The human spine is a marvelous thing, a complex, flexible anatomic construct that provides structural support for the entire body. Consisting of 33 vertebrae (bones), it allows us to stand upright, bend over, and twist and turn without pain thanks to the sponge-like cushions between each bone surrounded by soft tissue. These are what are known as discs.
However, when the nucleus or center of a disc protrudes and passes through the wall of the disc as a result of an injury or simple wear-and-tear due to aging, it is known as a herniated disc, and it can be quite painful. The good news is that most herniated discs can be treated without invasive surgery.
Non-surgical Treatments for Herniated Discs
The reason herniated discs cause pain is because the nucleus of a bulging disc applies pressure against one of the spinal nerves. Your body has a natural inflammatory response to heal the injured disc, but the inflammation is a source of pain itself. That is why anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin IB) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), is often prescribed to help reduce inflammation and pain.
Other non-surgical treatments for a herniated disc include:
- Cortisone injections are injected into the area around the spinal nerves.
- Muscle relaxers to relieve spasms.
- Physical therapy in the form of stretches and exercises designed to minimize pain.
However, these traditional treatment methods may only provide temporary relief for the symptoms associated with a herniated disc and fail to address the chronic nature of the problem. To avoid surgery and effectively heal a herniated disc, a better option is ozone herniated disc treatment.
Why Ozone Is a Better Treatment Option Than Surgery
Ozone is a naturally occurring, colorless gas consisting of three atoms of oxygen (O3). When injected directly into the disc, it works to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve by shrinking the herniated portion of the disc.
Unlike surgery, ozone-oxygen injections do not reduce disc height or alter the normal anatomy of the disc but do improve the long-term health of the disc. It also signals your body’s stem cells to mobilize to the affected area, improves the cells’ ability to cope with oxidative stress, decreases inflammation, improves blood flow to the area, and increases lymphatic drainage – all without altering the anatomy or creating major trauma to the body as invasive surgery does.
Ozone disc injections treatments for disc herniations are just as successful as surgery but without surgery-related risks or side effects. Best of all, it is a same-day outpatient procedure that requires no significant downtime like spine surgery.
More than one in four people who undergo spine surgery develop what is known as “failed back surgery syndrome.” On the other hand, ozone disc injections do not carry such a risk. In the rare case that an ozone disc injection procedure is repeated, its positive effects are accumulative.
Herniated Disc Doctor, Serving U.S. and Canada Residents
As a triple board-certified physician, Dr. Warren J. Bleiweiss has helped countless patients relieve herniated disc pain with oxygen-ozone injection therapy. In fact, Dr. Bleiweiss pioneered the ozone disc injection treatment for disc herniations in North America over a decade ago and has performed this procedure routinely ever since with reliable and positive outcomes. Patients come from all over US and Canada for this treatment. The vast majority of patients need only one treatment. Repeats are rare.
To learn more about this game-changing treatment and whether you are a suitable candidate, call our practice today at (973) 403-3334 to arrange a consultation. We also offer telemedicine appointments for patient convenience. You can schedule them online by using our interactive request an appointment form.
