How Prolotherapy, Prolozone, and PRP Therapies Are Different
“Prolo” derives from the Greek root word proliferate, which means “to regenerate”.
Prolotherapy: Prolotherapy, also known as regenerative therapy, has been used for more than 40 years as an injection technique to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Irritative solutions are injected in multiple areas in and around the injured joint or body part to stimulate the body to respond through inflammation, which brings new blood cells, nutrients, and the body’s healing response. Injections can be painful and might cause swelling. This pain and swelling must not be treated with anti-inflammatory medicine, as this may interfere with the body’s response to the injection. Narberth Family Medicine does not offer prolotherapy.
Prolozone Therapy: Injection of oxygen, vitamins, and minerals into painful areas to stimulate the body’s healing response. This treatment is similar to prolotherapy, but is less painful and fewer areas on the body are injected. A Prolozone injection contains ozone and nutrients, which is believed to bypass the inflammatory response and directly stimulate a healing response without triggering inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications are permitted as necessary following injection. Narberth Family Medicine offers Prolozone injections.
Platelet Rich Plasma: PRP is a technique that uses a solution derived from the patient’s own blood sample, injecting it into an injured area to stimulate healing and repair. Platelet rich plasma is derived from a normal blood sample that is spun in a centrifuge. This concentrated plasma contains powerful healing properties and is rich in growth factors. These naturally-occurring growth factors in the PRP are very similar to undifferentiated cells, also know as stem cells. Injection of PRP is thought to hasten recovery and healing from acute injuries. Narberth Family Medicine offers PRP therapy.
| Prolotherapy | Prolozone | PRP | |
| Alternative to stimulate healing? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Course of Therapy (# of Sessions) | 6-12 | 3-10 | 1-2 |
| Injections per session | Multiple | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Injection additives | Chemical solution to cause inflammation | Oxygen, vitamins, minerals, and anesthetic | Blood product and anesthetic |
| For acute Injury? | No | No | Yes |
| For chronic Injury? | Yes | Yes | Maybe |
| Need to avoid anti-inflammatories after injection? | Yes | No | No |
Contact Us To Schedule an Appointment
Call 610-667-4601 for more information or to schedule an appointment. You may also schedule an appointment online.