Slip disc, which is called spinal disc herniation or lumbar herniated disc in medical terms, is a condition which affects the spine. A tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, inner core of the disc to bulge out beyond the damaged outer rings. Since the weak spot in the outer core of the intervertebral disc is directly under the spinal nerve root, so a herniation in this area puts direct pressure on the nerve, causing severe pain, numbness and tingling in the back, hip and leg. Slip disc can either be age related or a result of trauma, lifting or falling injuries, straining, etc.
Though physiotherapy, medication and exercising are prescribed by doctors, more often than not, these are capable of only limiting the pain to a minor extent. Since slip disc pain reduces mobility significantly, patients often have to resort to surgery.
Ozone therapy for slip disc is an alternative therapy which is minimally invasive, yet effective. Ozone is an unstable allotropic form of oxygen and the therapy exploits the chemical nature of ozone, which favours the treatment in two ways –
One, ozone shrinks the soft inner core by destroying substances called proteoglycans present in it. These substances are responsible for holding water to the inner core and making it bulge.Two, ozone reduces disk inflammation and pain by reducing inflammatory components in a slipped disc.
Researches in various countries have already established the effectiveness of ozone therapy for slip disc. A study conducted in Germany had a success rate of over 72 per cent in reducing the symptoms caused by slipped disc, a figure that totaled to 268 patients. MR imaging confirmed significant shrinking of the herniated disc in patients.
Ozone therapy is a viable option, fast gaining recognition in the world for treatment of various conditions. In slip disc, it is virtually a life saver for people who want to avoid going under the knife.