What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric medicine is the administration of 100% oxygen at greater than atmospheric pressure to increase oxygen delivery to various tissues in the body. It’s history dates back as early as the 1600’s. Early success with hyperbaric oxygen therapy was focused on treating decompression sickness. It wasn’t until the mid-1950’s that notable success in treating infection was scientifically established. Later in the 1970’s hyperbaric medicine began its most wide spread use in the healing of problem wounds. Currently, development in the field is advancing at a rapid pace due to new research that is showing a large number of conditions that may benefit from HBOT. The naturopathic doctors at our clinic are at the forefront or providing this therapy for these additional conditions. Treatment at our clinic takes place in a clear, acrylic, monoplace chamber. The chamber system used at our facility provides for a comfortable, safe, and effective treatment for our patients. Hyperbaric oxygen is a painless procedure during which the chamber is filled with 100% oxygen and the chamber is pressurized. Patients may experience a “popping” of the ears during the treatment similar to flying in an airplane.
How Does it Work?
The breathing of 100% oxygen alone will saturate the hemoglobin. However, pressure is required for oxygen to be absorbed into the plasma. This increases the amount of oxygen available to various parts of the body.
How Many Treatments?
Patients receive between 20-60 treatments depending on the condition being treated. Treatments are usually 1.5 hours in duration. For some conditions extra rounds of treatments may be indicated to continue to benefit and see improvements from the treatment.
Increased oxygen has many physical effects including:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-microbial
- Formation of new blood vessels
- Increased fibroblastic activity
- Reduces edema
- Modifies growth factors and cytokines
- Promotes cellular proliferation
- Accelerates collagen deposition
Do I Need a Referral?
No referral is required to receive hyberbaric oxygen at our clinic. However, all patients interested in hyperbaric oxygen therapy must schedule a consultation with one of our naturopathic doctors to ensure that hyperbaric oxygen is a safe and appropriate treatment. Examples of conditions being actively treated are listed below. This list is not exhaustive of the applications of hyperbaric medicine. Patients should inquire to the clinic directly regarding the appropriateness of hyberaric oxygen therapy in treating a health issue.
