Ozone therapy, also known as ozonated water therapy or medical ozone therapy, is an alternative medical treatment that uses ozone gas. Ozone is a triatomic molecule containing three oxygen atoms and is chemically denotes as O3. It is a powerful natural disinfectant that has been utilized for water purification and air purification for over a century. In ozone therapy, either ozone gas or ozonated water is introduced into the body through various methods to stimulate healing and induce other beneficial physiological effects.

Applications of Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Some of the major applications of ozone therapy include:

Cardiovascular diseases: Ozone therapy shows potential in treating coronary artery disease, angina, and cardiomyopathy by improving circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues. Preliminary research suggests it may help minimize damage from heart attacks.

Digestive disorders: Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and gastric ulcers have responded well to ozone therapy. It helps reduce inflammation in the gut and stimulate regeneration of tissues.

Immune system support: Studies indicate ozone may activate immune cells and stimulate the release of cytokines and interferons that boost immune response against viruses, bacteria, fungi and tumors. This makes it useful for treating chronic infections and autoimmune disorders.

Musculoskeletal disorders: Ozone is effective in treating herniated or degenerated discs, joint inflammation, tendonitis and osteonecrosis by promoting oxygenation and circulation in tissues. It stimulates the repair and regeneration of cartilage and bones.

Neurological conditions: From multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease to migraines and neuropathic pain, ozone therapy improves symptoms by increasing oxygen supply to the brain and nerves.

Skin conditions: It treats chronic wounds, burns, diabetic ulcers, acne, herpes and other dermatological issues by disinfecting and activating repair of skin tissues.

Administration Methods

Ozone therapy employs various methods to introduce ozone into the body depending on the condition being treated. Some common administration techniques include:

- Major autohemotherapy: Drawing a unit of blood from the patient, exposing it to ozone gas in a sealed chamber then reinfusing it to deliver ozone systemically.

- Minor autohemotherapy: Ozone is bubbled through a small amount of blood drawn from a finger prick which is then returned to the body.

- Intravenous infusion: Ozone gas or ozonated saline solution is injected directly into veins.

- Rectal insufflation: Ozone gas is inserted into the rectum via a rectal catheter to treat gastrointestinal disorders.

- Direct injection: An ozone-oxygen gas mixture is injected into triggered points, herniated discs, joints or areas requiring localized treatment.

The Ozone Reaction in the Body

Once ozone comes in contact with living tissues, it initiates a series of controlled biochemical reactions that result in therapeutic effects. Some key steps in the ozone reaction include:

- Ozone inactivates pathogens, viruses and toxins through oxidation, helping resolve infections.

- It triggers the release of cytokines and growth factors that accelerate healing of tissues.

- Acting as a vasodilator, ozone increases blood circulation and delivers more oxygen to hypoxic cells.

- By stimulating the formation of hydrogen peroxide, it aids removal of debris and production of new cells.

- Ozone induces the synthesis of glutathione and superoxide dismutase which are potent antioxidants that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

Safety Considerations

When administered properly by trained professionals, medical ozone therapy is extremely safe with no reported fatalities. Minor side effects like headache are occasional. As ozone introducesactivated oxygen into the body, certain precautions need to be followed. People with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency may not be suitable for treatment. Ozone therapy should also be avoided during pregnancy, lactation or in case of uncontrolled hypertension and bleeding disorders. Proper dosages, frequencies and administration techniques are vital for safety. More research is still required to fully standardize ozone protocols.

Conclusion

With no known toxic or side effects at therapeutic doses, and an ability to treat a wide spectrum of diseases, medical ozone therapy holds promise as a safe alternative or complementary treatment modality. Though studies on its mechanisms and applications are still on-going, preliminary evidence supports its use against various conditions. As research sheds more light on effective protocols, ozone could become a mainstream therapy alongside conventional medicine.