What is a disc herniation?
Each disc consists of a peripheral part – a fibrous ring and a central portion – a nucleus pulposus.
The fibrous ring consists of fibrocartilage in which the collagen fibers are arranged lamellarly around the nucleus pulposus. Water makes up about 60-70% of the volume of the fibrous ring, while most of the dry matter is collagen and proteoglycans.
The nucleus pulposus has a gelatinous structure and its task is to act as a shock absorber between the vertebrae.
The discs take most of the load and redistribute it in all directions.
Excess body weight, improper posture, sudden movements, lifting heavy objects, or various injuries can affect the inside of the intervertebral disc. When this happens, the nucleus pulposus swells the fibrous ring or even tears it – resulting in a disc herniation.
The ozone therapy addresses this pathology in three different ways:
1. The ozone-oxygen mixture has specific effects on the protrusion, acting on the ligaments supporting the herniation at the molecular level. This leads to a reduction in the herniation.
2. Improving the microvascularization of the affected region, which enhances blood supply and oxygenation which are mandatory for the healing process.
3. Reduces swelling, contributing to compression and inflammation, in the affected area. Thus, ozone provides anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
The combination of ozone therapy with other physical methods such as laser therapy increases the effectiveness of the therapy. This method is applied in the Laser Medical Center, City of Plovdiv. Physicians around the world are looking for treatment methods that are effective,
safe, non-invasive, and easily accessible. The idea of non-surgical treatment of disc herniations is remarkable and ozone therapy based on scientific principles gives real hope and opportunity for people suffering from this painful and disabling disease, most of whom are young and of working age.
What is a disc herniation?
Each disc consists of a peripheral part – a fibrous ring and a central portion – a nucleus pulposus.
The fibrous ring consists of fibrocartilage in which the collagen fibers are arranged lamellarly around the nucleus pulposus. Water makes up about 60-70% of the volume of the fibrous ring, while most of the dry matter is collagen and proteoglycans.
The nucleus pulposus has a gelatinous structure and its task is to act as a shock absorber between the vertebrae.
The discs take most of the load and redistribute it in all directions.
Excess body weight, improper posture, sudden movements, lifting heavy objects, or various injuries can affect the inside of the intervertebral disc. When this happens, the nucleus pulposus swells the fibrous ring or even tears it – resulting in a disc herniation.
If the herniated disc presses some of the nerve roots, you will feel pain, not only in the lower back but also one that goes down the leg, along the course of the relevant nerve. To prove the presence of a herniated disc, it is necessary to do a CT (Computed Tomography) scan or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the spine, and Electromyography (EMG), if necessary, in order to establish the degree of damage to the nerve root. Disc herniations occur as a result of trauma, which damages the fibrous ring most often in the lumbosacral or cervical region of the spine. The most common injuries result from improper weight lifting, improper twisting of the body, sudden movement, accidents, and sometimes the pain occurs with no clear provocative reason. This results in protrusion of the inner layer, which pushes the fibrous ring outside and compresses the nerve root coming out of this area, leading to neurological symptoms of pain, irradiation of pain along the nerve, and cramping.
The ozone therapy addresses this pathology in three different ways:
1. The ozone-oxygen mixture has specific effects on the protrusion, acting on the ligaments supporting the herniation at the molecular level. This leads to a reduction in the herniation.
2. Improving the microvascularization of the affected region, which enhances blood supply and oxygenation which are mandatory for the healing process.
3. Reduces swelling, contributing to compression and inflammation, in the affected area. Thus, ozone provides anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
The combination of ozone therapy with other physical methods such as laser therapy increases the effectiveness of the therapy. This method is applied in the Laser Medical Center, City of Plovdiv. Physicians around the world are looking for treatment methods that are effective,
safe, non-invasive, and easily accessible. The idea of non-surgical treatment of disc herniations is remarkable and ozone therapy based on scientific principles gives real hope and opportunity for people suffering from this painful and disabling disease, most of whom are young and of working age.
Lyudmil Dimitrov M.D.
talks about disc herniation
Lyudmil Dimitrov M.D. talks about disc herniation
