Back pain can impact every aspect of your life. You may experience intense, sharp, or burning pain that radiates from the affected area. When you have a slipped disc, it can be challenging to move, sit, or lie down without pain.
Traditional treatment options include physical therapy, medications, and, in severe cases, surgery. However, a minimally invasive alternative solution called ozone therapy is becoming more popular as more people discover it, as it may help in relieving pain without the potential risks associated with surgical intervention.
What is a Slipped Disc?
A slipped disc happens when the spinal disc’s soft inner layer (called the nucleus pulposus) protrudes outward due to a weakening of the tougher outer layer (called the annulus fibrosus), often putting pressure on nearby nerves and causing pain, tingling, or weakness. Common slipped disc symptoms include lower back pain, leg pain, numbness, and limited mobility.
Treatments for a slipped disc range from physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle adjustments to more invasive procedures like injections or even surgery when conservative methods are ineffective. These treatments require patience and can be long-term, leaving people learning to live with pain.
What is Ozone Therapy?
Ozone therapy involves administering a mixture of oxygen and ozone gases to promote healing and reduce pain. Used in various treatments, it enhances oxygenation at the cellular level, aids in tissue repair, and has anti-inflammatory effects. For slipped discs, ozone therapy is performed by injecting this gas mixture near the affected area, creating an environment that reduces pressure on the disc.
How Ozone Therapy is Used in Slipped Disc Treatment
Ozone therapy involves injecting the oxygen-ozone gas mixture into the facet joints surrounding the disc to treat a slipped disc. This injection reduces disc volume, relieving pressure on the nerves and alleviating pain. Patients undergoing this procedure experience a same-day, minimally invasive treatment using a local anesthetic and mild sedation, ensuring comfort without the need for extensive downtime.
Benefits of Ozone Therapy
Some significant benefits of ozone therapy include:
- There is minimal downtime as the procedure is not invasive. Patients can return to a normal routine the very next day.
- Ozone therapy’s success rate is high, however repeat procedures may be initially necessary to achieve full recovery.
- There is no known elevated risk to ozone therapy for slipped discs; known complications are temporary and minor.
- Patients typically have a significant reduction in pain after receiving ozone therapy treatment.
Safety and Side Effects
Ozone therapy for slipped discs is a safe option, with side effects being rare and usually mild. Typical side effects may include minor discomfort at the injection site, but these are temporary and usually resolve quickly.
Comparing Ozone Therapy With Traditional Treatments
Compared to surgery, which involves physically altering the spine’s structure, ozone therapy provides a gentler solution. Surgical interventions like discectomy or spinal fusion can lead to long-term concerns such as increased risk of future disc degeneration, spinal instability, and the need for hardware, which places stress on adjacent discs and other structures. Physical therapy alone, while certainly beneficial, may not be adequate to provide sufficient relief for severe cases.
Ozone therapy, however, is a non-invasive solution that relieves pain without compromising the integrity of the disc or surrounding tissue.
Slipped Disc Treatment in Calgary
Back pain can impact many activities in your life. Traditional methods of relief involve invasive surgeries, injections, or medication may not be desirable, or may not have provided sufficient relief previously. Ozone therapy is a non-invasive solution to surgery, and the team at Dr. Schlee will provide the most effective treatment safely and comfortably. If you think ozone therapy might be right for you, schedule your consultation today.
Blog posts from Dr. Schlee are for general information only. The content should not be considered medical advice. If you are in need of professional medical advice or assistance, please reach out to your local doctor or clinic.
