Ozone therapy

Ozone therapy

Ozone therapy is a modern medical procedure that uses ozone in various ways for the treatment and prevention of diseases. During the last years, this therapy has gained a significant importance due to its wide range of possible applications and mechanisms of action, also offering an alternative to conventional treatment methods. With ozone as the central active agent, ozone treatment supports and strengthens the immune system, reduces pain, and stimulates the body’s self-healing processes.

Basics of ozone therapy

Ozone therapy is a therapeutic method in which medical ozone is introduced into the body. Ozone is a compound made up of three oxygen atoms and is mostly known as a component of the atmosphere. Unlike traditional methods such as physiotherapy or pain management, ozone treatment relies on the strong oxidizing potential of ozone to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and increase blood circulation. This technique primarily aims to support the body’s natural regenerative abilities.

Effectiveness of ozone therapy

The effectiveness of ozone therapy is primarily based on the oxidative stimulation of the body. The use of ozone stimulates biochemical reactions, which result in various positive effects on the organism:

  • Improved blood circulation: Ozone dilates blood vessels and therefore improves the oxygen supply to the tissue.
  • Immune modulation: It strengthens the immune system by activating the production of immune cells and factors such as cytokines.
  • Anti-inflammatory action: Ozone reduces oxidative stress that affects the body’s cells and thus has a direct anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Pain relief: Ozone can activate the body’s natural pain-relieving systems and reduce painful inflammatory processes.

Applications of ozone therapy

Ozone therapy can be specifically used for a variety of diseases, particularly chronic and inflammatory conditions. The primary goal is to improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the immune system, making it particularly valuable for treating these conditions.

Chronic diseases

Ozone therapy has shown beneficial effects in the treatment of chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and fibromyalgia, by improving oxygen supply to the tissue and having anti-inflammatory benefits. By dilation of the blood vessels and an increased oxygen supply, the overall supply to the body cells improves. At the same time, ozone also activates antioxidant enzymes and modulates the immune system to reduce inflammatory processes. Inflammatory processes are often a basis for the development of chronic diseases, which is why this is of particular importance for relieving pain.

Relief of pain

Ozone therapy has proven itself in the treatment of both acute and chronic pain. For conditions such as back pain, migraines and joint pain, it works through a combination of different mechanisms. On the one hand, ozone promotes anti-inflammatory processes by activating oxidative enzymes and reducing proinflammatory substances. At the same time, ozone increases blood circulation, which improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissue.

In the case of back pain in particular, ozone can be injected directly into affected areas, which improves blood circulation and consequently relieves muscle tension. In the case of migraines, ozone has a regulating effect on the blood vessels and promotes the release of pain-relieving messenger substances. Patients with joint complaints also benefit from the anti-inflammatory effect and an improved tissue supply. This combination of pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and circulation-promoting effects makes ozone therapy an effective option in pain therapy.

Inhibition of inflammation

Ozone is also increasingly being used in anti-inflammatory therapy. This includes, for example, autoimmune diseases, allergies and other inflammatory diseases. Its anti-inflammatory qualities are particularly useful, since ozone stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which strengthens the immune response.

Ozone is particularly used in dentistry for the treatment of gingivitis or periodontitis. Direct application to the affected tissue can significantly reduce the bacterial load. Not only does ozone promote healing, but it also helps to improve oral health.

Biological cancer therapy

In biological cancer therapy, ozone-oxygen is being increasingly used to strengthen the body’s immune system and especially to inhibit tumor growth. This therapy improves the oxygen supply to the tissues and increases cell metabolism, which leads to an increased production of energy-rich compounds. Cells use these energy sources to maintain their vitality and ability to repair on their own.

Ozone further modulates the immune system by stimulating the production of cytokines which activate immune cells, including natural killer cells and macrophages. These cells produce substances that can specifically attack cancer cells by inducing oxidative stress. This promotes the breakdown of cancer cells, in particular by triggering their programmed cell death.

The combined effect of these two mechanisms is what makes ozone therapy a promising complement to conventional cancer treatments.

Ozone therapy methods

Ozone therapy is often used to relieve pain, treat inflammatory diseases and is also increasingly used in cancer therapy. Common methods include injections, intravascular applications and insufflations, which aim to increase oxygen supply, promote cell metabolism and modulate the immune system.

Injections

Direct injection with ozone is an effective method to relieve pain and inflammation, especially for joint complaints such as arthrosis. Usually, it involves gas injections or liquid injections in which the ozone-oxygen mixture is injected directly into the bloodstream, into the joint space or under the skin.

The treatment usually starts with a thorough examination by the doctor, who selects the appropriate area for the injection. Ozone is then generated from medical oxygen and mixed in controlled quantities to optimize the therapeutic effect. Afterwards, the ozone-oxygen mixture is injected directly into the affected tissue, a quick and ambulant process that usually only takes a few minutes.

By improving blood circulation and increasing the oxygen supply in the injected area, ozone therapy has anti-inflammatory effects that not only relieve pain, but also can promote the healing of inflammation. Similarly, neural therapy uses targeted injections to correct disorders in the nervous system and restore the body’s own balance. In combination, these two methods can work synergistically, with ozone injections promoting oxygen supply and cell regeneration and neural therapy releasing blockages in the nervous system. This enables the achievement of a more comprehensive therapeutic effect.

Ozone-oxygen-mixtures

Known as ozone-oxygen therapy, or sometimes oxygen-ozone therapy, is an innovative method that uses a mixture of oxygen and ozone to oxygenate the blood to promote cell regeneration. Oxygen-ozone therapy has been shown to be highly beneficial as it improves cell metabolism and supports mitochondrial function, which is essential for the production of cellular energy.

By enriching the blood with oxygen, blood circulation is optimized, which promotes both healing and also improves the overall vitality of the body. This form of oxygen therapy combined with ozone is often used for chronic diseases and inflammatory processes to strengthen the immune response and improve the patient’s well-being.

Autologous blood therapy or Autohemotherapy

In the case of ozone autologous blood therapy, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and then enriched with ozone. Thereafter, this enriched blood is returned to the body. The process activates the immune system by stimulating the production of antioxidant enzymes and cytokines, which are responsible for the body’s own defenses and strengthens them. At the same time, treatment using autologous blood therapy with ozone improves the oxygen supply to the cells and promotes cell metabolism, which is particularly helpful for inflammatory diseases and circulatory disorders.

Rectal ozone therapy

The application of ozone via the rectal passage, also known as rectal ozone insufflation, is an increasingly established method of ozone therapy. It is used particularly for gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, it is also being used more and more in the treatment of other organic diseases such as liver cirrhosis. This involves injecting a mixture of ozone and oxygen in low concentrations directly into the intestine.

This method can have an anti-inflammatory effect and support the healing of the intestinal mucosa. Ozone stimulates the release of anti-inflammatory cells and improves the oxygen supply to the tissue, which contributes significantly to regeneration. Rectal ozone insufflation is a non-invasive alternative that can provide relief, especially in cases of chronic inflammation, by positively influencing the microflora.

Topical applications

Ozone is also applied topically to treat skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect of ozone is used specifically in these cases. These beneficial effects help to improve skin health and promote the healing of inflamed or infected areas of skin. Therefore, creams or solutions containing ozone can be applied directly onto the affected areas and work locally.

Side effects and when should ozone therapy not be used?

Although ozone therapy is generally well tolerated, there are important aspects that need to be considered. People with certain pre-existing conditions or those taking medications particularly should first consult a doctor, since the use of ozone can be a risk in some cases. Patients suffering from clotting disorders or certain heart diseases should take especial caution regarding autologous blood therapy.

There are concerns that ozone therapy could be dangerous if used improperly, because ozone in high concentrations can cause oxidative stress. Therefore, correct dosage and application is of great importance to avoid unwanted side effects.

Side effects and health risks

In general, ozone therapy is considered to be well tolerated, although side effects can occur in some cases.Commonly reported ozone therapy side effects include mild pain or redness at the injection site and temporary tiredness. Improper use can also lead to headaches, nausea or increased oxidative stress. It is therefore essential that attention is given to professional application and individual dosage in order to minimize any possible risks.

Advantages and disadvantages of ozone treatment

There are many benefits to ozone therapy that make it an attractive option for many patients. These include the stimulation of the body’s self-healing powers, which can lead to a faster recovery from an illness. In addition to pain relief, it also offers anti-inflammatory, circulation-enhancing effects and activates the immune response, allowing it to be seen as a complementary therapy in medicine.

However, there are some disadvantages. Possible side effects may include mild pain at the injection site, temporary fatigue or, in rare cases, more severe reactions.

In general, it can be said that ozone therapy is becoming increasingly important and, with its positive benefits, it represents an important component in modern medicine. Ozone therapy should definitely be part of a well-founded concept in order to achieve its full effectiveness. Risks and side effects should be taken into account and reduced to a minimum.

Dr. med. Karsten Ostermann M.A.

At Alpine BioMedical we use ozone therapy as a supportive measure. It is important that this method is included in an established integrative concept.

Dr. Karsten Ostermann

Frequently asked questions about ozone therapy

In this section we will answer common questions about the ozone therapy, including how it works, areas of application, side effects and the course of treatment:

Experience reports regarding ozone therapy show that many patients have achieved positive results in the treatment of various diseases. This suggests that ozone therapy can be an effective complement to conventional therapies. In particular, there are reports of a reduction in pain and inflammation, which significantly improved the quality of life of those affected.

Ozone therapy is often used for chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis. It can also support the healing of wounds and strengthen the immune system.

Ozone therapy is used, for example, in dentistry to treat infectious diseases, in orthopedics to relieve pain and in dermatology to treat skin diseases such as acne. It has also been used in general medicine to promote general well-being.

Patients often choose ozone therapy because it is a less invasive alternative to conventional methods. Many patients also report positive results in terms of pain relief and improving their quality of life.

Although ozone therapy is generally a very safe treatment, risks can arise from improper use or high dosages. Also, patients with certain pre-existing conditions should only consider the therapy after consulting their doctor.

Further information

Further information intended to give a better overview of the topic.