What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that uses high-dose oxygen to speed and enhance the body’s natural ability to heal. High dose oxygen therapy is an American Medical Association and FDA approved modality. While sometimes used as a primary emergency treatment, it is more often used as a cost-effective adjunct or enhancement therapy.
During therapy, the patient breathes oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure (the air we normally breathe contains up to 21% of this essential element). The concentration of oxygen normally dissolved in the bloodstream is thus raised many times above normal—up to 2,000%.
In addition to the blood, all bodily fluids, including the lymph and cerebrospinal fluids, are infused with the healing benefits of this molecular oxygen.
Oxygen administered under pressure is able to reach bone and tissue which are inaccessible to red blood cells. It also enhances white blood cell function, increases circulating stem cells, stimulates the promotion of collagen, stops the body’s inflammation reaction and promotes the formation of new capillary and peripheral blood vessels. This results in increased infection control and faster healing for a wide range of conditions.
When administered by a highly trained professional, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Thrive Hyperbarics is extremely safe and effective. It is used as part of an overall medical treatment plan for a variety of conditions.
WHAT IS THE CHAMBER LIKE?
Thrive Hyperbarics uses a self-releasing, seated monoplace hyperbaric chamber (seats one person at a time). The chamber allows our patients to remain seated, rather than lying flat, in their own private chamber. Sitting chambers provide more comfort for our patients, especially those who have difficulty breathing while laying down, or have claustrophobia, or problems tolerating treatment in a supine position.
The treatment is painless. At times, however, you may experience a sensation of pressure in your ears, similar to flying in an airplane.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
HBOT requires a prescription from a medical doctor. Your treatment protocol is dependent on the prescription given by your attending physician. Some emergency cases require only a few treatments, while other wound healing and neurological cases may require 20-40 treatments.
As HBOT is typically not covered for any indications outside of those strictly FDA-approved, Thrive Hyperbarics does not accept insurance. Therefore, treatment costs will be the personal responsibility of the patient.
DO I NEED TO MAKE ANY SPECIAL PREPARATIONS FOR MY TREATMENT?
Patients should eat and take medications as they normally would. Diabetics are encouraged to eat just before entering the chamber in order to prevent the occurrence of hypoglycemia.
To ensure your safety and maximum benefit from HBOT, certain precautions are necessary:
Wear comfortable cotton clothing. Prior to your appointment, please refrain from using perfumes, topical lotions, or cosmetics. Jewelry is also not allowed in the chamber.
Smoking—tobacco products constrict blood vessels and limit the amount of blood and oxygen that can be delivered to your tissues. You should not use tobacco products during your course of treatment.
Medications—some medications change the body’s response to oxygen. It is very important that you provide your hyperbaric treatment team with a complete list of medications, including non-prescription drugs, you are currently taking.
