Ozone Therapy: What Is It and What Are Its Benefits?
As human technology and inventions approach new horizons, ozone therapy has become one of the latest hot topics for patients seeking alternative, holistic remedies. People who undergo ozone therapy benefit in several ways. The treatment covers everything from spinal pain to wound healing. Let's find out more about this up-and-coming medical phenomenon.
What Is Ozone Therapy?
Ozone therapy refers to the insertion of ozone gas into the body through a set of medical procedures to treat various wounds and ailments. Alternative health experts have administered ozone therapy on patients and witnessed profound benefits from this high-performing oxygen molecule.
Studies have shown that ozone therapy boosts the immune system by stimulating a natural process in the body. Traditional medical procedures and pills may alleviate immediate discomfort, but they do not completely relieve the symptoms. Most people end up needing additional medicines to feel better.
Ozone therapy encourages cell growth and helps the body fight diseases without the help of chemical drugs that may damage the organs.
What Is Ozone?
Ozone gas emits a pale blue color, and the molecule forms by bringing together three oxygen atoms. As an allotrope of oxygen, ozone has powerful oxidizing properties that even out-compete atmospheric oxygen. Ozone can be very unstable in liquid and solid form. So, is ozone therapy safe? Yes, ozone gas possesses powerful healing properties that can rejuvenate the body and state of mind without causing significant side effects.
History of Ozone Therapy
Many physicians have practiced ozone therapy on their patients for decades, although the trend remains muted in the USA. Many people in Europe and Asia have benefitted from Ozone therapy, and the practice is known to have existed for around 150 years.
Until very recently, ozone therapy was banned in the US. People who sought this type of remedial treatment had to travel to Mexico, where American doctors who specialized in this field could practice their profession without fear of losing their licenses.
Different Types of Ozone Treatments
The benefits of ozone therapy are slowly garnering attention in the US, with many people starting to show interest in this alternative treatment that regenerates damaged cells and restores health. There are different methods through which ozone is administered into the human body. Let's take a look at each of them now.
Intravenous Ozone
Intravenous ozone therapy takes out your blood, which is replenished with ozone and pumped back into your system through an IV. This process is called autohemotherapy. IV ozone therapy is used to treat AIDS, cancer, fibromyalgia, and more. One of the most well-received treatments is called hyperbaric ozone therapy, which uses the Herrmann device.
Ozone Insufflation
Ozone insufflation is a medical procedure where ozone gas is administered into the body to relieve aches and treat various ailments. Ozone gas is supplied to the body through all orifices of the body, such as the rectum, vagina, ear, and nose, to ease discomfort and pain. The benefits of ozone insufflation include oxygen utilization for the whole body and the production of antibodies.
Intramuscular Ozone Injections
While applying intramuscular ozone injections, ozone gas is blended with oxygen before putting it into the body. The physician will directly inject the affected tissue, joints, or muscle to target that body part. This concentrated dose of ozone in one particular area brings instant relief and healing.
Topical Ozone
Topical ozone involves applying ozonated oils to the skin, especially to treat scars and wounds. Nikola Tesla created medicated ozone oils so medical practitioners could use them on their patients. Applying topical ozone on severe wounds has shown positive results. Even today, some medical specialists will cover affected areas of the skin with a protective ozone covering.
Limb Bagging and Cupping
Ozone saunas often employ ozone limb bagging, which involves the placement of the gas into a vacuum bag with an affected appendage inside it. Most of the time, you apply ozone treatments this way for injured limbs. For areas of the body that are hard to "bag" or have a small surface area, ozone cupping is recommended.
Medical Ozone
Before ozone was administered to people, it was used to sterilize medical equipment in hospitals and infirmaries. Ozone gas also helped reduce the chances of infection in wounds.
Pharmaceutical scientists have created ozone in the labs so the gas can be used to boost the amount of oxygen in the body. Studies showed that when ozone gas was introduced into bodily fluids, patients created more proteins and red blood cells.
Health Advantages of Ozone Gas Therapy
Many medical experts claim that oxygen-ozone therapy is an alternative medicine that does not have backing from the FDA and consider it a legitimate medical treatment. However, many studies and success stories have shown the benefits of ozone gas therapy. The truth will eventually come to light when more research is done in this field.
Boosts Immunity
Ozone therapy treatments improve the patient's overall immune health. The therapy also decreases chronic inflammatory diseases, which often arise from weakened immune systems in patients with skin and respiratory problems.
Ozone therapy encourages white blood cell production, which plays a critical role in building immunity against germs and diseases. When the pace of white cell production fluctuates, it can cause autoimmune disorders or immunodeficiency.
Better Blood Circulation
Intra-articular ozone therapy reaches deep into tissues and repairs each cell individually. This approach encourages better blood circulation as more oxygen travels to each organ. Healthy blood circulation will also remove toxins and waste from the body. When toxins and waste leave the body, cardiovascular regulation and immune health can be restored.
Reduces Symptoms of Many Diseases
Ozone therapy alleviates symptoms in patients with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, arthritis, and other diseases. Research has also shown encouraging results in cancer and HIV/AIDS patients treated with ozone therapy. Ozone therapy assists in stem cell production, which encourages the smooth functioning of the body's most vital organs.
Helps People With Breathing Disorders
People suffering from various breathing disorders, like acute bronchitis, COPD, sleep apnea, and asthma benefit from undergoing ozone therapy. Living in urban areas can cause a lot of stress on our lungs and throats because of the pollutants and dust particles in the air. Ozone therapy rejuvenates the lungs with extra oxygen, healing a vital organ.
Prevents Brain Tissue Damage and Heart Attacks
Ozone therapy has prevented brain tissue damage in many patients who suffered strokes. A stroke occurs when blood flow and oxygen in the brain are disrupted. Research has shown that replenishing oxygen and ozone gasses to the brain reverses the brain damage caused by strokes.
People who have experienced a heart attack have a higher chance of suffering a second or third heart attack. Studies show that ozone therapy reduces the odds of a repeat heart attack considerably. Regular ozone therapy sessions bring enough oxygen to the heart and the rest of the body to reduce the risk of future attacks.
Healthier Skin
Ozone therapy has also improved skin conditions. Since ozone therapy involves supplying oxygen to skin cells and tissues, the process revitalizes the skin and even acts as an anti-aging solution. When the skin receives more oxygen, the tissues begin to repair themselves. Extra antioxidants supplied to our skin also bring in more collagen and elasticity.
How to Get Ready for Ozone Therapy in 3 Steps
To get ready for medical ozone therapy treatments, patients should speak with medical doctors or other healthcare practitioners, prepare their minds for a new experience, and take the necessary measures for a successful treatment. Find the three main steps to preparing for oxygen-ozone therapy below.
Step #1: Speak to a Certified Physician
Consult with a healthcare practitioner about the benefits of ozone therapy before undergoing treatment. Ask about what you can expect from ozone injections or inhaled ozone. Disclose any preexisting medical condition that you may have. Diabetic patients should reveal any infected wounds or bacterial infections so health professionals can administer ozone as a localized treatment.
Step #2: Make the Mental Space
Prepare your mind to finally heal. You can start looking forward to days free from pain. Imagine yourself moving more freely and watching your wounds heal in your mind's eye. Try to calm your mind the night before and the day of your treatment. Stay positive about the notion of a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms working with your immune system to treat medical conditions.
Step #3: Follow the Advice of Health Professionals
Listen to the advice of whoever is administering ozone to you. If you will be receiving ozone injections, you may receive special instructions. Otherwise, make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and hydrate yourself. If you feel nervous about the treatment, bring someone along in case you need support.
FAQs
What is the success rate of ozone therapy?
The success rate of ozone therapy is 80% for lower back pain (LBP) after six months. Intramuscular injections of oxygen-ozone perform 30% better than anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs. These results were shown in double-blind, randomized clinical trials in Italy. Other studies reveal even more promising applications for medical ozone therapy treatments, as well.
Is ozone therapy good for arthritis?
Ozone therapy is good for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and knee osteoarthritis. Receiving ozone intravenously in precise therapeutic doses can treat arthritis and related medical conditions by healing the immune system, improving mobility, and reducing pain. It also has therapeutic relevance when treating COPD, immune disorders, and some viral diseases.
How many times should I do ozone therapy?
You should do ozone therapy five to 10 times for the best results. Medical ozone treatments are a cumulative therapy, meaning it takes a few treatments before patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune diseases should begin to see improvement. The most significant reduction in pain usually occurs between the fifth and tenth sessions.
Does ozone have side effects?
Ozone does have side effects, including eye irritation, cough, nausea, lightheadedness, and mild headaches. However, these minor side effects stem from ozone gas inhalation and remain temporary. Most side effects resolve soon after the treatment and exposure to the gas ceases. Inhaling ozone can sometimes irritate and, in rare cases, damage the lungs.
Have You Tried Medical Ozone Therapy to Boost Your Immune System?
Is ozone therapy safe? We believe oxygen-ozone therapy is safe if administered by medical doctors or other certified professionals. However, we want to hear from our readers about their experiences and the benefits of ozone therapy that you enjoyed. If you have undergone ozone treatment, share your story in the comments below. Be sure to provide details about the treatments and their effects.
