Back Pain

News & Headlines

Bad Back? Ozone Shots a Possible Therapy

March 13, 2009

back-pain-ozone

Istockphoto
By Theresa Tamkins

FRIDAY, March 13, 2009 (Health.com) — Ozone is considered pollution on ground level and an environmental protector when it’s in the earth’s atmosphere (that’s why a hole in the ozone is a bad thing).

Now it seems the molecule is a bit of a health paradox, too. A large new study released this week found that breathing in ozone-laden smog increases the risk of dying of respiratory diseases. But a second group of researchers also reported that injecting a small amount of ozone into a bad back may ease chronic pain caused by a herniated disc.

Injections of ozone and oxygen can shrink a disc that’s bulging out and putting pressure on surrounding nerves and tissue, according to Kieran Murphy, MD, who presented data on the technique at the Society of Interventional Radiology meeting in Chicago.

About 20,000 people in Europe have been treated with the ozone-injection technique, says Dr. Murphy, who presented data at the meeting on 8,000 patients treated in Italy and Austria. He says the success rate is 70 to 75 percent in terms of pain relief, and few back pain patients need more than one injection. (About 6 out of 50 in an early trial, he says).

Next page: How it works



Most Popular Stories From Health.com:
 

Comments (13)

The following content represents the opinions of Health.com users. It is not editorially reviewed for medical or factual accuracy. It does not constitute medical advice. See your doctor for medical advice.
  • jim

    I heard about this 3 years ago and was told i would be an excellent candidate for this procedure,but it was not approved by the fda and too recieve this i would have to go to europe.If anyone knows were it can be done in the us please help me???

  • dr tramboo

    we do ozone nucleolysis here in india in an set up ment only for minimally invasive procedures.
    we are american pain board ABIPP(FIPP) certified doctors. and procedure cost is just 1000$.our clinic is located in the beatiful valley of kashmir srinagar. so you can also have medical tourism.

    we have done over 7000 ozone procedures
    http://www.ozonediscectomy.com
    919419008056

  • Joe

    Northern Italy has a few hospitals that conduct ozone therapy for bulging discs and back pain. Really good doctors are handling this in the friuli region.

  • blinkn

    This is an amazing idea and very innovative. I have never heard of such a thing. Great article!

  • Linda

    There is a pain management doctor in Mishawaka, IN doing the ozone injections.

  • jaime

    I know of someone doing it by cupping it, with no injections here in the U.S.

    Contact me jaimeph01@hotmail.com

  • Lee

    Please send me Where with phone numbers for ozone injections for spinal herniated disc.

  • jagdip

    send me some phone no of indian patients preferably doctors,i may be willing to go for this procedure

  • william shea

    I need to find a doctor who will give oxygen/ozone injections in the Oklahoma City area

  • William Shea

    I have never heard an answer to my question as to where I can get oxygen/ozone injections. Should I hear anything?

  • JoAnn Farnsworth

    I had shotsin my shoulder for a torn rotor cuff at the West Clinic in Pocatello, Idaho

  • John Heet

    It seems like everyone you talk to has a chronic back problem. Does this work for back spasms and is it only available in Europe?

    <a href="http://bestdehumidifiersinfo.com/frigidaire-50-pint-dehumidifier/

  • son le

    I have a very good friend that his brother practicing ozone shots in Orem, Utah. I just found out this morning and will give him a call for appointment.

    send me an email if you need further contact information.

    Son Le

Post a Comment

The rules: Keep it clean and stay on the subject or we may delete your comment.

Your email address is not published or shared. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*)

*
*
 


We require all participants in interactive areas to accept the terms of the Time Inc. subscriber agreement. Please read the agreement before making comments. When you click on the button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and are agreeing to adhere to the terms of the subscriber agreement.
Close
  • Social Web
  • E-mail
Site powered by WordPress.com VIP