What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?

Hyperbaric medicine is an accepted medical practice for the treatment of numerous physical and neurological injuries and dysfunctions. It was originally developed by the diving industry and advanced by the military for dealing with complications encountered by naval divers.

Adequate oxygen has been recognized as essential to good healing since we first gained an appreciation of the way our bodies functioned. The lack of oxygen (hypoxia) causes damage and prevents the repair of tissue. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been demonstrated to address these issues through hundreds of studies done for many different indications. The first thing a paramedic gives a patient is oxygen to help prevent tissue and cell death through hypoxia. The brain is the most vulnerable organ and the control centre for all our bodily functions.

Using a hyperbaric chamber to increase the atmospheric pressure, it was realized that a higher quantity of oxygen could be dissolved into the plasma and body fluids. (Boyles Law and Henry's Law of physics)

A hyperbaric chamber is used to increase the atmospheric pressure around the body. Pure oxygen is administered through the use of a clear plastic hood or mask and inhaled for 60 – 90 minutes when the appropriate pressure has been reached according to the protocol being used. This non-invasive therapy significantly increased the oxygen concentration levels in the body in order to improve certain conditions. Oxygen is necessary for sustaining life; it is the essential bodily requirement for the stimulation, preservation and growth of all tissues and cells. It is the primary ingredient that the body requires to promote and effect healing.

Oxygen is carried not only by the red blood cells but also the plasma or liquid part of the blood. The plasma will become saturated with oxygen, which is delivered further and deeper into the tissues and cells. Oxygen saturates the body to kill infections, speed healing, stimulate cell recovery and improve the immune system. Oxygen is carried in all body fluids including cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, lymph and intracellular fluids. This allows increased oxygen levels even in areas with poor or compromised blood supply as well as in areas of tissue damage. Increasing the tissue oxygen levels produces several important therapeutic benefits, including enhanced growth of new capillaries, increased ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and remove toxins, increase growth of fibroblasts (cells involved in wound healing) and enhanced metabolic activity of previously marginally functioning cells including brain neurons. Damaged tissues and cells normally deprived of oxygen due to trauma can then receive the oxygen required for healing. HBOT ( Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy ) is a method that ensures the most complete recovery possible takes place. Improvements are as varied as the individuals taking the treatments.

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