Prolotherapy is also known as "proliferation therapy," "regenerative injection therapy," or "proliferative injection therapy". It involves injecting an otherwise non-pharmacological and non-active irritant solution into the body, generally in the region of tendons or ligaments for the purpose of strengthening weakened connective tissue and alleviating musculoskeletal pain.

It is thought to do so by re-initiating the inflammatory process that deposits new additional fibers to repair a perceived injury. Once strengthened, the weak areas would no longer send pain signals.[2] Three randomized controlled trials have shown that prolotherapy is not an effective monotherapy for chronic low-back pain.