Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. This increases the amount of oxygen in your blood, which can help your body heal more quickly. HBOT is used to treat a variety of conditions, including wounds, infections, and decompression sickness.
How Often Will I Be Having the Treatment?
This depends on your condition and what your doctor feels is appropriate. The sessions last just over an hour and can be repeated daily five days a week for up to 40 sessions.
Are There Any Side-effects from HBOT?
This is extremely safe. There is no downside to HBOT. There are no negative side effects that can be damaging to your health. You will experience a pressure change in your ears as a result of the changing pressure that is identical to the experience of flying in airplanes. The change in pressure may cause some ear or sinus discomfort, however with the operator’s instruction this is easily avoidable.
Note that HBOT has been used for other than diving ailments for more than 50 years. In 2009, within the United Kingdom 63,489 MS treatments were completed without a single serious problem!
Where an extended, intensive course of treatment is necessary (i.e. 100+ treatments in diabetic wound healing), some patients may need glasses or their prescription may change. This change is temporary and reverses a few weeks after treatment stops.
A special note on clearing your ears: As soon as the chamber pressure increases and as soon as you “feel the pressure”, you will need to start making your ears ‘pop’. There are several ways to do this and the chamber attendant will help you to discover the method that best suits you.
Usually, the easiest way to clear the ears is to swallow and yawn. Alternatively you can try moving your lower jaw from side to side then in and out. If that isn’t effective, try pinching your nose closed and gently blowing. It is helpful to have a small drink of water just prior to the session to moisten the throat. Do not worry if you cannot at first effectively clear or pop your ears, but let the attendant know straightaway and they will be able to slow the compression rate and offer advice.
HBOT is a pleasant experience but we are all claustrophobic to some extent, so expect to feel slight apprehension, because this is normal. The staff are trained to offer reassurance and answer any questions you might have putting your fears to rest. The safest place to be is inside a hyperbaric chamber because of the high levels of oxygen delivered to the body.
How Much Does It Cost?
Treatments start at $185. We accept cash, card and check only.
Any other questions?
Please direct them to your Chamber Operator, your doctor or the facility director. While HBOT is not a miracle cure, it is noninvasive, safe, works well with other treatments and has a growing body of documented studies that prove that it helps people achieve better health and live longer with more comfortable and productive lives. It just makes you feel better!