Ozone Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation

Ozone treatment for lumbar disc herniation is a common health issue affecting a large portion of the population, particularly lower back pain and disc herniation. The lumbar region of the spine is the area that bears the most load and where musculoskeletal disorders are most likely to occur.

Lumbar disc herniation (Lumbar Disc Herniation) is a condition that occurs when the disc, which acts as a cushion between the vertebrae and helps distribute the load on the spine evenly, bulges toward the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The fibrous tissue (annulus fibrosus) can tear under strain, causing the soft disc material (nucleus pulposus) to slip into the spinal canal. This condition is referred to as disc herniation, slipped disc, ruptured disc, herniated nucleus pulposus, or prolapsed disc.

There is a common misconception among the public that if someone has lower back pain, they automatically have a disc herniation. This is a misconception. Lower back pain can be caused by disc herniation, but it can also be attributed to other conditions such as lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), spinal tumors, or various musculoskeletal diseases.

Therefore, it is more appropriate for the patient to seek help from a specialist. Initially, the diagnosis should be made by a specialist using imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, or axial tomography. The existing symptoms could be treatable with simple medical care or may require serious surgical intervention.

If the herniated disc presses on the nerve root, it can cause pain, and as the pressure increases, it may lead to sensory disturbances and weakness in the legs.

To alleviate these symptoms, it is essential to undergo a physical examination by a specialist and get a proper diagnosis. Before opting for surgical treatment, ozone therapy should be considered.

How Does Ozone Affect Lumbar Disc Herniation?

Ozone treatment for lumbar disc herniation oxidizes the mucopolysaccharides in the nucleus pulposus, which causes the herniated disc. The oxidation of mucopolysaccharides increases cellular metabolism around the herniated area. As a result of the increased metabolism, the size of the herniated disc decreases. This reduction in disc size helps prevent scarring in the torn area, and eventually, the appearance returns to normal.

Ozone has an analgesic effect on vertebral nerve fibers.
Ozone has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing pressure on the muscle plexus of blood vessels.
How Is Ozone Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation Applied?

Ozone therapy, which has no known side effects or risks, does not affect daily activities. It can be applied without anesthesia or sedation. There are four methods for ozone therapy in treating disc herniation:

• Ozone injection

• Injection of a pre-determined dose of ozone into the paravertebral muscles

• Systemic ozone major hemotherapy

• Systemic rectal application

How Many Sessions of Ozone Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation?

The number of sessions depends on the patient’s condition and response to ozone therapy, but generally, 12-15 sessions are sufficient, although it can extend to 30 sessions. Studies show that success rates are very low for treatments with fewer than 10 sessions. When an adequate number of sessions are applied, success rates range from 80% to 90%.

In conclusion, ozone therapy, whether applied locally or through indirect diffusion, increases oxygen levels (hyperoxygenation) and creates physiological tonicity in the arterial and venous vessel walls. Its decongestant effect in the spinal canal and increased oxygen levels reduce inflammation, alleviate pressure on the nerve root, and eliminate pain.

With its proven effectiveness, ozone therapy has been shown, through studies and clinical applications, to be an effective treatment method that should be chosen primarily compared to conventional and surgical treatments for lumbar disc herniation.