Prolotherapy[1] is an alternative medicine treatment designed to stimulate the growth of connective tissue, and thereby strengthen tendons or ligaments or ease joint pain. It's primarily used by arthritis sufferers or people with musculoskeletal injuries. Though prolotherapy is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., studies of the treatment are inconclusive[2] , and there are no established guidelines for its use.
Typical costs:
Proletherapy treatments typically start at $150 but can cost more than $500 per session, depending on the area being treated and the number of injections required. At Montana Integrative Medicine[3] in Bozeman, MT, prolotherapy treatments generally cost $175-$325. Practitioners may also charge an additional consultation fee. At Prolotherapy Nashville[4] , in Nashville, TN, the typical cost of an office visit is $150-$250, and the cost for follow-up visits is $45-$90, in addition to the cost of the proletherapy treatments, which range from $75-$525 per session. At least four sessions are typically needed.
Health insurers typically do not cover prolotherapy and many practitioners charge their patients on a cash fee-for-service basis.
According to the Center for Traditional Medicine, P.C.[5] in Lake Oswego, OR, practitioners will use an initial visit to get a patient's health history and perform a physical exam to evaluate the injury. In some cases, additional tests may be ordered.
Treatment consists of a series of injections with an irritant that causes inflammation and triggers the body's healing response. During treatment, local anesthesia is applied, and patients may be offered a sedative to help them relax. The injection is considered mild to moderately painful, and may be sore for 3-7 days afterwards.
Patients are encouraged to moderate their activities for 24 hours following each session, after which they can return to normal activities.
Additional costs:
Acetaminophen[6] may be recommended to ease post-injection pain. However, patients will be cautioned to avoid anti-inflammatory medications, which may hinder results.
Discounts:
Some prolotherapy practitioners, like Comfort Chiropractic and Wellness Center[7] in Monterey Park, CA, use a sliding fee scale based on a patient's income to determine costs.
Shopping for prolotherapy:
Getprolo.com offers a state-by-state guide[8] to prolotherapy practitioners, as well as a list of commonly asked questions[9] .
SpineHealth.com, which is run by medical professionals, offers information on potential risks and complications[10] of prolotherapy treatment.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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After getting 15 injections I waited 2 months for them to work as the DR. said before followup visit. I have more pain then I had before I started. What a waste of my hard earned money.
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