Hyperbaric oxygen therapy Frequently Asked Questions

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   Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment which enhances the body's natural healing process by inhalation of 100% oxygen in the total body chamber, where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled. it is used for a wide variety of treatments usually as part of an overall medical care plan.
 Under normal circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the body only by red blood cells. With HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all of the body's fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone and can be carried to areas where the circulation is diminished or blocked. In this way, extra oxygen can reach all of the damaged tissues and the body can support  its own healing process. the increased oxygen greatly enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria, recuses swelling and allows new blood vessels to grow more rapidly into the affected areas. It is a simples, non-invasive and painless treatment than can have dramatic effect.
How Does HBOT Work? HBOT allows oxygen to dissolve in plasma, and this oxygen rich plasma can get to tissue starved for oxygen when red blood cells can't. Injuries such as a sprain can damage the body's blood vessels, which release fluid that leaks into the tissues and causes swelling. This swelling deprives the damaged cells of oxygen, and tissue starts to die. HBOT reduces swelling while flooding these injured tissues with oxygen. The elevated pressure in the chambers increases the amount of oxygen in the blood plasma. HBOT aim to break the cycle of swelling, oxygen starvation, and tissue death. HBOT encourages the formation of the new collagen (connective tissue) and new cells. HBOT helps the body to release stem cells which help the body to replace damaged tissue. 

  It has long been known that healing many areas of the body cannot take place without appropriate oxygen levels in the tissue. Most illnesses and injuries occur, and often linger, at the cellular or tissue level.    In many cases, such as: circulatory problems; non-healing wounds; and strokes, adequate oxygen cannot reach the damaged area and the body's natural healing ability in unable to function properly. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides this extra oxygen naturally and with minimal side effects. 

  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very safe especially at the lower pressures performed at Rescue Me Massage & Body Work. Although there are minor risks like all medical treatments, overall hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely safe. The risks will be discussed with you before you begin therapy.   The greatest risk is barotrauma to the ears, however, chewing gum, swallowing, and yawning can help you equalize pressure. You have access to a pressure relief valve to slow the inflation of the chamber if needed.  

 HBOT allows oxygen to dissolve in plasma, and this oxygen rich plasma can get to tissue starved for oxygen when red blood cells can't. Injuries such as a sprain can damage the body's blood vessels, which release fluid that leaks into the tissues and causes swelling. This swelling deprives the damaged cells of oxygen, and tissue starts to die. HBOT reduces swelling while flooding these injured tissues with oxygen. The elevated pressure in the chambers increases the amount of oxygen in the blood plasma. HBOT aim to break the cycle of swelling, oxygen starvation, and tissue death. HBOT encourages the formation of the new collagen (connective tissue) and new cells. HBOT helps the body to release stem cells which help the body to replace damaged tissue.  

There are FDA approved conditions along with many studies that have proves how HBOT can help with several other conditions. FDA approved conditions include:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning Cyanide poisoning
• Crush injuries Gas gangrene ( form of gangrene in which ga collects in tissues)
• Decompression sickness
• acute or traumatic loss blood flow in the arteries
• compromised skin grafts and flaps
• infection in a bone
• delayed radiation injury
• flesh eating disease
• chronic infection with actinomycosis
• Diabetic wounds such as non-healing foot ulcers

There are several conditions where studies have shown HBOT can help with but not yet FDA approved:

• Cancer Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatic Diseases
• ALS
• Hearing Loss
• Seizures
• ADD
• Lupus
• Spinal chord injuries
• Chronic Fatigue
• Menopause symptoms
• Toxic Encephalopathy
• Chrons Disease
• Migraines
• Lyme Disease
• Depression
• Memory Loss
• Chronic infections
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Sports related injuries
• Dementia
• Parkinson's
• Herpes
• Epilepsy
• Post Plastic surgery recovery
• HIV

Some contraindications include:

• Active inner ear infections
• active sinusitis
• emphysema or oxygen dependent COPD
• Pneumothorax or current shortness of breath 
• pacemaker or implantable epidural pain pump (check with your physician and manufacturer of device to ensure it is safe at 1.5 atmospheres of pressure.)
• Seizure Disorders ( Check with your physician to ensure that your seizures are well controlled and your physician agrees you are safe to under go low pressure HBOT)
• Medications such as: Bleomycin, Cisplatin, Disulfram, Doxorubicin, or Sulfamylon or any high blood pressure medications.