Moderate Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
HBOT can be a safe, effective treatment for many types of medical conditions because it activates the body’s natural healing and anti-oxidant mechanisms, even in areas with poor blood flow which can be difficult to affect with other treatment modalities. It is a therapy that yields its restorative properties with chronic & long term use, however many users start to notice improvements in their symptoms after just a few treatments.
Our in-office hyperbaric chamber is the Biobarica System – and FDA approved, semi-rigid chamber that delivers moderate pressure (1.5ATA) – this delivers a higher therapeutic pressure than most portable soft chambers (1.0-1.3 ATA), but without the risks of acute pressure injury associated with traditional hard chamber models used for acute conditions (2.0-3.0 ATA).
The Biobaric System: https://www.biobarica.com/
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Oxygen is able to penetrate tissues that are otherwise oxygen deprived (ie. areas of poor blood flow)
Brief hyperoxia has anti-inflammatory effects, and triggers the body’s natural anti-oxidant and repair systems
Over time repeated sessions of HBOT can lead to angiogenesis (the creation of new, healthy blood vessels)
Therefore HBOT can be a safe, effective treatment for many types of medical conditions because it activates the body’s natural healing and anti-oxidant mechanisms, even in areas with poor blood flow which can be difficult to affect with other treatment modalities. It is a therapy that yields its restorative properties with chronic & long-term use, however many users start to notice improvements in their symptoms after just a few treatments.
When does Doctor T, MD prescribe HBOT?
Due to it’s high therapeutic index, safety, and history of use, this therapy can used for a broad range of conditions. The main limitation of this therapy is the time investment — it achieves it’s greatest therapeutic effect after long periods of repetitive use. The chamber used in our office is higher pressure than the soft chambered units, and is available by Doctor T’s patients by prescription, often in series of 10 to 30 treatments (60-90min each). When fully engaged with HBOT treatments (minfulness practices highly encouraged while in the chamber) one can even yield additional therapeutic benefits beyond the oxygen medicine alone.
The FDA has approved traditional HBOT (high pressure, 2.0-3.0 ATA) for numerous medical conditions including:
Decompression sickness (“the Bends”)
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Necrotizing soft tissue infections and gas gangrene
Crush injuries, burn injuries, skin grafts & flaps
Refractory osteomyelitis
The FDA has approved mild HBOT (low pressure, 1.0-1.3 ATA) for altitude sickness. However many people, medical clinics, and medical spas are now using mild HBOT for other conditions including*:
(Please note: the moderate HBOT chamber at Doctor T, MD’s office is a slightly higher pressure at 1.5ATA)
Athletic & musculoskeletal injuries
Autism
Autoimmune diseases
Cancer & immunologic conditions
Chemotherapy/radiation recovery
Skin conditions
Hyperinflammatory conditions
Neurodegenerative diseases
Weight loss & metabolic optimization
FAQ.
How is moderate HBOT performed?
When you are prescribed moderate HBOT, you will come to our office and be instructed through our safety protocols for using the chamber. Our staff will help you into the chamber, and apply an oxygen mask.
The chamber is then closed and you will feel the pressure building for about 5 minutes, during which time you will use demonstrated techniques to equilibrate your ear pressure. Once the chamber is at full pressure, very little pressure is felt for the remaining the 60-90min therapeutic session – most patients report feeling relaxed and calm during this period of time.
Most people sleep, meditate, or read a book during this time. Our staff will then release the pressure and help you out of the chamber.
Should you become claustrophobic, you can also use the emergency exit to get out of the chamber at any time.
How many sessions of moderate HBOT will I need?
This is variable and depends on the condition for which you are using it. Acute musculoskeletal injuries/conditions can improve in as little as 5 sessions, post-surgical tissue healing averages 10 sessions, while immune and neurocognitive protocols have been sthave been studied for response after 40+ sessions. Your doctor will discuss their recommendations for your condition with you when moderate HBOT is prescribed.