Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
The healing power of oxygen is not something new. The use of hyperbaric therapy dates back nearly 350 years. The very first hyperbaric chamber was created in 1662 with the clinical use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy starting in the mid 1800s. During the 1960s, studies began to show a wide variety of beneficial uses for HBOT therapy. Today, there are over 120 reported conditions for which hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to be effective and beneficial.
Oxygen is essential for our bodies to perform and function. All the cells in our bodies require an adequate supply of oxygen to function optimally. Unlike other nutrients our body requires, we have no way of storing oxygen inside our body, we bring in fresh oxygen with every breath we take. The air we breathe has 21% oxygen in it. This is taken in through our lungs and then into the red blood cells where it is carried around the body. Whenever there is an injury, our bodies need increased oxygen to help repair damaged tissue.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non-invasive treatment which involves breathing about 97% oxygen through a mask whilst under pressure in a specialised hyperbaric chamber. Due to the pressure and concentration of oxygen being breathed in, the concentration of oxygen in the body is increased. The increased oxygen is carried round the body. All body fluids (plasma, lymph, cerebrospinal and interstitial fluids) become capable of oxygen delivery at the cellular level, so HBOT increases tissue and cellular oxygen levels, which decreases inflammation, initiates the growth of new blood vessels and promotes the healing of tissues, including the brain. Oxygen is able to reach areas of the body previously inaccessible by blood supply or blocked by damage.
The treatment lasts between 60 – 90 minutes. Repeated treatments are needed to get the most benefit. The frequency can be from 1 to 5 times a week initially, for between 5 and 40 sessions.
Benefits of HBOT Treatment:
There are many documented physiological benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, backed by numerous scientific studies. These include:
- Improving and repairing injury, by increasing oxygen delivery to damaged tissue
- Helping in new blood vessel formation (Angiogenesis)
- Increasing the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria and prevent infection
- Increasing blood flow to the brain
- Increases healing time from sports injuries
- Improving sports performance
- Faster recovery after intense work outs and professional sports
- Promoting wound healing
- Increasing the production of collagen
- Stem cell release and migration to area of injury
- Improving perfusion (blood flow) to the affected area of the brain
- Decreasing markers of inflammation in the body and brain
- Reducing local swelling (oedema)
- Speeds up recovery process for post-op patients
- Reducing the effects of decompression illness - HBOT was first used medically for this condition
Applications Of HBOT Treatment
HBOT is also widely used around the world and clients have reported benefits in the following off label indications:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Anti-aging
- Anxiety and Depression
- Arthritis
- Autism
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- General Wellbeing
- Hepatitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Lyme Disease
- Migraines and Headaches
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Paralysis
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Sports Injury
- Stomach Ulcers
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury and concussion
- Vascular Dementia
What to expect in a treatment
You will need to take your shoes off and remove everything from your pockets. Phones and other electronics need to be left outside the chamber. You will lie in the chamber and have a mask over your nose and mouth which delivers the oxygen. From then on you can simply lie back, relax and enjoy the treatment. You may read if you wish to or simply go to sleep. There are three phases to the treatment session – compression, treatment and decompression. See FAQ’s for more information on these phases. You will be able to see and talk to a member of staff at all times during the treatment.
What’s Special About Our Chamber?
The clinic uses a state of the art, rigid, monoplace chamber, made in Germany by Oxyhelp. The design and engineering of the chamber revolves around the safety, comfort and convenience of the client. There is a large window in the chamber, so you can easily see out and the Chamber Operator is in sight all the time. There is a two way intercom so you can talk to the Chamber Operator at any time.
Testimonials
To book a session or for more information, please contact:
Dena at hbot@poolehwbcentre.co.uk or +44 (0)7795 906158
