Exploring the Healing Potential of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Mar 5

In recent years, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has gained attention for its therapeutic benefits in various medical conditions. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers, often referred to as “HBOT,” provide a controlled environment where individuals breathe in pure oxygen at increased pressure. Let's dive into the science behind hyperbaric oxygen chambers and explore their role in promoting wellness and healing.

Understanding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing in oxygen at increased pressures while inside a sealed chamber. This increased pressure allows your lungs to gather more oxygen than would be possible by breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. As a result, oxygen dissolves into your blood plasma at an elevated level, promoting the delivery of oxygen to tissues throughout the body. In addition, due to the increased pressure, oxygen is moved from higher to lower concentrations. This means that oxygen makes its way to hypoxic (not enough oxygen) areas within the body, promoting healing.

The Science Behind HBOT

The fundamental principle of hyperbaric oxygen therapy lies in oxygen's role in cellular metabolism and tissue repair. Oxygen is a vital component in various physiological processes, including wound healing, immune response, and tissue regeneration. By delivering oxygen to tissues at higher concentrations, HBOT aims to enhance these processes, facilitating faster recovery and promoting overall wellness.

Applications of HBOT

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has shown promising results in the management of various medical conditions by stimulating the production of stem cells and growth factors. Some of these benefits include:

Wound Healing: HBOT can accelerate the healing of chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers and non-healing injuries, by promoting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and increasing the activity of white blood cells to fight infection.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: HBOT assists in the removal of carbon monoxide from the bloodstream, reducing the risk of tissue damage and neurological complications associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Radiation Injury: HBOT may mitigate the side effects of radiation therapy in cancer patients by promoting tissue oxygenation and reducing inflammation.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke: There is emerging research suggesting that HBOT may have neuroprotective effects and promote neurological recovery in individuals with traumatic brain injury or stroke.

Other Conditions with shown improvement from HBOT:

Concussions

Chronic Illness (i.e. Lyme disease, MS, EBV, Autoimmune conditions, etc.)
COVID
Post Surgical issues/fractures
Acute athletic injuries
Back-disc related conditions, including sciatica
Chronic pain/Neuropathic pain
Athletic Recovery
GI/Leaky Gut
Bone healing
Brain health

Cancer
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic Fatigue
Diabetes
ED
Endometriosis
Fibromyalgia
Macular Degeneration
Migraine Headaches
Vaccine Injuries
And more!

Benefits of HBOT:

Increases energy levels and tissue function
- Induces Mitochondrial Biogenesis
- Improves mitochondrial function by increasing ATP
- Enhances tissue repair and function

Tissue regeneration
- Fibroblast Activation
- Stem Cell Mobilization
- Neurogenesis
- Osteogenesis
- Angiogenesis/Vasculogenesis

Reduces Inflammation
- Swelling reduction
- Proven to reduce inflammatory cytokines and other associated markers (including TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and others); lowers inflammation in both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions

Reduces pain
- Anti-inflammatory
- Positive effect on Opioid receptors
- Improves both neurogenic pain and neuralgias

Improves and Enhances Immune Function
- Provides treatment for “Long COVID” symptoms
- Reduces apoptosis
- Enhances Phagocytosis and helps to kill and ward o infections
- Aids in fighting acute and chronic infection

Prevention from illness and injury
- Enhance athletic performance and recovery
- Aid in mental illness
- Provides a strong and very quick rise in endogenous antioxidants, resulting in enhanced cellular protection
- Helps to reduce free radical damage in the body (thereby preventing disease and promoting healthy aging)

Safety Considerations

While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered safe, it's essential to undergo treatment under the supervision of trained medical professionals. Complications such as barotrauma (pressure-related injuries), oxygen toxicity, and ear or sinus discomfort can occur if not properly managed.

Possible Contradictions to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber

History of a collapsed lung
History of ruptured eardrums
Pregnancy
Seizures
Congestion (although this can be treated with Sudafed prior to session)
Severe COPD
Current fever

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

The amount of necessary sessions varies depending on how the patient responds, what they are treating, and their overall goals. Below are some general guidelines for a few different conditions:

Treatment: Athlete/Athletic Lifestyle

Dosage: Unlimited

Frequency: 1-3x Week

Treatment: Biohacking/Wellness

Dosage: Unlimited

Frequency: 1-3x Week

Treatment: Chronic Pain

Dosage: 40 Sessions

Frequency: 3-5x Week

Treatment: Sprain/Strain

Dosage: 10 Sessions (as quick as possible)

Frequency: 3x Week

Treatment: Headache/Migraine

Dosage: 20 Sessions

Frequency: 3x Week

Treatment: Immune System

Dosage: 10 Sessions (as quick as possible)

Frequency: 3x Week

Treatment: Concussion- Chronic

Dosage: 20 Sessions (as quick as possible)

Frequency: 3-5x Week

Treatment: Concussion- Acute

Dosage: 10 Sessions (as quick as possible)

Frequency: 3-5x Week

Treatment: Post Surgical Minor

Dosage: 10 Sessions

Frequency: Daily for 2 Weeks

Treatment: Pre-Surgical Procedure

Dosage: 5 Sessions

Frequency: 5 Days Straight

Treatment: Chronic Illness (Lyme, MS, EBV, Autoimmune, COVID, etc)

Dosage: 40 Sessions

Frequency: 3-5x Week

Treatment: Post-Surgical Major

Dosage: 40 Sessions

Frequency: 3-5x Week

Treatment: Stem Cells/PRP Injections

Dosage: 1 Pre Blood Draw, 10 Sessions

Frequency: HBOT then inject, 10 Sessions post injection

Treatment: Neuropathic Pain

Dosage: 40 Sessions

Frequency: 3-5x Week

What does an HBOT session look and feel like?

An HBOT session includes various steps:

1. The user enters the chamber and completely zips the chamber up. The chamber is pressurized to the prescribed pressure (usually lasts~7-10 minutes).

At the start and end of the session (during the pressurization and depressurization), the user will feel increased pressure on their ears, as if they’re taking off in an airplane. The user will need to clear their ears.

2. After the chamber is completely pressurized, the user will no longer feel pressure on their ears. They will reside at full pressure, breathing in increased oxygen, for the programmed time (60-120 minutes with US HBOT chambers).

3. At the end of the session, the chamber will depressurize by the user slightly opening the air pressure release valve (usually lasts 7-10 minutes), the user unzips the chamber, and the user steps out of the chamber.

FAQs

Does the patient lie or sit inside the chamber?

Whether a patient lies or sits is dependent on the shape of the chamber. In our AIR chamber, patients have the option to either lie or sit. In the WING chamber (wheelchair accessible), the patient can roll their wheelchair and sit in the chamber.

How safe is HBOT?

HBOT is an extremely safe and non-invasive therapy with very little to no side effects. Operating soft-shelled chambers poses even less risk when compared to hard shells due to lower pressure levels, while still achieving the same results – our chambers operate at 1.3 ATA, which is the equivalent to being around 11 feet under water. Moms and their young kids can be in the chamber together without issue!.

Are electronics allowed inside the chamber?

Electronics ARE allowed inside the chamber – whether that’s your laptop, cell phone, Airpods, etc. You DO NOT need to wear specific clothing - we recommend wearing something comfortable.

What are patients allowed to do in the chamber?

While we like our patients to relax as much as possible during their sessions, some of our patients do homework, work, and even take calls inside the chamber. Naps are encouraged in the chamber as well!

What if a patient is claustrophobic?

While some claustrophobic patients initially feel intimidated, we’ve found that having patients close their eyes or use headphones usually does the trick! Additionally, the chamber has several windows, which are designed to let in light and give a feeling of "openness".

Can a patient receive an IV infusion while in the chamber?

No, patients cannot receive IV or ozone treatment while inside the chamber — the IV bag will burst under the pressure.

Can a patient receive targeted red light therapy or PEMF while in the chamber?

Yes, patients benefit from receiving targeted red light therapy and/or PEMF WHILE undergoing HBOT. All PEMF / red light products must be battery-powered.

Why is it so common for HBOT to be used in sports?

Research has indicated that HBOT can be utilized for sports performance, recovery, AND injury recovery. HBOT can increase VO2max as well as decrease recovery times dramatically.

How long does an HBOT session last?

Typically, 60 minutes.

What is the difference between Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy?

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy uses lower pressures than regular HBOT (1.3 ATA instead of 3.0 ATA).

At Simply, we use Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) instead of a regular HBOT. This is because research has shown that mHBOT produces the same or better outcomes than higher pressures with a better safety profile.

Hyperbaric oxygen chambers offer a non-invasive approach to wellness and healing by harnessing the therapeutic potential of oxygen under increased pressure. While further research is needed to fully elucidate its efficacy in various medical conditions, HBOT continues to show promise as a complementary therapy in enhancing recovery and promoting overall well-being. As with any medical intervention, individuals considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy should consult with healthcare professionals to determine its appropriateness and safety for their specific needs.