Understanding Ozone Therapy
Medical ozone therapy is an alternative form of medical treatment that utilizes medical grade ozone to treat disease and imbalance. It involves the administration of medical ozone into the body through various methods such as intravenous, insufflation by ears, nose, throat, dental injections, topically, or as purified drinking water. Medical ozone has been well documented for over 150 years and is an extremely safe alternative to treat the immune system in conditions such as infection, chronic illness, and cancer. Ozone therapy can be combined with light therapy to accelerate the healing process.
How Does Ozone Therapy Work?
Ozone is administered to the body in various ways, including:
- Ozonated water is drinking water passed through with ozone. It would aid in digestive issues.
- Rectal insufflation is the direct delivery of ozone into the gastrointestinal tract. It would aid in leaky gut, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease, for example.
- For vaginal insufflation, ozone is delivered directly into the female reproductive system, aiding in PCOS, endometriosis, infertility, pelvic pain, etc.
- Finally, ear and nasal insufflation targets symptoms such as strep throat, sinus infections, and pneumonia.
- IV Ozone is a safe and sterile procedure in which a nurse draws a portion of your blood and mixes with sterile saline, oxygen, and ozone gas. Your now-oxygenated blood is reinfused back to the bloodstream and travels to every cell in the body, being absorbed by individual cells. IV ozone therapy can be used to stimulate the immune system and enhance oxygen delivery to tissues for systemic healing.
- Prolozone is an orthopedic procedure whereby ozone can be administered by injection directly into a joint, abscess, skin, gums, and other tissue to reduce inflammation and encourage regeneration.
The Science Behind Ozone Therapy
Ozone is a powerful oxidative treatment. In lower concentrations, ozone can be utilized as a treatment option to rebalance and improve immune function in a regenerative way. On a physiological level, research has shown that ozone therapy:
- Inactivates viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeast and parasites through degradation of their cell walls and inhibiting replication
- Increases production of antioxidants including glutathione
- Protects your mitochondrial DNA from damage
- Stabilizes lysosomes (digestive organelles in the cell that clean up dead cells)
- Produces natural peroxides that create a controlled amount of oxidative stress. This process stimulates your immune system to clean up trash, and thereby reduces inflammation and improves circulation
- Increases production of prostacyline, a vasodilator, thereby increasing blood circulation
- Increases red blood cell glycolysis rate which allows more oxygenation to tissues
- Stimulates the production of various enzymes which act as free radical scavengers and cell membrane protectors (glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase.)
- Reacts with nitric oxide to form peroxynitrite, a potent oxidant necessary for killing pathogens and cancerous cells
- Induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in tumor cells
- Enhances the Krebs cycle (metabolism) and stimulates production of NAD, which is necessary for detoxification and production of ATP (cell energy)
- Releases and activates TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factors).
Clinical Applications of Ozone Therapy
Ozone Therapy has the capability in aiding the healing process of a wide range of diseases, conditions, in addition to aiding injury repair. Since many condition’s root cause is inflammation, whether it be chronic or acute, ozone processes anti-inflammatory properties that are able to target the point of need. Ozone’s anti-inflammatory properties address allergies and autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, due to ozone’s antimicrobial properties, infections such as fungal, viral, and bacterial conditions can be treated. Ozone therapy also aids in wound and joint repair. It has applications in dental and dermatological care. Cancer cases can benefit from ozone since it is oxidative and improves circulation of blood through the body.
The Benefits of Ozone Therapy at Meeting Point Health
- Cancer support
- Heart Disease
- Allergies
- Sinusitis
- Autoimmune disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lyme disease
- Raynaud’s disease
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s disease
- Degenerative joint disease
- Spine inflammation
- Chronic Infection
- Hepatitis Cystitis
- Migraines
- Chronic pain
- Vascular surgery
- Wound healing
- Ear infections
- Dental infections
- Epstein-Barr Virus
- Mold toxicity
- Chronic Angina
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
- Improving athletic performance
- Acne
Common Questions About Ozone Therapy
Yes, medical grade ozone, when properly dosed and administered, is safe. When treating a patient, the necessary amount will be generated, keeping the concentration of ozone at tolerable levels. In addition, the half-life of ozone is short, only lasting 30 minutes. What ozone is not used within 20 minutes will alter back to oxygen. There have not been any long-term effects from ozone exposure reported, however, there are a few possible side effects.
Some side effects that patients experience after ozone treatment can include weakness, sleepiness, or dizziness. These symptoms typically last a short period of time. The patient can experience a herxheimer reaction, also known as a “die-off” reaction. Toxins, such as parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses, die-off and enter the bloodstream to be transported to the liver to be detoxed from the body. The body is overwhelmed by the rapid destruction of pathogens, which can cause a temporary greater toxicity within the body, throwing the body out of homeostasis. The body responds with an acute immune response that presents as worsened symptoms, temporary pain or discomfort. At that time, the provider or nurses recommend listening to your body and resting.
Currently, there are few medical conditions that are contraindicated in Ozone therapy. If you have questions about whether Ozone is safe for you, please speak with one of our providers.
- G6PD deficiency or favism
- Thrombocytopenia
- Those suffering from bleeding disorders
- Serious cardio-vascular cases
- Patients on ACE inhibitors
- Ozone allergy
- Pregnancy
The number of ozone therapy sessions required varies depending on the individual’s health condition, response to treatment, and treatment goals. Some patients may experience improvement after just a few sessions, while others may require maintenance treatment to maintain optimal results.
Discover the Benefits of Ozone Therapy Today at Meeting Point Health
At Meeting Point Health, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, support for a chronic illness, or simply looking to optimize your health and well-being, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your goals through personalized, integrative care.
If you’re considering ozone therapy as part of your healthcare regimen, it’s essential to consult with a qualified healthcare provider who can assess your individual needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment options. Ozone therapy holds promise as a safe and effective treatment for a variety of health concerns, and at Meeting Point Health in Philadelphia, we’re proud to offer this innovative therapy option to our .
If you’re ready to explore the benefits of ozone therapy and experience the transformative power of integrative medicine, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us today. Together, we can chart a path towards a healthier, happier you.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Stephen Matta, DO, MBA CAQSM and Mary Anne Matta, MS, MA, LAC
