Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber. HBOT promotes the body’s natural healing processes by increasing oxygen delivery to tissues and organs by up to 20 times. This increased oxygen saturation accelerates the repair of damaged cells, making it a valuable treatment for conditions such as non-healing wounds, burns, infections, TBI’s, neuroinflammation, diabetic ulcers, and more.
Oxygen is vital for health. Every cell in the body (with the exception of red blood cells) needs a continuous supply of oxygen to produce energy. When there is not enough oxygen, the necessary energy for optimal function cannot be generated. One of the ways to increase energy production within the cells is to supply more oxygen.
Have you ever heard that in higher altitudes, the air is ‘thinner’? With HBOT, the opposite of that effect is created. The increased atmospheric pressure in a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber helps the body absorb more oxygen, taking it to places of inflammation and wherever else it is needed – much more than it is able to without the added atmospheric pressure. This non-invasive therapy has little to no side effects, when used properly. One of the biggest advantages of HBOT is that it can be used in addition to other therapies.
Areas of Health Where HBOT has been shown to be beneficial
Even though HBOT was and is mostly known for treating carbon monoxide poisoning and decompression sickness in divers, there are many more benefits for all sorts of health issues.
Wounds / Infections
- Wound Healing
- Post-Surgical healing
- Scar healing
- Lyme Disease
- Epstein Barr
Neuro-Degenerative
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s
- ALS
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
Neurologic
- Head Injury
- Concussion
- Post-Stroke
- Chronic Fatigue
- Cerebral Palsy
- ADD/ADHD
- Autism
Anti-aging / Performance
- Increased Memory
- Increased Energy
- Post-Exercise recovery
- Quicker Healing of Strains / Sprains
What does a treatment look like?
During a treatment, the patient is laying in the chamber, breathing normally. A treatment lasts between 45 and 60 minutes and can be with or without added oxygen.
While the chamber is pressurizing you may experience the following:
- Increased pressure in ears
- Decreased hearing
Know that this is normal! An assistant will be available for the patient during the pressurizing. It is important that patients are able to equalize ear pressure and remain relaxed in that confined space.
HBOT treatment protocols are based upon each patient’s need and individual situation. For general wellness and prevention, it is recommended to have HBOT 2-4 times per month.
Siskiyou Vital Medicine offers HBOT treatments to members and non-members alike – non members need a referral from their primary care physician. Please inquire about available discounts and to set up an appointment.
References:
Dr. Jason Sonner, Director of NJ HBOT, HBOT USA and certified Hyperbaric Practitioner, https://oxygennj.com/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/
The Journal of Physiological Sciences: Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen:: mechanisms and effects, https://jps.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1007/s12576-019-00678-5
Medicina: A General Overview on the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Applications, Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities, https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/57/9/864
Hyperbaric Oxygen Science https://123hbot.com/science/
Dr. Mercola: Hyperbaric Therapy — A Vastly Underused Treatment Modality, https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/06/30/hyperbaric-therapy.aspx?v=1715207740
Dr. Mercola: Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Reverses Signs of Aging, https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/12/14/hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment-reverses-signs-of-aging.aspx
Dr. Mercola: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as an Adjunct Healing Modality, https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/11/26/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-benefits.aspx
Purchase a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber: https://123hbot.com/
Please be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not recognize some of the abovementioned benefits of HBOT. Learn more here: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-get-facts