapy treatment?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_you_need_to_know_about_prolotherapy_treatment\"><\/span>What you need to know about prolotherapy treatment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Some of us have experienced that the pain we notice while moving in daily life does not always go away simply by resting. Especially pain originating from muscles and joints can persist for a long time in some individuals and may affect daily quality of life. At this point, one of the treatment methods that has been heard more frequently in recent years is prolotherapy.<\/p>\n<p>Prolotherapy treatment is one of the injection methods evaluated in the treatment of some pain originating from the musculoskeletal system. In this article, we discuss in detail frequently asked questions such as what prolotherapy is, what prolotherapy treatment does, how it is applied, and what should be considered during the treatment process.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_prolotherapy\"><\/span>What is prolotherapy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The question \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/what-is-prolotherapy\/\">What is prolotherapy?<\/a>\u201d is frequently asked, especially by individuals who experience chronic muscle and joint pain. Prolotherapy is an injection treatment applied to support weakened or damaged connective tissues. It may be used especially to support the strengthening of ligaments, tendons, and tissues around the joints.<\/p>\n<p>The word prolotherapy is derived from the word \u201cproliferation,\u201d meaning multiplication. This concept refers to stimulating the healing process of damaged tissues. During the procedure, certain solutions are injected into the ligaments or tendons around the joint. The aim of these injections is to trigger a controlled healing process in the tissue.<\/p>\n<p>This method may be considered one of the supportive treatment options for some muscle and joint pains. However, prolotherapy may not be suitable for every patient, and the treatment plan must be determined after a physician\u2019s evaluation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_prolotherapy_do\"><\/span>What does prolotherapy do?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The main goal of prolotherapy treatment is not only to temporarily reduce pain. The primary objective is to support the strengthening of connective tissues that cause pain and to promote the healing process.<\/p>\n<p>Over time, ligaments and tendons may weaken due to strain, overuse, or repetitive movements. This condition can cause pain and limited movement in our joints. The injections performed during prolotherapy may help strengthen connective tissue by triggering the healing process of weakened or damaged tissue.<\/p>\n<p>However, the effectiveness of prolotherapy may vary from person to person. For this reason, the treatment plan should always be determined by a specialist physician.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_is_prolotherapy_performed\"><\/span>How is prolotherapy performed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Prolotherapy is a treatment performed through an injection method. Before the treatment, the doctor first evaluates the patient\u2019s complaints and performs a physical examination to determine the source of the pain. If necessary, imaging methods may also be used.<\/p>\n<p>After the source of the pain is identified, the injection points are determined and injections containing a specific solution are applied to the relevant area. This solution aims to initiate a controlled healing process in the tissue.<\/p>\n<p>The general stages of prolotherapy can be listed as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The patient\u2019s complaints and the source of pain are evaluated<\/li>\n<li>The injection area is determined<\/li>\n<li>The area is cleaned with antiseptic solutions<\/li>\n<li>Injections are administered to the required points using fine needles<\/li>\n<li>The patient is observed for a short time after the procedure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Prolotherapy is usually not a single-session treatment. It may be planned as several sessions depending on the patient\u2019s condition. The number of sessions may vary depending on the duration and cause of the pain and the response to treatment.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_which_diseases_is_prolotherapy_used\"><\/span>In which diseases is prolotherapy used?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Prolotherapy may be considered a treatment method for some muscle and joint problems that occur as a result of weakened connective tissues. This method may be preferred as a supportive treatment especially in certain musculoskeletal problems that cause chronic pain.<\/p>\n<p>Some conditions in which prolotherapy treatment may be considered include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Chronic pain originating from the lower back and neck<\/li>\n<li>Pain in joints such as the knee, shoulder, or hip<\/li>\n<li>Ligament and tendon strains<\/li>\n<li>Persistent pain after sports injuries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Prolotherapy may not be appropriate for every condition. Therefore, the treatment method should always be determined after a doctor\u2019s evaluation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_prolotherapy_used_for_herniated_discs\"><\/span>Is prolotherapy used for herniated discs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A herniated disc may occur when the disc structure between the vertebrae puts pressure on the nerves. In such cases, symptoms such as lower back pain, leg pain, numbness, or restricted movement may appear.<\/p>\n<p>In some patients, prolotherapy may be considered as a supportive treatment option for this type of pain. The aim of this application is to support the strengthening of connective tissues in the lower back region.<\/p>\n<p>However, prolotherapy may not be suitable for every herniated disc patient. In cases where nerve compression is advanced or serious muscle weakness has developed, different treatment methods may be preferred. Therefore, prolotherapy should only be applied in the treatment of herniated discs upon a doctor\u2019s recommendation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_is_not_suitable_for_prolotherapy\"><\/span>Who is not suitable for prolotherapy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although prolotherapy is a method that can be considered for many muscle and joint pains, it may not be suitable for every patient. Therefore, the patient\u2019s overall health condition is evaluated in detail before treatment.<\/p>\n<p>Prolotherapy may not be appropriate in the following situations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Individuals with active infections<\/li>\n<li>Patients with bleeding disorders<\/li>\n<li>Individuals using blood thinners<\/li>\n<li>Individuals with skin infections in the injection area<\/li>\n<li>During pregnancy<\/li>\n<li>History of allergy to the solutions to be injected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For this reason, it is important to perform a detailed examination before deciding on prolotherapy treatment.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_prolotherapy_have_any_harms\"><\/span>Does prolotherapy have any harms?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When applied to appropriate patients under sterile conditions, prolotherapy is generally considered a safe treatment method. However, as with any medical procedure, prolotherapy may also have some risks and side effects. Therefore, it is important that the treatment is performed by a physician experienced in this field.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_side_effects_of_prolotherapy\"><\/span>What are the side effects of prolotherapy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some side effects may occur after prolotherapy. These are usually mild and temporary complaints. The most common side effects can be listed as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pain at the injection site<\/li>\n<li>Swelling and redness<\/li>\n<li>Bruising<\/li>\n<li>Tenderness<\/li>\n<li>Dizziness or fatigue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In rare cases, infection or allergic reactions may develop. If you experience symptoms such as severe pain or fever, you should seek medical attention.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_prolotherapy_cause_pain\"><\/span>Does prolotherapy cause pain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Since fine needles are used during prolotherapy, a brief stinging or burning sensation may occur in the injection area. However, this is usually short-lived and can be tolerated by most individuals.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_pain_normal_after_prolotherapy\"><\/span>Is pain normal after prolotherapy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Mild pain that may last for several days can occur in the treated area after prolotherapy. This is generally considered normal and usually decreases within a short time.<\/p>\n<p>However, if the pain becomes severe or persists for a long time, it is necessary to contact a doctor.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_be_considered_after_prolotherapy\"><\/span>What should be considered after prolotherapy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are some points to consider in order to support the healing process after prolotherapy. The following recommendations are generally emphasized:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid lifting heavy objects during the first few days<\/li>\n<li>Allow the treated area to rest<\/li>\n<li>Temporarily avoid intense exercise<\/li>\n<li>Use medications recommended by the doctor regularly<\/li>\n<li>Do not miss follow-up appointments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_doctor_performs_prolotherapy_treatment\"><\/span>Which doctor performs prolotherapy treatment?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Prolotherapy is generally performed by physicians specialized in muscle and joint pain. Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists as well as orthopedic and traumatology doctors may perform prolotherapy procedures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Estimated reading time: 8 minutes 32 seconds What you need to know about prolotherapy treatment Some of us have experienced that the pain we notice while moving in daily life does not always go away simply by resting. Especially pain originating from muscles and joints can persist for a long time in some individuals and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12066,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12065"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12065\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12067,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12065\/revisions\/12067"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aktifinternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}