Ozone therapy is a non-invasive method currently used to treat many health problems. From cardiovascular conditions to joint disease, to skin problems and even autoimmune conditions, ozone therapy can have multiple health benefits.
In the following lines, you will discover how ozone therapy can be used, what are the indications and contraindications of this therapy, how long a treatment lasts and how to avoid possible side effects.
What is ozone therapy
Ozone therapy is a treatment method that involves the use of medical ozone to treat various conditions or to improve general health.
Medical ozone is a combination of oxygen and ozone (O3), administered in several forms, such as intravenous injection and intra-articular injection.
The method can be used to treat skin conditions, joint disorders, heart disorders or even as an adjuvant in cancer therapy.
Ozone was discovered in 1840 by Christian Friedrich Schonbein, a Swiss-born chemist. In the 1850s, a German doctor called Mansfield began using ozone experimentally as a treatment for various ailments.
He discovered that ozone had disinfectant properties and began using it to treat wounds and burns. In the following decades, ozone therapy was used in Europe as a therapeutic method for wounds, burns, infections, tuberculosis and anaemia.
Types of ozone therapy
There are several types of ozone therapy, but the most common are the following:
- periarticular ozone therapy (ozone infiltration) - involves injecting a mixture of oxygen and ozone around the affected joints to relieve local pain and inflammation;
- intravenous ozone therapy - administering ozone directly into the venous bloodstream is useful for relieving conditions such as anaemia or atherosclerosis;
- autohemotherapy - this type of ozone therapy involves taking a small volume of blood from the body and mixing it with ozone, then re-injecting the mixture into the body.
It is important to mention that the use of ozone therapy varies from country to country, so some types of ozone therapy may be used in some countries, but are not allowed or accepted in others.
Ozone - properties and mechanism of action
Ozone (O3) is a gas with therapeutic properties that can be used in alternative medicine to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis, sports injuries, cardiovascular disease, infections, Lyme disease and even cancer.
Ozone's mechanism of action in medical treatment lies in its ability to stimulate the immune system and support the killing of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Ozone can also dilate arteries, which can improve blood flow and tissue oxygenation. So, the body benefits of ozone therapy include:
- anti-inflammatory effect - Ozone can reduce inflammation and pain by modulating the immune system and killing microorganisms that cause infections and inflammatory processes;
- boosting the immune system - Ozone can stimulate the activity of T lymphocytes, white blood cells and natural killer cells, which support the fight against infection and cancer;
- tissue oxygenation - various forms of ozone therapy can cause blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow, which leads to better oxygenation of the blood vessels. tissues. Thus, ozone can be useful in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases;
- effectiveness in the treatment of chronic pain - Some patients with chronic pain have reported a significant reduction in pain after certain ozone treatments;
- anti-infective effect - Ozone can stimulate the killing of microorganisms that cause infections. This makes ozone an adjuvant in the treatment of infections such as viroids, candidiasis and Borrelia infection (Lyme disease).
What diseases does ozone therapy treat
Thanks to the therapeutic effects mentioned above, ozone therapy is used in alternative medicine to treat a large number of conditions, but research on the effectiveness of this therapy is still limited. Some of the disorders for which ozone therapy is used may include:
- musculoskeletal system - Ozone therapy can be used to treat osteoarthritis, sports injuries and chronic pain;
- cardiovascular system - Ozone therapy can be useful for treating cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension;
- immune system - Ozone therapy is a good adjuvant when included in treatment regimens against infections with certain pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi);
- nervous system - Specialists sometimes use ozone therapy to treat chronic pain and improve blood flow to the brain and nerve endings;
- urinary tract - ozone therapy can be used to treat urinary infections and kidney diseases (nephritis, renal lithiasis, renal failure, etc.).
- digestive system - Ozone therapy can be a useful treatment in gastrointestinal tract infections as well as oral candidiasis.
Ozone therapy - mode of administration and side effects
- Intravenous administration of ozone (i.v. ozone therapy) - involves injecting pure ozone, or a mixture of oxygen and ozone, into the patient's veins. It can be used to treat various joint conditions, cardiovascular diseases, infections and autoimmune diseases;
- Intra-articular/periarticular administration - Ozone can be injected either directly into the affected joints or into the area surrounding the problem joint to treat pain and inflammation caused by arthritis or other joint conditions;
- Transdermal application - Ozone can be applied to the skin with a sponge or compress. There are also now products for topical administration (ointments, gels, etc.) that contain ozone-based compounds.
Adverse reactions and contraindications
Ozone therapy can have certain risks and side effects, although these are relatively rare. Some of these can be:
- pain or irritation at the injection site - is the most common side reaction associated with ozone therapy, but it is usually mild and goes away quickly;
- allergic reactions - Sometimes patients may have an allergic reaction to ozone or other components of the injected solution;
- thrombosis - in some patients, there is a risk of blood clots forming at the injection site;
- infections - Any procedure of this kind can lead to infection, and ozone therapy is no exception if it is not performed safely;
- effects on the central nervous system - Ozone can sometimes cause dizziness or other balance problems, even at low doses, in more sensitive people.
There are also a number of contraindications to this therapy, such as:
- task;
- some haematological conditions (anaemia or haemophilia);
- some lung diseases, such as emphysema or bronchitis;
- blood clotting problems.
How many sessions of ozone therapy are needed
The number of ozone therapy sessions required may vary, depending on the medical condition for which therapy is used and the patient's individual response to treatment. For example, treating an infection may only require a few sessions, whereas treating a chronic condition such as arthritis may require a larger number of sessions.
In general, it is common for a treatment cycle to contain between 6 and 10 sessions of ozone therapy, carried out at regular intervals, such as once a week. It is also important to discuss with your doctor the number of sessions needed to achieve effective results.
In conclusion, ozone therapy can be an effective treatment method for many medical conditions. It is important to discuss the indications for therapy with your doctor, as well as side effects and duration of treatment.
If you are interested in undergoing a series of ozone therapy sessions, we are happy to help. Call 021 9097 or complete contact form, to make an appointment with Cronos Med specialists.
