HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers a massive influx of oxygen—even to areas with poor blood flow—and results in remarkable benefits that cannot be achieved with any other therapy.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is medicine's most efficient method of transporting oxygen to cells throughout the body. Safe and painless, it involves breathing concentrated oxygen inside a specially designed, pressurized chamber. (Hyperbaric means “under pressure.”) The result is dramatic benefits for stroke, traumatic head and spinal cord injuries, diabetic ulcers, slow-healing wounds, burns, autism, and a broad range of other conditions. The process delivers up to 20 times the normal oxygen concentration at the cellular level, which:
- promotes healing,
- supports the growth of new tissue and blood vessels,
- Decreases swelling and inflammation.
- stimulates collagen production,
- increases the body’s ability to fight infections,
- Helps metabolize toxins.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
When you breathe oxygen at normal atmospheric pressure, this gas is transported on hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Under pressure, however, oxygen dissolves in the plasma, cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and spinal cord, lymph, and other body fluids. It is therefore easily delivered to all tissues, including those with a poor blood supply. Therefore, even areas that have been deprived of oxygen are afforded the tremendous healing benefits of oxygen.
Stroke is perhaps the most dramatic example of what can happen when oxygen delivery to a vital organ is cut off. During a stroke, a blockage or bleeding in blood vessels in the brain interrupts the flow of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood. As a result, cells in affected area die or are damaged, resulting in speech, vision, mobility, or other problems. When these areas are infused with massive amounts of oxygen during a hyperbaric oxygen treatment, damaged brain cells literally wake up.
But even more subtle oxygen deprivation resulting from poor circulation, injury, surgery, and other causes can retard healing and impair function. That’s why HBOT benefits so many diverse conditions.
HBOT Works on Multiple Fronts
HBOT also works on other fronts to promote healing. It curbs infection by providing a hostile environment to anaerobic bacteria, which thrive in the absence of oxygen. It promotes the growth of new capillaries and blood vessels to areas with poor circulation and boost collagen formation. It also mobilizes stem cells.
Stem cells have the unique ability to transform into a variety of cell types. Although you usually hear about embryonic stem cells and the like, we all harbor stem cells in our own bodies, primarily in our bone marrow, and they can be called into action to repair organs and tissues. Studies show that after just one HBOT treatment, concentrations of circulating stem cells doubled, and after a full course, there was an eight-fold increase in these rejuvenating cells.
These unique mechanisms, coupled with the healing powers of oxygen, provide tremendous benefits. Stroke patients once told there was no hope of regaining function are walking and talking again. Diabetics scheduled for limb amputation due to gangrenous ulcers have cancelled surgeries. Patients with disease and autism make dramatic strides. And people with serious burns, trauma, and other injuries heal rapidly and return to normal function much earlier than anticipated.
What is a Hyperbaric Pressure Chamber?
It is a large pressurized chamber that is pressurized with air. After the appropriate pressure is achieved, the patient will be able to breathe pure oxygen through either a mask or a hood. There are different types of chamber, one being the “mono-place” and the other being the “multi-place”. The term “multi-place” refers to having more than one compartment, whereas “mono-place” has only one compartment. Here at The Center for Natural & Integrative Medicine we offer you a “mono-place” chamber.
What conditions are commonly treated with HBOT?
- Pre & Post Surgery (Cosmetic & Other)
- Sports Injuries and Training Enhancement
- Aid Fracture Healing
- Skin Infections
- Arthritic diseases
- Fibromyalgia / Chronic fatigue Syndrome
- CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
- Lyme Disease
- Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency
- Brain Injury
- Stroke
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Encephalopathy (Chemical, viral, etc.)
- Prostatitis
FDA Approved uses:
- Selected Problem Wounds
- Skin Grafts of Flaps (compromised)
- Radiation Tissue Damage
- Burns
- Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome, & Other Acute Traumatic Ischemias
- Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
- Clostridial Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene)
- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
- Intracranial Abscess
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning & Smoke Inhalation
- Air or Gas Embolism
- Decompression Sickness
- Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
What does a treatment feel like?
A typical treatment lasts for one hour. During that time you will experience a feeling similar to flying in a plane or diving to the bottom of a pool. When the chamber is initially being pressurized you will experience a loud sound and a slight temperature change. The chamber will get warm at first because as you add pressure to any given object, the temperature increases. As the chamber reaches the appropriate pressure, the temperature will adjust to a comfortable setting. Air pressure must be equalized in the ears during the 10 minute compression and decompression phases by either swallowing or yawning. All treatments are supervised by a physician and highly trained medical personnel.
What should patients do before a treatment?
Patients seeking this treatment will need to refrain from wearing certain materials in the chamber such as: hair oils, hairspray, perfumes, make-up, nylons (panty hose), ointments, liniments, petroleum or vaseline products, wigs or hair pieces, aftershave, synthetics (i.e. rayon, nylon, etc.), or salves. Other items such as glasses, watches, and jewelry should not be worn in the chamber either; these items can easily be damaged while under pressure. No flammable materials are allowed in the chamber.
Our team at The Center for Natural & Integrative Medicine will regularly monitor your progress and track the effectiveness of your program making adjustments if necessary. Our goal is to support you and advise you every step of the way. We work in conjunction with your existing doctors to ensure the best possible care.
If you feel you may need help, please call our patient coordinator at 407 355 9246, or request an appointment on line for evaluation and testing.
