Abstract
Spinal pain is recognized as the most common cause of disability, work absenteeism and need of healthcare services worldwide. Although many strategies have been developed for conservative treatment of spinal pain, its increasing prevalence diagnosis highlights the need for new treatments. Oxygen-ozone (O(2)-O(3)) therapy is considered to be an alternative therapy due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. This retrospective study evaluated the effects of O(2)-O(3) intramuscular paravertebral injections in 76 patients with chronic neck pain or low back pain, in terms of pain and disability reduction, quality of life improvement, and analgesic drug intake. Patients were evaluated before, at the end of the treatment, and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the last treatment, using Numeric Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index or Oswestry Disability Index, and Short Form-12 Health Survey. There were significant beneficial effects of O(2)-O(3) therapy in reducing pain and disability reduction and improving quality of life during the 6-month follow-up period. O(2)-O(3) therapy was associated with a reduction in analgesic drug intake at each assessment. Our results allow us not only to support treatment with O(2)-O(3) intramuscular paravertebral injections as a safe and beneficial treatment for chronic low back pain, but also to consider it as a valuable conservative therapy for patients with chronic neck pain.