Prolotherapy in Portland
Joint injections that work with your body's own repair.
Prolotherapy at Origins Integrative Health helps Portland patients with joint, ligament and tendon pain that hasn’t settled with rest, stretching or pain relievers. A natural dextrose solution supports your body’s own repair in the tissue that holds a joint steady. Care is led by Dr. Heather Krebsbach at our clinic on SE Ankeny St.
What prolotherapy is
Prolotherapy uses a gentle dextrose (sugar) solution. It is injected into ligaments, tendons and joint tissue that have become weak, loose or injured.
That small injection signals your body to start repairing the area. Over time, the tissue can lay down new collagen and become stronger and more stable. Instead of masking pain, prolotherapy supports the healing your body already knows how to do.
What prolotherapy can help with
People come to us for prolotherapy when joint pain has lingered and other care hasn’t been enough. It’s often part of care for:
- Knee pain and knee osteoarthritis
- Shoulder pain
- Low back and sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
- Neck pain
- Loose or unstable joints
- Ligament and tendon injuries
Research on prolotherapy for the knee is encouraging. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that dextrose prolotherapy was linked with less joint pain and stiffness and better function in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Your prolotherapy visit
Your first visit starts with a conversation and a careful exam. We want to understand what is driving your pain, how it affects your day and what you have already tried.
If prolotherapy is a good fit, we explain the plan before we begin. The injections are quick, and we take steps to keep you comfortable throughout. Most people go back to their usual day afterward, and you’ll leave with clear aftercare guidance.
Who performs prolotherapy at Origins
Prolotherapy at Origins is performed by Dr. Heather Krebsbach, ND, LAc, a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist. She also offers perineural injection therapy (PIT), and many patients benefit from both: prolotherapy supports the deeper joint tissue, while PIT calms irritated nerves around it.
Prolotherapy is not covered by insurance. Call us for pricing.
Related services
Prolotherapy is one part of our musculoskeletal care. Many patients pair it with perineural injection therapy, shockwave therapy or acupuncture to support healing from more than one direction. To learn more, read Dr. Krebsbach’s article Prolotherapy and PIT for joint pain. When you’re ready, contact us to book a visit.
Frequently
asked questions
Can’t find the answer your looking for? Contact us.
Do prolotherapy injections hurt?
Most people feel a brief pinch and some pressure. We take steps to keep you comfortable, and the injections are over quickly.
What is the difference between prolotherapy and PIT?
Prolotherapy is injected into joints, ligaments and tendons, to help strengthen the tissue. PIT is placed just under the skin along irritated nerves to ease pain. Many patients benefit from both, and Dr. Heather offers each one.
Can prolotherapy help knee arthritis?
It can be a helpful part of your care. Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most studied uses of prolotherapy, and research links it with less pain and better function. We'll assess your knee and let you know if it's a good fit.
Is prolotherapy covered by insurance?
It's not covered by insurance. We go over your plan at your first visit, and you can call us for pricing.
Ready to talk it through?
Call (503) 314-2176 or send us a message, and our front desk will help you find the right first visit.