Herniated discs can cause pain along with a whole host of other symptoms, from weakness to tingling. There are a lot of treatment options, ranging from surgery to prescription medications. However, no single treatment is right for everyone, and it's definitely worth exploring your options. One of those options is ozone therapy. Review the following questions and answers to learn more about this treatment.

What is ozone?

Many people have only heard of ozone as a component of the earth's atmosphere, so using it as a medical treatment might sound a little strange. But ozone is simply a different form of oxygen than that which is more commonly seen. It has been used in medicine for a long time, though its use to heal herniated discs is newer.

How is the ozone applied?

There are topical ozone ointments that can be used to heal more superficial wounds, but when it comes to internal issues like herniated discs, the treatment has to be injected. Your practitioner will use a special needle to inject ozone into the disc and also into the muscle tissues surrounding the disc. The injections themselves may be a bit uncomfortable, but the treatment only takes a few minutes, and residual discomfort is minimal. Your doctor will use an imaging technique such as ultrasound to guide the needle as they make the injections, which helps ensure their accuracy.

When will you notice an improvement?

Ozone therapy basically works by triggering or jump-starting your body's own, natural healing process. As such, you won't get immediate relief from the injections. The results will instead develop over time. Patients often start to notice their pain diminishing a few days after their first round of injections. A week or two later, the pain should be even less pronounced. Some patients need several rounds of injections for full healing, while others only need one round of shots.

Are there any risks to be aware of?

While ozone therapy is generally safe when administered by a physician, there are some small risks to be aware of. As with any injection, there is a small risk of infection or abscess. In very rare cases, patients could develop an infection in the spine. 

Ozone therapy can be a great choice for treating a herniated disc. Many patients decide to try it before resorting to surgery. Talk to a doctor, like Gary Jett, MD, who offers this procedure to learn more.