Rheumatoid arthritis: less inflammation, hands that open again

An autoimmune disease that attacks your own joints

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease: the immune system itself produces antibodies against the joints, causing chronic inflammation that destroys cartilage and progressively deforms hands, wrists, knees and feet. It affects three women for every man and usually starts between 30 and 50. It can also damage tendons, eyes, lungs, heart and vessels.

Suspicion criteria (American College of Rheumatology)

• Morning stiffness lasting over an hour
• Arthritis in three or more joints
• Swelling in the hand joints
• Symmetric involvement (both sides)
• Rheumatoid nodules
• Positive rheumatoid factor
• X-ray changes
• Symptoms for more than six weeks

Medical treatment combines anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and biologics. They are necessary, but carry side effects. Ozone joins as a complementary therapy to reduce pain, inflammation and drug doses.

Ozone through the blood and the joint

Major autohemotherapy modulates the immune response and activates the antioxidant enzymes that neutralize the free radicals behind chronic inflammation. In the most affected joints, intra-articular ozone injections reduce inflammation locally and improve mobility. The result is a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect that complements — not replaces — your rheumatology treatment.

How the treatment works

1. Evaluation: review of diagnosis, lab work and current treatment with your rheumatologist.
2. Autohemotherapy cycle: 2 sessions per week for 5 to 8 weeks.
3. Injections: intra-articular ozone in the most inflamed joints.
4. Maintenance: monthly boosters; medication is adjusted with your rheumatologist as you improve.

Who is a candidate?

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis at any stage, especially with persistent pain and inflammation despite treatment, or with significant drug side effects. Also lupus, psoriatic arthritis and other inflammatory joint diseases.