Every year, more than 400,000 Americans develop Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that causes headaches, fever, chills, muscle, and joint pain.
Most people recover with treatment, but between 5% and 20% of Lyme disease patients experience lingering or persistent symptoms that become chronic and significantly affect quality of life.
Because chronic Lyme disease symptoms don’t always improve with conventional treatments, some people are exploring alternatives, such as ozone therapy.
At HealthFirst, our team regularly prescribes ozone therapy for chronic Lyme disease.
Read on to learn more about Lyme disease, how ozone therapy works, and what the research says, so you can determine whether you may benefit.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that’s spread by black-legged ticks. If a tick with Lyme disease bites you, a small bull's-eye-shaped rash may form at the site. This is usually followed by flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, chills, and body aches.
Lyme disease is typically managed with antibiotics, and most people respond well, recovering within a few weeks. However, if the infection isn’t treated promptly, it can spread, leading to chronic symptoms that affect mobility and quality of life.
Ozone therapy is an alternative treatment for Lyme disease that uses medical-grade ozone — a form of oxygen made up of three oxygen atoms.
Instead of breathing ozone gas, which is dangerous, the treatment is delivered through ozone-infused blood therapy, ozone saunas, or rectal insufflation.
Although research is limited, some evidence suggests that ozone may help stimulate the immune system and support the body’s ability to fight microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Some people with Lyme disease say ozone therapy helps ease their symptoms.
Few high-quality medical studies on ozone therapy for Lyme disease have been completed, so there isn’t much evidence to support the treatment’s benefits.
Even so, many people say they’ve experienced significant symptom improvement after making it part of their treatment routine. Reported benefits include:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved ozone therapy for the treatment of Lyme disease or any other medical condition, but more healthcare providers are offering it as part of a comprehensive therapeutic approach.
If you have persistent Lyme-related symptoms, such as frequent headaches, ongoing joint pain, and chronic fatigue, ozone therapy is worth exploring. To be clear, it isn’t a substitute for conventional treatments, such as antibiotics, but is rather a complementary one.
After reviewing your health records, discussing your symptoms, and completing a physical exam and lab testing, we can make personalized treatment recommendations.
Although every treatment plan varies, many people benefit from multiple ozone therapy sessions per week for several weeks. Depending on your needs, we may recommend more or less.
Ongoing Lyme disease symptoms can sap your energy and keep you from your favorite activities. If conventional treatments haven’t helped you feel better, you may find ozone therapy beneficial.
To get started, contact the nearest HealthFirst office in Greenwood Village, Colorado, or Cheyenne, Wyoming, today to schedule an appointment with our caring team.
