The Science of Hyperbarics
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a treatment for a number of often serious conditions that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The pressurization allows for greater oxygen absorption in the body and hyperoxygenates the blood plasma in ways other treatments cannot. As your blood carries the oxygen throughout your body, it helps fight bacteria and stimulates the release of growth factors and stem cells, which promote healing.
HBOT has been used successfully in medical settings for treating decompression sickness, serious infections, and wounds that haven’t healed. It also helps improve recovery for a wide range of conditions, from athletic injuries and Lyme disease to diabetic wounds and head trauma.
Holistic Hyperbarics combines the effectiveness of medical-grade technology with a spa’s comfort, care, and hospitality to offer more rapid recovery in a soothing environment.
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves System Function
Circulatory System
In the short term - Oxygenates blood plasma, providing oxygen to compromised tissue, reducing swelling and inflammation.
In the long term - Growth of new blood vessels, enhancing circulation
Skeletal System
Enhances stimulation of the production of collagen - a tough, fibrous material that mends fractured bones.
Promotes the regeneration of new, healthier, and stronger bones.
Digestive System
Reduces inflammation
Reduces GI stress
Better nutrient absorption
Nervous System
Improves neuroplasticity
Quicker nervous synapses
Repairs damage from brain injury and illness
Helps sharpness and mental clarity
Reproductive System
Helps supports and protects the reproductive organs for women and men
Facilitating a proper environment for fertilization
Thickens the uterine lining and Improved circulation
Increases sperm production and sperm cell energy
Muscular System
Enhances tissue performance
Faster recovery
Reduces inflammation and pain
Increases cellular energy
Increases collagen production for speedy tissue repair
Endocrine System
Supports proper function or hormones, important for diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Promotes the function of hormones like insulin : increases insulin sensitivity allowing for proper blood sugar utilization.
Hyper Oxygenating the Blood
Why is more oxygen better for me?
Improved circulation
Immune system stimulation
Enhanced tissue oxygenation
Cell growth and regeneration
Muscle fatigue relief
Anti-inflammatory benefits
Pain relief
Antioxidants
Detoxification
What does this mean for me?
Rapid recovery and healing
Greater energy
More endurance
Improved sleep
Better focus
How HBOT helps Blood Vessels
Blood Flow in Healthy Blood Vessels
Oxygen molecules from the lungs bind to red blood cells (RBCs).
RBCs travel in plasma freely in blood vessels throughout the body.
Oxygen molecules are released and dissolve into surrounding tissues.
Restricted Blood Flow
When healthy blood flow is restricted by illness, injury, or surgical recovery oxygen has a difficult time getting to oxygen dependent tissue.
Even in restricted areas blood plasma can flow through where RBCs cannot because of size.
When the body is put under hyperbaric pressure, oxygen molecules diffuse into the blood plasma.
Oxygenated blood plasma is able to circulate past the restriction and into oxygen starved tissues.
Prolonged treatment with HBOT has been shown to help grow new blood vessels, further increasing the amount of oxygen saturation in the area.
Stem Cell and HBOT Combination Therapy
Stem Cells are undefined cells. Like a clean slate or blank canvas, stem cells are able to become a specialized cell needed by the body on demand, helping to repair cellular or other types of damage.
Research has shown that HBOT increases the synthesis of nitric oxide, which in turn results in the release of stem cells throughout the body.
A study revealed that after 20 combination treatments (of HBOT and stem cell therapy), stem cell concentration increased eightfold.
About Our Chambers
Soft Shell v. Hard Shell Hyperbaric Chambers
Hard shell hyperbaric chambers have a depth range of 1.5 - 3.0 ATA (atmosphere absolute) equating to an 11-66 foot dive under water.
Soft shell chambers do not produce nor contain the same amount of pressure that a hard shell chamber can. This means they are unable to permeate the blood brain barrier, which is a vital step in helping some conditions improve.
Holistic Hyperbarics features two state-of-the-art, FDA-cleared hard shell chamber designs. We have five luxuriously spacious steel chambers for your comfort while receiving your treatments. In addition, we have two clear-sided chambers equipped with a gurney loading system for patients who need more assistance accessing the chamber.
Contraindications
HBOT has been reported to have beneficial effects for a wide range of conditions, without negative side effects. Nevertheless, as with many treatments, there are contraindications, including: acute asthmatic attack; high fever; seizure disorder; optic neuritis; pneumothorax; COPD; emphysema; ear infection or blocked ear canals; sinus or upper respiratory infection; pneurysm; glaucoma; pregnancy; severe heart or lung disease; congenital spherocystosis; or clients currently taking Cisplatinum, Disulphiram, or Doxorubicin medications.
Holistic Hyperbarics does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. While hyperbaric oxygen therapy may enhance healing, it does not replace a health professional’s prescribed medications or recommended treatments.
FDA Recognized Conditions for HBOT
While there are a number of FDA recognized diagnoses and “on-label” conditions treatable with HBOT*, research also supports using HBOT for “off-label” conditions.
FDA recognized or “on-label” conditions include:
Research supported “off-label” conditions:
Arthritis
Attention deficit disorder
Auto-immune disorders
Bell’s Palsy
Cardiovascular disease
Cerebral palsy
Crohn’s disease
Interstitial cystitis
Irritable bowel syndrome and colitis
Learning disabilities
Macular degeneration
Multiple sclerosis
Neuropathies
Pervasive development disorders
PTSD
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Spinal cord injury
Stroke
and more!
Research Showing The “Off-Label” Benefits of HBOT:
Sports injuries
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3382683/
Facial nerve regeneration
http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/19086199
Severe Anemia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23045922
Rheumatoid arthritis
http://communityhyperbaric.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Hyperbaric-Oxygen-Treatments-for-Rheumatoid-Arthritis.pdf
Autism in children
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662857/
Benefits for children
http://communityhyperbaric.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/How-mild-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-works-and-why-it-is-good-for-our-children.pdf
Inflammatory bowel disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3328239/
Fibromyalgia syndrome
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4444341/
Chronic fatigue syndrome
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J092v11n03_04
Lyme’s disease
http://communityhyperbaric.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Hyperbaric-Oxygenation-for-Lyme-Vasculitis.pdf
Post-concussion syndrome
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2740054/