Ozone Therapy FAQ

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Ozone is a naturally occurring gas that consists of three oxygen atoms and makes up the ozone layer, Earth’s protective layer from the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation. The gas is colorless and has an acrid odor.

Ozone therapy is the use of medical-grade ozone/oxygen gas to address a wide range of health conditions and may possibly reverse chronic oxidative stress due to aging, chronic infections, diabetes, atherosclerosis, degenerative processes, and cancer. Although considered unorthodox by many, Ozone therapy has been medically utilized and studied since the mid-nineteenth century with much of the research originating in Europe. Interestingly enough, Nikolai Tesla patented the first ozone generator in 1896! Since then, a multitude of technological and scientific advancements have been made to increase the safety and understanding of Ozone therapy. Ozone therapy can be administered in a number of ways depending on the health condition to be addressed.

How does Ozone therapy work?

Visualized Ozone Molecule

Ozone therapy has a wide range of therapeutic uses along with an array of mechanisms of action. Ozone therapy is typically used for its tissue regenerative, anti-oxidant, immune supportive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties.

Ozone therapy…

  • Supports tissue repair by enhancing the release of growth factors
  • Up-regulates free radical scavengers such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase
  • Supports and modulates the immune system
  • Improves oxygen delivery to cells by stimulating oxygen metabolism
  • Increases production of cellular energy in the form of ATP
  • Improves blood circulation and decreases blood viscosity
  • Maintains RBC membrane integrity by activating the pentose pathway
  • Reduces chronic inflammation
  • Activates neuro-protective systems

What conditions is Ozone used for?

Ozone therapy has a wide range of therapeutic uses. Ozone therapy is typically used for its tissue regenerative, anti-oxidant, immune supportive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. Published papers have demonstrated positive results in:

  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Chronic hepatitis
  • Herpes infection
  • Various dental infections
  • Canker sores
  • Diabetes and associated complications including ulcers
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Post Stroke (Acute cerebral infarction)
  • Intermittent Claudication
  • Macular degeneration
  • Complementary Cancer Care
  • And more…

Ozone therapy has also been reportedly used in the treatment of:

    • Acute cold/flu
    • Chronic fatigue syndrome
    • Peripheral Artery Disease
    • Dementia and Cerebral Vascular Disease
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Lyme disease
    • SARS

    Used alone or in combination with prolotherapy, ozone therapy is used to treat various musculoskeletal complaints including knee, back and shoulder pain. If you don’t see your health condition listed above please contact our office to find out if Ozone therapy can help you!

    How is Ozone therapy used?

    Ozone therapy has many clinical applications and a number of ways to administer it, depending on the health condition to be addressed. For musculoskeletal conditions, ozone may be injected into ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, and joint spaces, alone or in combination with prolotherapy. For the majority of other conditions, auto-therapy is the most common method for administering ozone. Autohemotherapy is used in the treatment of a variety of health conditions including allergies, chronic inflammation, chronic infections, cardiovascular conditions, and more. There are two main forms of this therapy; Minor Autohemotherapy and Major Autohemotherapy.

    Blood Being Extracted From a Patient

    Minor Autohemotherapy

    Minor autohemotherapy involves removing a small volume of the patient’s blood (Typically 5-10 ml) and reinjecting it into a muscle. Alternatively, this blood can be treated with ozone gas and then reinjected. A small amount of local anesthetic may be used to reduce the pain of the injection. This method is primarily used to treat allergies, acne, herpes/shingles, acute cold/flu, trigger points, and more.

    Major Autohemotherapy

    Major Autohemotherapy involves removing a larger volume of the patient’s blood (Typically 60-250 ml) into a sterile container containing an anticoagulant to prevent the blood from clotting. This volume of blood is then treated with ozone and then infused into the patient via an IV drip. Published papers have demonstrated positive results in interstitial cystitis, intermittent claudication, chronic hepatitis, herpes/shingles infection, various dental infections, diabetes and associated complications, multiple sclerosis, and macular degeneration. Major autohemotherapy has also been reportedly used in the treatment of various cancers, including prostate cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, and a host of autoimmune diseases.

    * In addition to these common treatments, others exist including rectal insufflation, ear insufflation, bladder insufflation, body and limb bagging, ozonated water, and topical applications of ozonated oils.

    How many treatments do I need?

    The number and frequency of treatment vary with the severity of your condition, age, and overall health status. The number of treatments can be up to 20 and the frequency can be as often as daily to several times per week. The Studio Medical Team will discuss this with you and decide the most appropriate number and frequency of treatments.

    SOURCES:

      • Bocci V. Biological and clinical effects of ozone. Has ozone therapy a future in medicine? Br J Biomed Sci. 1999;56(4):270-9. Review. PubMed PMID: 10795372.
      • Bocci V, Valacchi G, Corradeschi F, Fanetti G. Studies on the biological effects of ozone: 8. Effects on the total antioxidant status and on interleukin-8 production. Mediators Inflamm. 1998;7(5):313-7. PubMed PMID: 9883965; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1781866.
      • Borrelli E, Bocci V. Basic Biological Therapeutic Effects of Ozone Therapy in Human Medicine. Encyclopedia of Life Support.
      • Elvis AM, Ekta JS. Ozone therapy: A clinical review. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2011 Jan;2(1):66-70. DOI: 10.4103/0976-9668.82319. PubMed PMID: 22470237; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3312702.
      • Ruhi Cakir (2014). General Aspects of Ozone Therapy, Pharmacology and Nutritional Intervention in the Treatment of Disease, Dr. Faik Atroshi (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-51-1383-6, InTech, DOI: 10.5772/57470. Available from: http://www.intechopen.com/books/pharmacology-and-nutritional-intervention-in-the-treatment-of-disease/general-aspects-of-ozone-therapy
      • Sagai M, Bocci V. Mechanisms of Action Involved in Ozone Therapy: Is healing induced via mild oxidative stress? Medical Gas Research. 2011;1:29. doi:10.1186/2045-9912-1-29.
      • Shallenberger, F.  Prolozone-Regenerating Joints and Eliminating Pain. Journal of Prolotherapy. 2011;3(2):630-638.
      • Valacchi G, Bocci V. Studies on the biological effects of ozone: 10. Release of factors from ozonated human platelets. Mediators Inflamm. 1999;8(4-5):205-9. PubMed PMID: 10704074; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1781810.
      • Wu X, Li Z, Liu X, Peng H, Huang Y, Luo G, Peng K. Major ozonated autohemotherapy promotes the recovery of upper limb motor function in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Neural Regen Res. 2013 Feb 15;8(5):461-8. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.010. PubMed PMID: 25206688; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4146136.
      • Zhang J, Guan M, Xie C, Luo X, Zhang Q, Xue Y. Increased growth factors play a role in wound healing promoted by noninvasive oxygen-ozone therapy in diabetic patients with foot ulcers. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014;2014:273475. doi:10.1155/2014/273475. Epub 2014 Jun 24. PubMed PMID: 25089169; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4096389.