An Effective Treatment for Fibromyalgia: Ozone Therapy
Have Fibromyalgia or know someone who does? Research has shown that fibromyalgia can be treated with a novel, safe and effective therapy; Ozone Therapy.
Fibromyalgia, is a disorder characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain. It more commonly affects women and it is estimated that 6.4% of the American population suffers from this condition. Despite more than 4,000 published research papers, the primary cause of fibromyalgia largely remains a mystery and effective treatment is limited.
Researchers believe the cause may involve infection, metabolic issues, immune dysregulation, and others. One suspected cause which is believe to be a major contributor to this condition is chronic oxidative stress. Chronic oxidative stress is caused by an on going imbalance between ‘free radicals’, which damage cells and reduce their function, and the antioxidant system of the body, which serves to protect cells and their function.
As chronic oxidative stress increases so does the damage to cells. Unfortunately, the mitochondria incur much of this damage. Mitochondria, are energy power plants that are found in every cell of your body. Their job is to generate cellular energy. When the mitochondrial function is altered due to infection, poor nutrition, chronic oxidative stress, etc., its ability to general cellular energy is reduced and cellular dysfunction occurs.
The conventional treatment of fibromyalgia may include medications such as Gabapentin, muscle relaxers and/or others. This approach can reduce symptoms but is largely ineffective with many patients still suffering. The need for safe and more effective treatment of fibromyalgia remains high. To meet this need and support those with fibromyalgia, multiple clinical studies has been conducted to assess the impact of V ozone therapy.
IV ozone therapy uses medical grade oxygen-ozone gas to treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. Ozone therapy significantly reduces oxidative stress, increases the capacity of the antioxidant system, stimulates mitochondrial function, increases blood and tissue oxygenation, reduces pain and more.
Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that IV ozone therapy is a safe and effective treatment for Fibromyalgia with lasting effects.
Findings from a 2019 study show that the majority of participants who received ozone therapy twice a week for a month, then twice a month as maintenance therapy experienced significant improvements with no important side effects. The authors concluded that at the time of publication “this is the largest study of patients with fibromyalgia treated with ozone therapy reported in the literature and it demonstrates that the ozone therapy is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia patients without significant side effects.”
A study from 2022 involving 200 patients with Fibromyalgia showed that twice weekly treatment with IV Ozone Therapy for 4 weeks resulted in complete rehabilitation of musculoskeletal function and overall joint pain in 76% of participants. Authors of this study concluded that “Oxygen-Ozone autohemotherapy represents a formidable therapeutic approach for FM”.
A prospective cross sectional study published in 2021 found that after completing 13 sessions of IV Ozone Therapy there was “significant improvement in FIQ and SF-36 scores” indicating that IV ozone “provided improvements in quality of life and general health status for FMS patients”.
IV ozone “provided improvements in quality of life and general health status for FMS patients”.
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) assesses physical function, pain, fatigue and SF-36 assesses assesses general health, limitations of activities, physical and emotional health problems, and energy/emotions.
A recent study published in the journal Rheumatology International found that after 10 sessions of IV Ozone Therapy participants experienced a significant reductions in symptoms including less pain, and less tender points. Their scores on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) as well as other fibromyalgia related questionnaires significantly improved. This reduction in symptoms remained stable for 6 months after finishing treatment indicating IV Ozone Therapy has both short and medium term effects. Authors concluded that “Ozone therapy demonstrates promising short- and medium-term efficacy in managing FMS symptoms, with significant improvements post-treatment.”
“Ozone therapy demonstrates promising short- and medium-term efficacy in managing FMS symptoms, with significant improvements post-treatment.”
Results from a 2025 study demonstrated that IV ozone therapy can significantly improve Visual Analog Scores and Fibromyalgia Impairment Questionnaire (FIQ) scores. Functional improvements and a significant decrease in pain were observed in female patients with fibromyalgia after receiving 10 IV ozone therapy treatments. These effects were shown to persist for 3 months after completing treatment.
Functional improvements and decreased pain lasted for 3 months after receiving ozone therapy
Another study investigating the impact of 10 sessions of IV ozone therapy on Fibromyalgia also had promising results. After receiving treatment participants reported improvement in sleep and mental alertness. FIQ scores were improved after treatment and patients reported a decrease in tender points. This study also found that serotonin levels were moderately increased and markers of oxidative stress were decreased post treatment with IV ozone. Authors of this study concluded that “The autohemotherapy with ozone in patients with FM showed an important decline of tender points and FIQ score, as well as a decrease of oxidative stress levels. This treatment allows patients to face life with greater vitality and less drug use, diminishing harmful side effects.”
Similarly, another study assessing the impact of 10 sessions of IV ozone therapy in patients with Fibromyalgia showed that all treated patients reported improvements in sleep and ability to do everyday activities. They also reported decreases in pain, tender points as well as decrease in the frequency of fibromyalgia relapses. Authors from this study concluded that these improvements facilitate…
“the everyday life of the patients suffering from the disease” and “this treatment seems to reduce the everyday use of pain medications, diminishing harmful side effects.”
This is not a complete review of the published studies demonstrating the effects of IV ozone therapy in patients with fibromyalgia. However, it should be clear that this therapy is safe, effective and holds great promise.
For more information please visit Valley Integrative Health
Devin Wilson, ND is a naturopathic medical doctor and owner of Valley Integrative Health in Ashland, Oregon. He was trained and certified in ozone therapy by Frank Shallenberger, MD. Dr. Wilson been using ozone therapy for over 10 years to successfully treat a wide range of health conditions including Fibromyalgia.
SOURCES:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30840304/ https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/7974-7979.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33609342/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00296-025-05827-1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39480677/