WHAT IS HYPERBARIC TREATMENT?

Oxygen is essential to our survival. And while most everyone knows that, what they don't know is how beneficial it is to increase the amount of oxygen our blood can carry—which is exactly what Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) does. Hyperbaric Treatment delivers 100% oxygen under pressure, allowing your lungs to gather three times more oxygen which it then carries throughout the body to help fight bacteria and infections. 

Oxygen is vital to the healing process. In acute athletic injuries such as sprains and strains, for example, the injured area becomes swollen and inflamed. Swelling further interferes with circulating oxygen by constricting blood supply around the injured area, slowing down the healing process. Typically, only red blood cells have the ability to carry oxygen to injured parts. However, during Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, oxygen molecules become soluble. This enables them to cross over all cell membranes and provides up to 20 times normal oxygen levels. The extra oxygen is dissolved into and readily transported by all body fluids, including plasma, intra and extra-cellular fluid, cerebrospinal, lymph, and synovial fluid.

The injured area is suddenly provided with several alternate routes for receiving oxygen, accelerating the athlete’s recovery. From muscle contusions to ankle sprains and bone fractures to concussions, Hyperbaric OxygenTherapy is the cutting edge treatment being used to aid athletes in getting back in the game.

HBOT is most effective when administered within 12 hours of injury.

Coaches and trainers work hard to ensure their athletes are in the greatest physical condition so they can be at the top of their game and avoid injury. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy will provide your athlete with benefit to all body tissues and organs. Increased tissue oxygenation produces long-term therapeutic benefits which include forming new blood vessels (angiogenesis), fostering new cell growth (fibroblast formation) and aiding the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and remove toxins (an increased immunologic response). HBOT also accelerates the dissipation of harmful lactic acid that is built up in muscles during exercise.

Whether in a normal or injured state, muscles, joints and organs receive significant benefits from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

What Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy do for Personal Beauty & Skin Care?

Many people use artificial methods to improve the look of their skin, such as anti-wrinkle creams, ointments, cosmetics, pills and plastic surgery. But, an increasing number of people are using HBOT to help rejuvenate their skin.

Many models, performers and top business people have all embraced the use of HBOT to enhance their beauty.Dr Ellen Marmur, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, says:

This is how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps. During a HBOT session, the body receives pure oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure. This boosts the body’s ability to circulate oxygen, allowing it to seep through into areas where blood flow is poor or blocked and helps skin to rejuvenate. HBOT promotes fast repair of damaged skin cells, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and helping the skin to heal after trauma, injury or surgery. HBOT has shown promising signs for weight loss, fast nail growth and reducing cellulite, and is recommended for helping skin disorders such as eczema, acne, psoriasis and rosacea.

HBOT is a very simple, non-invasive, pain-free procedure. Here at the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Centre in London, our patients enter a single-person, purpose-built and state-of-the-art chamber and breathe in pure oxygen at up to 2 times the normal atmospheric pressure.

1.What Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Feel Like?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is virtually pain-free. Patients lie comfortably and restfully in the chamber. Patients can listen to music, watch television or movies, or nap if they wish. During certain stages of the treatment, patients may experience a sensation of fullness in their ears. This is similar to that which is felt while flying in an airplane or driving down a mountain as the eardrum responds to changes in pressure. As part of the introduction to treatment, patients are taught several easy methods to avoid ear discomfort.

2. Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is prescribed by a physician and performed under supervision. Like all treatments and procedures, there are some risks associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These risks are quite rare and will be discussed in detail prior to starting therapy. Overall, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely safe. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy usually has limited or no after-or-side effects. 

3. How long do treatments last?

Hyperbaric oxygen treatments typically last 90 to 120 minutes and are administered usually once each day, five days a week.

4. What should I expect when being treated?

During therapy you will relax in a see-through atmosphere-controlled chamber. The internal dimensions of the chamber allow freedom of movement. You may listen to music, watch TV, take a nap or converse with the staff during therapy. Relaxation techniques may also be available.

5. How long do treatments last?

Hyperbaric oxygen treatments typically last 90 to 120 minutes and are administered usually once each day, five days a week.