Ozone Therapy

Ozone Therapy Overview

What is Ozone?

Oxygen is a gas found in our atmosphere is vital it is for sustaining life. Oxygen from the air we breathe is transferred into the blood within our lungs, where it is carried to all parts of the body and used by our cells for their metabolism (chemical reactions). Air is about 78% nitrogen gas and about 21% oxygen gas. Oxygen molecules in the air are composed of 2 atoms of oxygen (O₂). When ultraviolet light or electric sparks are applied to O₂, it causes the oxygen molecules to break up into single oxygen atoms, which then rapidly combine back into O₂ on their own. However, some atoms combine to form O₃ which is called ozone. Ozone gas is formed in the upper atmosphere of the earth due to intense ultraviolet light exposure from the sun. This ozone layer helps protect the earth from excessive UV light which can be harmful to animals and plants. Ozone is also formed during lightning storms.

Ozone Properties

Ozone is an unstable gas with a half-life of about 40 minutes at room temperature. This means that after ozone gas is produced, only half remains after 40 minutes. After another 40 minutes, ¼ remains, and after another 40 minutes, 1/8 remains, and so on. Because of this, when ozone is needed for medical therapy, it must be created and used right away. Normally it cannot be easily stored. At cold temperatures however, it is possible to store it for longer periods. Ozone gas also has a distinct odour. In low concentrations, it can be described as a “fresh” smell, and in higher concentrations, it resembles a chlorine bleach odour.

Ozone Therapy Around The World

Ozone has been researched and used as a medical therapy around the world for decades, especially in Russia and Europe. Hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific publications demonstrate the effectiveness of ozone in management of many different diseases including cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disease, chronic pain and acute or chronic infections. There is even evidence that ozone can help slow the aging process. The best part is that ozone has almost no side effects when used correctly. Sano Via’s own staff members have experienced the healing ability of ozone first-hand. For this reason, our Medical Director decided to study medical ozone therapy under the top ozone specialist doctors in North America: Dr. Frank Shallenberger (founder of the American Academy of Ozone Therapy), Dr. Robert Rowan (expert in multi-pass hyperbaric ozone therapy) and Dr. Howard Robins (expert in direct intravenous ozone gas administration). Sano Via doctors are excited to offer ozone therapy to the public for health promotion, illness prevention and disease management (both acute and chronic conditions).

Ozone Therapy is Evidence-Based

There are many publications listed on PubMed (the US National Library of Medicine database) dealing with ozone therapy dating back about 20 years. Research data that is decades older is available from Germany and also Russia, where ozone therapy is approved by the Ministry of Health. Ozone therapy has been  found to be useful for:

• auto-immune diseases like colitis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis (modulates the immune system)
• back pain due to disc herniation
• cancer (improves immune system function and produces peroxides in the blood that kill cancer cells)
• emphysema
• enlarged prostate (BPH) by direct injection
• infections of all kinds (bacterial, viral, fungal and parasite), even Ebola virus, osteomyelitis and infected joint replacements
• inflammatory conditions like bursitis, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome
• limb salvage in cases that would normally require amputation (e.g. diabetes or vascular disease)
• nerve injury (stimulates healing)
• non-healing wounds related to poor blood flow or infection (e.g. diabetic foot ulcers)
• osteoarthritis (eliminates pain and stimulates cartilage regeneration)
• osteonecrosis of the jaw (death of the jaw bone) caused by bisphosphonate drugs or multiple myeloma

Ozone Administration Methods

At Sano Via, ozone is administered by the following methods:

• hyperbaric multi-pass major autohemotherapy (multi-pass blood ozonation, also called the “10 pass” method)
• normobaric major autohemotherapy (single pass blood ozonation)
• minor autohemotherapy (ozone mixed with patient’s own blood which is then injected into a muscle)
• injection into or around a tumour
• injection into the prostate (for cancer or enlarged prostate)
• subcutaneous injection
• inflation or “insufflation” into a body cavity (e.g. bowel, bladder, sinus)
• topically as humidified ozone gas or
• infusion of ozonated saline solution
• topical application as high potency ozonated olive oil
• injection into scars

We do not use the direct iv method due to side effects associated with oxygen/ozone bubbles potentially entering the heart and pulmonary circulation. Direct iv ozone injection is also not endorsed by the American Academy of Ozone Therapy.

Our naturopathic doctor and our nurses are specially trained by our Medical Director, and are now experts at administering all forms of ozone therapy (except direct iv) according to a high set of standards.

Ozone Therapy Safety

Ozone has been studied in humans and animals and found to be very safe. Some mild side effects could occur, and depend on the method of ozone administration. For example:

• ozonated saline infusion can cause irritation of the vein
• blood ozonation therapy uses the anti-coagulant heparin, so there is a very small risk of bleeding problems or heparin allergy (allergy can be dealt with by using sodium citrate instead of heparin)
• injection into a joint can cause a temporary pressure feeling
• injection into a joint can cause infection, in theory (very low risk – we have not had any infections after hundreds of ozone injections)
• ozone overdose can cause fatigue, headache or nausea
• high dose ozone in a patient with low G6PD enzyme levels can cause red blood cell breakdown (we test G6PD levels)

Most people do not experience side effects, but feel nothing or even improvement of energy level, mental clarity or visual clarity. A small number of individuals are sensitive to ozone, so we always start with a low dose and increase gradually.

Ozone Therapy Duration

In order to determine if ozone therapy is effective, we generally recommend at least 5 – 10 sessions, depending on the condition being addressed. For disease prevention, ozone may be recommended once a month or once every 3 months. If you experience side effects, therapy will be adjusted or stopped, and may be changed to something else. Such side effects are uncommon.

Ozone Therapy References

The American Academy of Ozone Therapy website is full of information about medical ozone therapy. Sano Via’s medical director Dr. Khan has received extensive ozone therapy training and fellowship certification from the AAOT.

The website of Dr. Robert Rowan and Dr. Terri Su contains interesting information about ozone, such as the ability of ozone to cure Ebola virus infection. Dr. Rowan and Dr. Su are experts on hyperbaric multi-pass blood ozonation. Dr. Khan has received extensive ozone therapy training under Dr. Rowan.

The website of Dr. Howard Robins  contains general ozone information. Dr. Robins has extensive experience with direct iv ozone gas injection. Dr. Khan has received ozone therapy training under Dr. Robins, but does not use direct intravenous ozone injection due to some risks of this therapy, which can be avoided by using other ozone administration methods. Regardless, Dr. Khan has developed a clear understanding of the pros and cons of direct iv ozone gas administration.

Further general ozone information can be found at the Ozone Without Borders website. Exciting uncensored ozone educational videos can be found on OxygenTherapy.TV

Our Medical Director’s Ozone Therapy Certification

Dr. Khan has been trained by the top ozone specialists in North America. Browse Dr. Khan’s CV to view his certificates.

Ozone Therapy Costs

The cost of ozone therapy ranges from about $70 for intestinal administration up to about $600 for hyperbaric 10-pass blood ozonation therapy. Joint injections are $265 per joint. Infusion of ozonated saline is about $250. Single pass blood ozonation therapy around $250. Fees for ozone therapy are not covered by provincial health insurance  since it is not a recognized therapy in Canada, despite the substantial body of published supporting evidence. Most blood and imaging tests are covered by government insurance for Canadian patients with a valid health card, for any medically-necessary care.