Lumbar and cervical disc herniations are common health issues that negatively impact many people’s daily lives. Traditional treatment methods can often be lengthy and challenging. However, recently ozone therapy has emerged as an alternative solution. This method is applied through a minimally invasive procedure and offers effective pain reduction. It is particularly noteworthy as an alternative for patients with chronic pain. Therefore, ozone therapy can play an important role in alleviating pain caused by lumbar and cervical disc herniations.
Its effectiveness is reduced in cases with severe calcification or very old herniations.
What Is Ozone Therapy?
Ozone therapy uses medical-grade ozone gas—composed of three oxygen atoms—directly applied to the body and is effective in treating various health problems. This therapy is especially used to address conditions such as lumbar and cervical disc herniations. The benefits of ozone gas include:
- Strong antimicrobial properties
- Effective anti-inflammatory capacity
- Analgesic effects
These properties support the body’s natural healing process and help relieve chronic pain. Ozone therapy is considered a minimally invasive method, offering patients a lower-risk and faster recovery process. Additionally, this method has gained importance as an alternative to improve patients’ quality of life. The treatment can be customized to the patient’s condition and applied according to specific protocols.
What Are the Advantages of Ozone Therapy?
Ozone therapy offers several advantages in the treatment of lumbar and cervical disc herniations. As a non-invasive procedure, it carries fewer risks compared to surgery. This method, which does not require incisions or long recovery times, allows patients to undergo treatment without concerns about surgical complications.
The main advantages of ozone therapy are:
- Non-invasive Nature: Requires no incisions, speeding up recovery and reducing surgical risks.
- Reduced Medication Dependency: Lowers the need for painkillers, minimizing potential side effects and dependency risks.
- Targeted Treatment: Ozone is applied directly to the problematic area, aiding effective results.
- Minimal Side Effects: Generally well tolerated with few reported adverse effects.
- Tissue Regeneration Potential: Promotes cellular repair, contributing to disc healing.
These advantages make ozone therapy an attractive option for patients with lumbar and cervical disc herniations. The treatment effectively manages pain and enables patients to enter a faster recovery process. For these reasons, ozone therapy stands out as an alternative solution and enhances patient satisfaction.
How Does Ozone Therapy Affect Lumbar and Cervical Disc Herniations?
This therapy works by improving nerve and disc health through various biological effects:
- Reduction of Inflammation: Ozone’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation in the affected area, helping to relieve pain and discomfort caused by nerve compression.
- Analgesic Effect: Acting as a pain reliever, ozone modulates pain signals and decreases nerve sensitivity, directly alleviating pain. These properties increase patient comfort and allow them to continue daily activities more easily.
- Oxygenation and Blood Flow: The treatment enhances oxygen delivery and improves blood circulation to the damaged area. This process enables faster tissue healing and more efficient nutrient transport.
- Increased Disc Flexibility: Applying ozone to the discs increases their elasticity and flexibility, reducing pressure on the nerves. This contributes to healthier spinal function and pain reduction.
Ozone therapy offers an effective alternative in combating symptoms associated with lumbar and cervical disc herniations. Patients typically experience pain reduction and significant improvements in quality of life within a short period after treatment.
How Is Ozone Therapy Applied in Lumbar and Cervical Disc Herniations?
The application process of ozone therapy for lumbar and cervical disc herniations is carefully planned to ensure patients have a comfortable and effective treatment experience. The therapy follows patient-specific steps.
First, the patient’s detailed medical history is reviewed, and the location and severity of the herniated discs are determined. This evaluation ensures selection of the most appropriate treatment method. Imaging techniques identify the exact position and impact of the herniation. Before proceeding with ozone therapy, the patient must be prepared for the procedure:
- Diagnosis and Evaluation: Supported by comprehensive medical assessment, MRI, and CT scans.
- Pre-treatment Preparation: Fasting, sterilization, and application of local anesthesia.
On the day of the procedure, the treatment area is sterilized, and local anesthesia is administered. Various techniques are employed to maximize benefit while minimizing risk during ozone application. Ozone gas is injected precisely into the affected area using a fine needle under imaging guidance:
- Ozone Application: Percutaneous and intradiscal ozone injections are administered.
After treatment, necessary monitoring and follow-up steps are taken to ensure a rapid recovery. This process checks for any complications and evaluates the patient’s overall health. Additional treatment sessions may be scheduled if needed.
- Monitoring and Follow-Up: Patients are briefly observed to support the recovery process.
Patients typically experience pain reduction and functional improvements after treatment. However, individual outcomes may vary.
Is Ozone Therapy Effective for Disc Herniations?
Scientific studies support its positive effects on spinal health. Ozone, a powerful molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, has anti-inflammatory properties. These properties play an effective role in relieving pain and inflammation caused by lumbar and cervical disc herniations. Ozone therapy stands out for its analgesic and cellular regenerative properties.
In disc herniations, ozone gas is injected directly into the affected area. This process results in:
- Rapid pain reduction,
- Decreased inflammation,
- Increased mobility.
This treatment is minimally invasive and can usually be performed quickly. Patients can often return to their normal lives soon after the procedure. Ozone therapy is especially considered before surgical intervention.
Research shows that ozone therapy reduces issues related to lumbar and cervical disc herniations in the long term. This treatment has the potential to significantly improve quality of life, especially for patients with chronic pain. However, like any treatment, ozone therapy carries some risks. Therefore, a detailed evaluation should be performed before starting treatment. Ozone therapy may not be suitable for every patient.
Ozone Therapy Prices 2025[/h2]
Factors affecting the cost of ozone therapy vary. Treatment duration and number of sessions directly impact cost. The quality of materials used and the dose of ozone gas also determine pricing. The patient’s health status and treatment requirements play a role in cost determination. The geographic location and prestige of the healthcare center can also influence prices. Finally, the experience and expertise of the practitioner may increase or decrease costs.Frequently Asked Questions
Is ozone therapy used for lumbar disc herniation?
Yes, ozone therapy is used in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. It offers an effective alternative for patients with mild to moderate herniations. Ozone injection has the potential to reduce patients’ pain and improve their quality of life. This non-surgical method plays an important role in pain management and the recovery process. Patients can experience a faster recovery through ozone therapy. Two methods are available: direct intradiscal injection to reduce the herniation and intramuscular injection to relieve muscle spasms. However, the former is the curative approach.
How many sessions until ozone therapy takes effect?
For herniation regression, a single session is sufficient. For major ozone or intramuscular ozone therapy, at least five sessions are generally needed to observe effects. During this process, treatment can be applied once or twice a week. Ideally, the full effect is felt after eight to ten sessions. Therefore, patients should patiently follow this process to achieve noticeable results. The benefits of ozone therapy become more apparent after each session. The success of the treatment process is directly linked to the number of sessions.
What precautions should be taken during ozone therapy?
Certain precautions should be taken during ozone therapy. First, avoid alcohol consumption on the day of treatment. Also, inform your doctor in advance if you are taking blood thinners. A doctor’s examination is essential before starting treatment, as ozone therapy may not be suitable for every patient. Potential risks of this therapy should be considered and evaluated according to the individual’s health status. This approach minimizes possible issues during treatment.
Is ozone therapy painful?
In intramuscular or intradiscal injections, only the needle prick is felt; no pain is associated with the ozone itself. Major ozone therapy typically causes no pain. However, a slight sting may be felt during the initial blood draw. This sting is easily tolerated by most people. Therefore, pain during ozone therapy is minimal and the process is generally considered painless. Patients feel comfortable throughout the treatment and do not require additional analgesics.
Does Social Security cover ozone therapy for disc herniation?
Ozone therapy for disc herniation is not covered by Social Security. Patients must cover the costs themselves. Since it is not included in public health insurance, individuals seeking this treatment typically check their private health insurance. However, private insurers often do not cover this therapy. In such cases, the patient bears the full cost.
Prof. Dr. Özgür Kılıçkesmez graduated from Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty in 1997. He completed his specialization at Istanbul Education and Research Hospital. He received training in interventional radiology and oncology in London. He founded the interventional radiology department at Istanbul Çam and Sakura City Hospital and became a professor in 2020. He holds many international awards and certificates, has over 150 scientific publications, and has been cited more than 1500 times. He is currently working at Medicana Ataköy Hospital.
Yes, ozone therapy is used in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. It offers an effective alternative for patients with mild to moderate herniations. Ozone injection has the potential to reduce patients’ pain and improve their quality of life. This non-surgical method plays an important role in pain management and the recovery process. Patients can experience a faster recovery through ozone therapy. Two methods are available: direct intradiscal injection to reduce the herniation and intramuscular injection to relieve muscle spasms. However, the former is the curative approach.
For herniation regression, a single session is sufficient. For major ozone or intramuscular ozone therapy, at least five sessions are generally needed to observe effects. During this process, treatment can be applied once or twice a week. Ideally, the full effect is felt after eight to ten sessions. Therefore, patients should patiently follow this process to achieve noticeable results. The benefits of ozone therapy become more apparent after each session. The success of the treatment process is directly linked to the number of sessions.
Certain precautions should be taken during ozone therapy. First, avoid alcohol consumption on the day of treatment. Also, inform your doctor in advance if you are taking blood thinners. A doctor’s examination is essential before starting treatment, as ozone therapy may not be suitable for every patient. Potential risks of this therapy should be considered and evaluated according to the individual’s health status. This approach minimizes possible issues during treatment.
In intramuscular or intradiscal injections, only the needle prick is felt; no pain is associated with the ozone itself. Major ozone therapy typically causes no pain. However, a slight sting may be felt during the initial blood draw. This sting is easily tolerated by most people. Therefore, pain during ozone therapy is minimal and the process is generally considered painless. Patients feel comfortable throughout the treatment and do not require additional analgesics.
Ozone therapy for disc herniation is not covered by Social Security. Patients must cover the costs themselves. Since it is not included in public health insurance, individuals seeking this treatment typically check their private health insurance. However, private insurers often do not cover this therapy. In such cases, the patient bears the full cost.
Prof. Dr. Özgür Kılıçkesmez graduated from Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty in 1997. He completed his specialization at Istanbul Education and Research Hospital. He received training in interventional radiology and oncology in London. He founded the interventional radiology department at Istanbul Çam and Sakura City Hospital and became a professor in 2020. He holds many international awards and certificates, has over 150 scientific publications, and has been cited more than 1500 times. He is currently working at Medicana Ataköy Hospital.
Vaka Örnekleri