Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is perhaps best known as a treatment for divers suffering from Decompression sickness or 'The Bends' as it is commonly called. However, HBOT is becoming a common medical treatment for a wide range of traumatic, chronic diseases and conditions. The Therapy involves the administration of 100% Oxygen at a controlled pressure. Patients are placed in our state of the art Hyperbaric Chamber for a prescribed amount of time and are always accompanied by a Medically Qualified Attendant. The environmental pressure within the chamber is slowly increased, typically by one to nearly two atmospheres (equivalent to a 10-15 metre scuba dive). Patients then simply breathe 100% oxygen.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can increase the amount of Oxygen in the body by up to 2000% depending on the treatment depth. This dramatically increases the amount of Oxygen that can be delivered at a cellular level and therefore accelerates all healing processes following operations such as;
Plastic Surgery, Non-Healing Wounds, Burns, Smoke Inhalation, many Neuralgic, Orthopaedic as well as Emergency Conditions and Degenerative Diseases.
In addition to the hyperoxygenation of blood, all body fluids including the lymph and cerebral-spinal fluids are infused with the healing benefits of this increased Molecular Oxygen reaching bones and tissues that are not normally accessible to red blood cells.
The enhancement and increase of white blood cells & their function, along with the promotion and formation of new capillaries and peripheral blood vessels, (Angiogenesis) is simply amazing.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments typically include three phases: Compression, Treatment Time and Decompression.
Compression
At the beginning of the treatment and after the chamber door is closed, one can hear and feel the compressed air being gently blown into the chamber. The occupants will feel a slight pressure change in their ears, just like when flying in an airplane. The attendant communicates with the patient and the speed of compression is adjusted to everyone’s comfort level.
Treatment Time
This is the Prescribed Time at Pressure (the actual treatment). During the time at the prescribed treatment pressure (or “depth”) the patient will relax and simply breathe 100% oxygen via a facemask or transparent oxygen hood. We also offer an Oxygen delivery option for those patients who are unable to use the mask or hood delivery systems in our private monoplace chamber. These breathing periods are interrupted by short breaks, where the patient can remove the mask, have a drink of water, chat with the other occupants, or simply relax. A medically trained attendant is inside the chamber with the patients at all times. The attendant will do periodic medical assessments and continuously monitor the patients’ progress and wellbeing.
Decompression
When the treatment time is completed the pressure is slowly reduced back to normal surface level. Occupants may experience a slight drop in temperature, as the expanding air cools down. Patients will either feel nothing or possibly experience a slight sensation in the ears, again as one would in a normal commercial airliner.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry.
Tick Borne Disease
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is helping Lyme and other Tick Borne Disease Patients because Lyme bacteria are microaerophilic organisms requiring very little free oxygen and are debilitated in high oxygen environments. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy increases the amount of oxygen in the body which in turn causes several physiological changes that can result in accelerated healing, reduction of inflammation (particularly of neuroinflammation), and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is defined as the development of new blood vessels in the body. This is very important in the treatment of Lyme & Tick Borne Diseases as it is known that Tick Borne Bacteria effectively evade antibiotics by moving away from normal blood flow into tissues, cartilage, ligatures, organs, bones and also into the Brain.
Fibromyalgia
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a relatively new treatment for Fibromyalgia however, initial studies show that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has a positive effect on the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, including muscle pain and tender points. Symptoms of Fibromyalgia are chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to the touch. Typically there is also moderate to severe fatigue. Those affected may also experience heightened sensitivity of the skin, tingling of the skin (often needle-like), achiness in the muscles, prolonged muscle spasms, weakness in the limbs, and nerve pain. Chronic sleep disturbances are also characteristic of Fibromyalgia. See attached case study;
Autism
Studies have shown that many children with Autism have decreased blood flow through to certain areas of the brain and more specifically, the sides of the brain. This can be shown on a SPECT scan (a very special CT scan). Less blood flow through the brain can be equated with decreased oxygen flowing through the brain as well since one of the major roles of blood flow is to deliver oxygen to tissues. By increasing the amount of oxygen carried by the blood stream (more specifically, the plasma), the greater the opportunity is for oxygen deprived tissues to receive the much awaited and needed oxygen.
Diabetic Ulcers
Foot ulcers are a significant source of morbidity, mortality, and diminished quality of life for patients with diabetes. Ulcer development is often due to a combination of diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. This decreases the supply of oxygen to the affected extremity known as Hypoxia. Hypoxia can cause otherwise trivial lesions to progress rapidly to infection, gangrene, and in many cases limb amputation. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the plasma thereby allowing tissues to achieve levels of oxygenation that would otherwise be impossible.
Anti-Aging
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatments stimulates angiogenesis, growing new blood vessels and tissue. In 2007 hyperbaric therapy was shown to cause Stem Cell release from our bone marrow into our circulation thus repairing natural damage. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been also shown to have detoxification effects and to suppress inflammations. Most of our chronic diseases are now recognized to result from chronic inflammation. When you add up all of these beneficial effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and combine them with the many other documented effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on disease, the facts equate to having great anti-aging effects.
Athletes
Whether you are a professional athlete or just somebody who enjoys challenging your body, if you participate in sports or other taxing physical activities Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can give you the edge you need to perform at your personal best every time. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy speeds recovery from sport injuries, gives the athlete a faster recovery from workouts and increases energy and mental clarity levels both on and off the field. HBOT by providing more oxygen at the cellular level equates to rapid healing, the energy levels are high and the athlete is able to focus and perform at peak levels. Many athletes report much lower lactic acid build-up with hyperbaric therapy, also greater endurance and less muscle fatigue.
Cerebral & Bell's Palsy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy exponentially increases the amount of available free oxygen in the blood. Increased oxygen to the brain may “jump start” oxygen-starved cells and help to return motor control factors to the patient. Furthermore, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been proven effective in the treatment of Bell’s palsy, and when used in conjunction with other treatments, helps to prevent permanent facial disfigurement.
ADD/ADHD
Many of our patients who struggle with ADD and ADHD have found great results from using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. After just a few treatments, Children and Adults alike feel more able to focus, more able to communicate clearly and more at peace overall. College students have come for treatments prior to a big exam, sometimes even to study inside the chamber! If you are the parent of a special-needs child and are considering Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, you will be reassured to know that our Hyperbaric Chambers are large and roomy enough to allow you to join your child during Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. You can read to your child, play a game, or watch a video during the treatment.
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Inflammation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s and Dementia (AD) and plays an important role in the damage caused by this disease. For three decades, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen) have been known to reduce the severity of AD. Research studies of brain trauma have found that inflammation can be further reduced and controlled by use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy effect on inflammation could help reduce and reverse the damage seen in AD.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis is an enigmatic disease that is thought to have immunologic origins with resultant breakdown of the blood brain barrier. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy effects on MS have been published in a variety of studies. While the data is often confusing and conflicting, the fact remains that the most rigorous study on this subject matter showed an unequivocal beneficial effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
Pre & Post Surgery
Reconstruction Surgery and Plastic Surgery in a healthy person may heal up to 75% faster using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy before and after surgery. Less pain, less scarring, and less recovery time for the patient as well as less infections have been reported. Patients can return to work faster and with less bruising or swelling.
Radiation Damage
More than 14 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with cancer, and approximately half have received Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy). While improved Radiotherapy techniques have increased treatment precision and also reduced side effects normally caused by traditionally understood Radiotherapy, the high doses of radiation used to kill cancer cells still causes long-term damage to nearby healthy cells in some patients. By helping the blood to carry more oxygen to affected areas Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been proven effective for these patients.
Stroke
When cells in the brain die, either from trauma or lack of oxygen, blood plasma leaks out into surrounding brain tissue causing swelling and reducing blood flow. These otherwise normal cells become dormant as they can’t function without the correct and appropriate amount of oxygen. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy dramatically increases the oxygen carried in the blood’s plasma, making oxygen available to heal damaged capillary walls, preventing plasma leakage and reducing swelling. As the swelling decreases, blood flow can be restored to the dormant tissue (neovascularization) and these cells then have the potential to function again.
Sudden Hearing Loss
Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) is common and often results in permanent hearing loss. It therefore has a high impact on the well-being of those affected. Tinnitus (abnormal persistent noises or ringing in the ear) is similarly common and often accompanies hearing loss. Although the cause of these complaints is not clear, they may be related to a lack of oxygen secondary to a vascular problem not yet identified. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a specially designed chamber and it is sometimes used as a treatment to increase the supply of oxygen to the ear and brain in an attempt to reduce the severity of hearing loss and tinnitus.
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
In TBI patients, the injured brain tissues may be “dormant” and non-functioning. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can stimulate these “dormant” tissues and return them to more a normal functional level. In young children especially, cognitive function and spasticity can be greatly improved.
Wound Healing
Oxygen is one of the most versatile and powerful agents available to the modern Medical Practitioner. The therapeutic use of oxygen under pressure is known as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and has been used to assist wound healing for almost 40 years. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has several specific biological actions which can enhance wound healing processes.
Cosmetic Treatments
HBOT has been shown to be particularly effective in the Cosmetic and Spa Treatments such as skin and tissue rejuvenation, anti-aging, weight loss, skin toner, cellulite, wrinkle reduction, faster nail growth, stress reduction and stimulation of the immune system among many other benefits. There are numerous patient reports of increased clarity of thoughts, more vivid dreams, renewed energy and reduced fatigue following the HBOT treatments. Top executives such as board members of leading oil companies and also many Parliament and Government Ministers in prominent daily politics regularly use HBOT to enhance their clarity of thought process and also to reduce their stress levels. The high concentration of Oxygen used in HBOT treatments accelerates the production of nutrients and amino acids deep inside tissues, thereby repairing damaged skin. HBOT can therefore be used as a very effective adjunctive therapy for rapid recovery after cosmetic related treatments. It is highly recommended after any type of cosmetic, surgical or reconstructive surgery. Oxygen in the body tissues accelerates the formation of new capillary and peripheral blood vessels. This results in an effective and accelerated post-operative healing with better aesthetic results. It also greatly reduces any Oedema - (tissue swelling). Post-operative recovery in conjunction with HBOT can be reached in days instead of weeks and with a lot less tissue trauma. The reduction of swelling and substantial control of possible infections alone is huge. The key to slowing down the ageing process is exfoliation and oxygen.
