Since then, ozone has been sold for multiple purposes, from wound healing over 100 years ago. To new uses such as COVID19 disease. In this article we will focus on the usefulness of ozone in the area of pain treatment and regenerative medicine
What is ozone gas?
Ozone is a bluish gas that is made up of three oxygen molecules, hence its formula “O3” . Keep in mind that medical ozone is not the same as that found in the ozone layer. The ozone used in medicine is not pure ozone, but a mixture of low concentration ozone with oxygen. Which is obtained through the electrolysis of oxygen, with a special generator.
What is ozone therapy?
Ozone Treatment Odessa is a medical technique that uses this mixture of ozone and oxygen for medical purposes. This technique has been used for more than 100 years for its beneficial effects on the body. And its practically non-existence of side effects and good tolerance.
Focusing on the medical use of ozone. we can see that there are currently a multitude of studies and publications that support this treatment. In 2022 there are more than 4100 publications on ozone therapy and 390 clinical trials listed.
Effectiveness of ozone treatment in the treatment of pain
In the treatment of pain, ozone therapy has the support of the Spanish Society of Pain . Like any medical modality. It is not 100% effective, and the success of this technique depends on different factors. The good indication, the dose administered, the injection route and the protocol used.
Does ozone therapy have risks?
“All things are poison and nothing is without poison; Only the dose makes a thing not a poison.
Paracelsus, 500 years ago, already recognized the dose-effect relationship in medicine. The use of ozone for medical purposes is safe. As it has a high threshold dose, that is, the dose below which no harmful or detrimental effects are observed. However, it is important to inject the correct dose (concentration and volume) to ensure the safety of this technique.
In addition to the dose, the route of administration and the correct application of the gas must be taken into account. It being advisable to do so with the help of image guidance (ultrasound – echography or fluoroscopy – X-rays).
Benefits of ozone therapy:
Ozone acts as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory , which is why it is effective in treating pain.
It favors and strengthens the antioxidant cell mechanisms, increasing the enzymes responsible for reducing it.
Activates and improves blood circulation . After ozone therapy, the blood circulates better through the smallest microcapillaries. Likewise, erythrocytes capture and transport oxygen better, thus improving cellular oxygenation.
Bactericidal power , that is, it reduces the risk of infection of any percutaneous technique.
Articulates autoimmune activity , ozone modulates the activity of the immune system, reducing markers of proinflammatory cytokines in autoimmune diseases.
Ozone decomposes to oxygen in a few seconds naturally. Without the need for metabolization or the generation of added chemical compounds . For this reason it is very well tolerated and no allergic reactions have been described.
Routes of administration of the injected ozone
There are several routes of administration of injected ozone. The most common in the Pain Unit are discal, epidural, muscular and autohemotherapy. It is important to select the most appropriate route for each use. For example, to treat a herniated disc, ozone will be much more effective intradiscally. Or alternatively epidurally, than in the lumbar muscles.
Uses of ozone therapy for pain
The local administration of a mixture of ozone and oxygen is beneficial in reducing pain and inflammation. Which is useful in various pathologies. In the area of pain treatment, where ozone therapy gives the best results and there is more evidence. It is in the treatment of herniated discs , low back pain. Knee or cervical osteoarthritis, arthritis and fibromyalgia .
Ozone therapy in herniated disc
Ozone therapy is effective in treating some disc injuries such as hernia, protrusions or fissures. For this purpose. Ozone can be administered to the paravertebral muscles in several sessions or directly to the diseased disc (discolysis), which is the most effective way, since a single application is normally needed.
Ozone discolysis
There is strong evidence, with 30 clinical trials to date and several meta -analyses. That intradiscal infiltration of ozone decreases hernia inflation and size, thus relieving pain. This treatment is recommended to shorten the recovery time and have more guarantees in recovering from this injury. You can get more information about this treatment.
Column ozone therapy
To treat lumbar, dorsal and cervical pain, the use of ozone therapy is also recommended. The application of ozone in the muscles helps reduce pain and swelling . According to studies, ozone therapy is considered more effective than anti-inflammatories to treat low back pain.
Ozone expands very well and can spread over a wide area of the column.
Ozone therapy in osteoarthritis, arthritis or tendinitis
To treat this osteoarticular pathology, ozone therapy is effective as an alternative to corticosteroids.
Ozone therapy in post-surgical fibrosis
Ozone, being a gas, expands very well and can spread to a wide area of the column. This is useful for the treatment of failed back syndrome and post-surgery pain through epidermolysis of adhesions.
Ozone therapy in regenerative medicine
Ozone complements or enhances the effects of regenerative medicine treatments such as platelet-rich plasma. By increasing the concentration of growth factors that are extracted from the plasma. We have more and more evidence on the use of these treatments in lumbar degenerative pathology.
Ozone therapy in fibromyalgia
Ozone is effective as a complement in the treatment of fibromyalgia. In this disease, ozone is applied locally in the area of pain, as a substitute for corticosteroids. And through the bloodstream to reach the entire body in a generalized way.
To inject ozone systemically, it must be done with a special technique, it can never be applied directly. There are several techniques to apply ozone to the blood. But the most used are: autohemotherapy, saline solution, vaginal administration and rectal administration. Through this technique, other diseases can also be treated, such as Lyme disease or autoimmune diseases.
What side effects does ozone have?
Ozone is toxic by inhalation because the alveolar endothelial cells cannot compensate for the oxidative effect. This is one of the main reasons for not using ozone by some professionals and countries.
Transient pain to the patient.
The repetitive and frequent use of intravenous ozone can cause phlebitis .
Contraindications of ozone therapy
There are pathologies in which the use of ozone is incompatible : in fabism, which is G6PH deficiency, high blood pressure, coagulation disorders. And having recently suffered a heart attack or stroke.Ozone therapy is a natural treatment, so it almost does not cause allergies. For this reason it is recommended for patients allergic to anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids.
