How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works
Through specialized pressure, hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen in our blood stream and increases circulation to deliver abundant amounts of oxygen to the brain, supersaturating our tissue with energy needed for healing, growth, and repair.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is described as breathing increased amounts of oxygen within a pressurized environment, at a level higher than 1 Atmosphere. When this occurs, a variety of physiological changes occur within our body that supports healing. The benefits of HBOT are being discovered and this novel treatment has the potential to revolutionize healthcare related to Traumatic Brain Injury.
What does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy do to your body?
Most simply, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy promotes an increase of oxygen delivery to all cells and tissues in our body. The combination of breathing in air higher in oxygen while being in a higher-pressure environment than we are normally, the oxygen is able to travel deeper into your tissues and brain than it would normally.
What are the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
- elevated levels of plasma-rich oxygen that can penetrate deeper into our brain and body tissue
- growth of new blood vessels, known as angiogenesis, supplying our brain and body with long-term, vital nutrients for healing and growth
- reducing inflammation
- decreasing swelling. This is important for reducing long-term changes that swelling can create as it restricts blood flow
- stimulating the release of stem cells and growth factors that promote healing
- the removal of waste and toxin buildup (i.e. detoxification) by enhancing blood, lymphatic and cerebrospinal flow
- improves circulation
- balancing the stress systems (autonomic nervous system) within the our brain by strengthening parasympathetic function (rest and digest) and reducing sympathetic (fight or flight) activity that results in better sleep, improved emotional regulation, less anxiety and depression
- promoting neuroplasticity, allowing our brain to heal and grow by increasing the density of our brain connections. This improves signaling and processing speed for healthy function throughout our brain and body
- improving cerebrospinal flow which is important for removing toxins and waste from the brain and providing essential nutrients for healing and function
- lengthening of telomeres that is connected with anti-aging
- reducing senescent cell populations that helps prevent aging decline, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cancer
- improves healing and flexibility of joints, tendons and ligaments by increasing fibroblast production and thereby collagen formation
- strengthens bones and speeds up healing after fractures because of osteoblast production that is stimulation by HBOT.
Who is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy right for?
The benefits of HBOT are so widespread that nearly everyone would benefit from treatments. That said, there are particular populations and those suffering with specific symptoms that will benefit greatly from HBOT. Some of those are:
- Concussion
- Brain injury
- Migraines
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pre or post-surgical
- Lyme Disease
- Mental and physical performance optimization
You can find a more thorough list of symptoms and conditions treated by HBOT in the symptoms & conditions section.
FAQs
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Are HBOT treatments covered by insurance?
Right now treatments are not covered, but this is something that could change in the future.
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How long do I need to go?
Treatment plans vary depending on the patient goals and frequency of treatment which will be determined during a consultation with the doctor.
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How much does is cost?
We are trying to make treatments as accessible as possible for our patients. Please contact us for pricing.
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How long are the treatments?
Most HBOT treatments last for 60 minutes, but after a consultation with a doctor we'll create a treatment plan specifically for you.
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What's it like being in the chamber?
Most patients find them to be comfortable and relaxing. Some choose to work while getting treatments, others prefer to relax. We offer both seated and lay-down chambers, and both have windows.
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Am I locked into the chamber or can I get out?
For the treatments to be effective, you need to stay inside the chamber, but you can get out anytime you'd like. Each chamber has a zippered opening with
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Is it safe? Will it hurt?
Because the pressures we use are low, it is extremely safe. Some people have experienced a slight irritation of their eardrum, but goes away quickly, much like flying.
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What happens if I have a problem while in the chamber?
You'll be supervised by a technician the entire time. You'll also have a two-way radio in the chamber with you at all times to easily communicate with your technician.
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How long until I experience results?
After a doctor consultation we'll create a specific treatment plan for you. Depending on your symptoms and your general health and age, the time to see results can vary, but some patients have started to see improvement in as few as 2-3 sessions.
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Are there any contraindications?
Yes, but not all are absolutes - pregnancy, ejection fractures less than 35% (cardiac), active pneuomothorax, COPD, Emphysema and other lung conditions are hard No's. Asthma, seizures, cardiac issues, inner ear issues, cigarette smoking are something we monitor, but are not necessarily contraindicated. These are all addressed in our consultation and in our initial paperwork that will be determined by your doctor and technician.
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Why does it take so long to heal?
HBOT is cumulative - think of it as a rebuilding processing, restoring health from the inside out that starts at the cellular level.
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how does it improve stress?
It strengthens the health and balance of our autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic portions that are responsible for relaxation and digestion. Also improving overall brain function which helps us regulate stress.
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What if I'm claustrophobic?
We have specialized chambers with increased space and comfort that often ameliorates this worry/sensation. We also have a technician there and teach you how to remove yourself if necessary to give you control over your experience.
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Can I keep using it after I'm feeling better?
Yes, many patients use it for wellness and overall health, depending on their particular needs.
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Do professional athletes and olympians use Hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Yes, many professional athletes and olympians use them - we have treated numerous in our office with exceptional results.
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How does the oxygen get into my body? Can it get through my clothes?
The oxygen does not enter through the skin, so clothing does not inhibit it (and is required). It is breathed in through your lungs and as pressure increases, oxygen dissolves into your plasma (fluid) of your blood through the same mechanism that you would normally breathe.
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Is inhaling pure oxygen the same as hyperbaric oxygen?
No, you are still limited by the amount of red blood cells you have that can carry oxygen during pure oxygen usage. During hyperbaric, the pressure causes extra oxygen from your lungs to be dissolved directly into the fluid of your blood, which increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, regardless of your amount of red blood cells.
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Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy affect my sleep?
Yes, it typically improves sleep for people by calming your nervous system, improving circulation and cerebrospinal fluid flow, improving oxygen to the brain for healing and generating an overall more stable system that can regulate sleep cycles more effectively.
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How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy grow new blood vessels?
It causes the production of growth hormones known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that is growth factor used to heal and produce blood vessels.
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Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy helpful for long-term covid effects?
yes, studies show it helps restore dysautonomia and improves vascular health, brain and lung function that is impacted by the Covid-19 virus.
