What is Medical Ozone Therapy?
Ozone therapy or medical ozone therapy is a complementary and alternative medical treatment where ozone gas is introduced intravenously or through other body cavities like the vagina or rectum to treat or prevent various health conditions.

History and Mechanism of Action
The use of ozone in medicine can be traced back to the late 19th century. However, it is believed that many ancient Indian and Chinese medical practices incorporated various forms of medical ozone without specific documentation. Ozone has a very high oxidation potential and acts as a virucidal, bactericidal and fungicidal agent when applied externally or internally in the body. It stimulates the immune system by accelerating the production of various antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Ozone also promotes the release of cytokines and activates neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages.

Applications of Ozone Therapy
Medical ozone therapy shows promise in treating a variety of conditions due to its strong oxidizing and immune-boosting effects. Some key therapeutic applications include:

Vascular disorders: Ozone autohemotherapy is used to improve blood circulation and treat peripheral artery disease, liver cirrhosis, gangrene and venous ulcers. It helps dissolve blood clots and fibrin deposits.

Infections: Ozone can be used to disinfect and treat localized fungal, viral and bacterial infections when applied topically or through major autohemotherapy. This includes conditions like shingles, hepatitis C, infected ulcers and dental infections.

Degenerative diseases: Ozone may help reduce joint inflammation in arthritis and support regeneration in degenerative spine conditions like herniated discs through its antioxidant properties and stimulation of collagen synthesis.

Neurological conditions: Some practitioners use ozone therapy for multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular accidents (stroke), complications of sciatica and neuropathy. It may help by resolving chronic inflammation and toxins in the nervous system.

Cancer support: Though not a primary cancer treatment, ozone boosts immunity and reduces inflammation, pain and fatigue in cancer patients. It also helps resolve infection issues from chemotherapy or radiation.

Metabolic conditions: Ozone autohemotherapy helps manage diabetes, support weight loss and lower cardiovascular disease risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol through its detoxifying and insulin-sensitizing effects.

More about Medical Ozone Therapy Modalities and Applications

Common Treatment Modalities

The main modalities used in medical ozone therapy include:

- Major autohemotherapy: Ozone-oxygen gas mixture is injected into the blood directly through veins using specialized medical equipment.

- Minor autohemotherapy: Ozone gas insufflation into body cavities like vagina, rectum, joint spaces etc. either directly or through intravenous access of nearby veins.

- Ozonated water: Water with dissolved ozone gas consumed or used for washing wounds externally.

- Ozone bagging or cupping: An ozone-oxygen gas mixture is placed in contact with the body inside plastic bags or cups attached to skin over affected areas.

- Ozonated oils: Essential or carrier oils are ozonated and applied topically or used for local insufflations.

Various Applications

Apart from the common disease applications discussed earlier, ozone therapy also finds use in:

- Sports injuries: To speed recovery from sprains, muscle tears and bone fractures through its disinfection and tissue healing properties.

- Wound healing: Chronic ulcers, burns, diabetic foot infections etc. respond well to local ozone treatment through better oxygenation and stimulation of collagen synthesis.

- Dental issues: Ozone water rinses or minor insufflation aids gum disease, dental infections and oral thrush resolution.

- Aesthetic applications: Some aesthetic clinics offer ozone treatments for hair loss, skin rejuvenation, cellulite and weight management.

Effectiveness, Safety and Regulatory Status

While medical ozone therapy shows promise based on clinical case studies and reported successes, formal clinical trial evidence is still limited for its effectiveness and safety profile when evaluated against conventional treatments. Adverse effects are generally mild like headache, fatigue, nausea when used properly by trained professionals. Safety is a concern with incompetent or unsupervised use. Regulations vary globally, but many countries recognize it as an alternative treatment option when practiced judiciously. Overall, it remains an area of active research with potential as a complementary approach.