Awareness of Ozone therapy is growing globally. The existence of more than 40 national organisations such as the Ozone Society in the UK, international associations like the World Federation of Ozone Therapy, as well as our homegrown Ozone Therapy Association of New Zealand, with more than 26,000 ozone therapists worldwide speaks to an ever-growing field.
Origins of Ozone Therapy
Ozone was discovered in 1785 by Dutch physicist Martin van Marum (1750-1837) and synthesized in May 1840 by the German chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein (1799-1868), history has shown that it has been difficult for ozone therapy to have a significant presence on the world's medical agendas.
Making Ozone Knowledge Accessible to All
To promote Ozone as a form of treatment and to support the developing discipline, the International Scientific Committee of Ozone Therapy has created the Ozone Therapy International Library which contains more than 2000 records: indexed and not indexed papers, books, theses, historical papers as well as other documents.
Almost everything related to ozone therapy may be found in this library if you cannot find exactly what you are after it will give you a good indicator of where to source the information you are after. It sets out to be accessible to all and without paywalls preventing the research from reaching as many people as it can, and helping ozone as a practice to grow globally.
Unlocking the Efficacy of Ozone Therapy In NZ
The millions of patients treated so far from the thousands of physicians correctly practising OT worldwide in the last 40 years demonstrate the safety of this simple and cost-effective regenerative medicine tool.
Ozone (O3) is a molecule formed by three atoms of oxygen. It is more reactive, less stable, and more soluble (10 times) in water and plasma than oxygen (O2).
Ozone is a strong oxidant, ranking third after fluorine and persulfate. The medical use of ozone represents the use of a gas mixture of O3/O2, from a medically certified device with medical-grade oxygen, by a medically trained doctor using a specific medical protocol in the treatment of different pathologies.
One Size Does Not Fit All with Ozone Therapy
As with every medical treatment, every application has defined dose ranges and different administration routes depending on the pathology to be treated.
The benefit of ozone in medicine depends on the dose, the method of administration, and the concentration of exposure. For example, the inhalation of ozone causes serious damage and chronic oxidative stress. However, the administration of ozone to a target with better antioxidant capacity (e.g., blood, rectum, and colon mucosa), with a precise dose of ozone, can modulate the endogenous antioxidant system and aid in the control of different pathological conditions.
Our practitioners work with a wide variety of pathologies from common cold to neurodegenerative diseases. Below are just a few examples of the areas Ozone Therapy is used in NZ today.
Ozone for Neurodegenerative Diseases For the Elderly
Our life spans have almost doubled in the last century and consequently aging-specific diseases are becoming more prevalent.
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as well and Huntingtons' Disease are the most widespread cognitive and motor disorders we see in the elderly.
There is wide and growing scientific evidence indicating how a natural bioactive molecule with antioxidant properties such as ozone (O3) can be utilised as a potential new strategy to delay neurodegeneration. O2-O3 therapy represents a useful, safe, non-invasive, non-pharmacological, economical, and overall effective treatment for these neurodegenerative conditions.
Ozone Therapy as an Complementary Treatment for Musculoskeletal Diseases in NZ
Musculoskeletal disorders encompass a wide range of conditions that impact the bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues within the body. Despite the ongoing debate on toxicity and administration, ozone demonstrates promise in managing several musculoskeletal disorders, as well as helping to modulate pain and inflammation.
Ozone therapy is used in humans as a coadjutant treatment in intervertebral disc diseases due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Ozone therapy has been used successfully to treat lumbar disc herniation and it is supported by numerous clinical studies.
Periodic intra-articular ozone injections have been advocated for their consistent pain amelioration, joint function enhancement, and overall quality of life improvement, alongside a commendable safety profile.
Ozone Therapy as a Complementary Methodology During Cancer Treatment in NZ
Over several decades, prestigious journals have published in vitro studies on the capacity of ozone to induce direct damage on tumour cells and, as well, to enhance the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Indirect effects have been demonstrated by immune modulation by ozone alone and the sensitising effect of radiotherapy by concurrent ozone administration. The effects of ozone in modifying the rise of haemoglobin levels, improved blood flow, and tumour hypoxia provide additional support for potential beneficial effects during cancer treatment.
Growing Evidence of Ozone as a Supporting Therapy for Acute or Chronic Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
The peripheral nervous system is exposed to the same chemotherapy action as tumour cells and chemotherapy can induce structural changes in peripheral nerves, such as neuronopathy.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy decreases the quality of life of patients and can lead to a dose reduction and/or the interruption of chemotherapy treatment, limiting its effectiveness. Ozone therapy can induce an adaptive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response, which could be potentially useful in the management of peripheral neuropathy.
Due to advances in cancer treatment, the number of cancer survivors has greatly increased, and they are living longer and/or with a better quality of life. However, as a consequence, we are seeing the number of survivors with acute and/or chronic side effects of cancer treatments is also increasing.
The appropriate systemic administration of ozone has been well described as a potential inducer of an adaptive antioxidant response, modulator of inflammation and pain relief. The main role of ozone therapy is not to replace pharmacotherapies but to improve the clinical results that they can offer in several diseases.
Despite various opinions and health controversy on Ozone Therapy (OT), the practices of this therapy have increased dramatically in NZ.
Protocols When Working With Ozone as a Therapy In NZ
As a practising and founding member of the Ozone Therapy Association of New Zealand, I and all of our members adhere to strict guidelines and policies. We do this to ensure the highest level of treatment for all of our patients, do so safely and achieve the best possible health outcomes for all.
- Ozone therapy should not be used as a substitute for any other oncological treatment (never as an “alternative” medicine).
- Ozone therapy should always be “complementary” to conventional treatment (complementary medicine and/or integrative) in collaboration with the oncologists and other specialists responsible for the patient.
- Always have detailed, truthful and honest information provided to the patient highlighting the studies that have suggested potential usefulness, but also that data from randomised clinical trials are lacking.
- Fully informed written consent must be obtained.
Developing Ozone Therapy In NZ
The Ozone Therapy Association of New Zealand is paving the way for all practitioners who already incorporate Ozone therapy in Aotearoa into their practice or for those who are just testing the water and wish to learn more. We are going to run a training for all interested in using ozone therapy as one more valuable tool in their arsenal of skills.
Healing Wave embraces a patient-centric approach to holistic well-being, leveraging the synergistic benefits of Ozone Therapy, and incisive Functional Testing alongside lifestyle modifications based on the principles of Naturopathy. My tailored treatment plans are designed to empower individuals to reclaim control over their cardiovascular health, fostering vitality, and enhancing overall well-being.
Schedule your consultation with Healing Wave today to embark on your journey towards optimal cardiovascular health and vitality.
To good Health and Wellbeing
Anna
