Ozone therapy has been used in medicine for over a century, yet it remains unfamiliar to most people seeking healthcare in Portugal and Western Europe. That's partly because it sits at the intersection of conventional medicine and integrative practice — and partly because the information available online ranges from oversimplified to frankly misleading.
This article aims to give you an honest, medically-grounded introduction: what ozone therapy is, how it works, what conditions it genuinely supports, and how to approach it safely.
What is medical ozone?
Ozone (O₃) is a form of oxygen made up of three oxygen atoms rather than the usual two. Medical ozone is a precisely controlled mixture of ozone and medical-grade oxygen — never inhaled, always administered in specific concentrations by a qualified physician.
At Seena, every patient sees the doctor before any ozone session begins. This isn't a formality — it's how we ensure the therapy is appropriate, safe, and properly dosed for your specific situation.
How does it work?
Ozone therapy works through several complementary mechanisms:
- Improved oxygen utilisation — ozone activates enzymes involved in cellular energy metabolism, helping tissues use oxygen more efficiently
- Immune modulation — depending on concentration and application, ozone can either stimulate or regulate the immune response
- Anti-inflammatory effects — ozone helps reduce chronic, low-grade inflammation — a driver of many modern conditions
- Antimicrobial action — ozone is a powerful oxidant effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi in localised applications
What can ozone therapy support?
The strongest evidence exists for the following applications:
- Chronic fatigue and low energy
- Joint pain and inflammation (intra-articular injection)
- Gut health and digestive disorders
- Recurring infections and immune weakness
- Skin healing and tissue regeneration
- Support for chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, Lyme, and autoimmune conditions
It's important to be realistic: ozone therapy is a powerful supportive treatment, not a cure. Its value increases significantly when combined with other integrative interventions — nutrition, lifestyle changes, and manual therapies addressing underlying causes.
Administration methods
At Seena we offer the full range of ozone administration methods, each suited to different conditions and goals. The method is always chosen by the physician based on your individual assessment:
- Intravenous autohemotherapy (Major) — blood is drawn, mixed with ozone, and returned via IV. The most systemic effect.
- Intramuscular autohemotherapy (Minor) — a small amount of ozonated blood is injected into the muscle. Used primarily for immune stimulation.
- Rectal insufflation — ozone gas is introduced rectally. Effective, non-invasive, and widely used for gut health and systemic support.
- Intra-articular injection — ozone is injected directly into a joint. Very effective for osteoarthritis and joint inflammation.
- Localised applications — ozone acupuncture, bag therapy, and ear (auricular) ozone for specific conditions.
Is ozone therapy safe?
When administered by a qualified physician at appropriate concentrations, ozone therapy has an excellent safety profile. The key word is "qualified" — ozone must never be inhaled (toxic to lungs) and concentration must be precisely controlled.
At Seena, all ozone sessions are preceded by a medical consultation to review your history, current medications, and any contraindications. We do not offer ozone therapy without this initial assessment.
What to expect at Seena
Your first appointment is a medical consultation with Dr. Vadim Fasiy. He will review your health history, discuss your goals, and determine which ozone method — if any — is appropriate for you. If ozone therapy is recommended, you'll leave with a clear treatment plan including the method, frequency, and how it fits with your broader care.