What Is Hyperbaric Treatment?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, also known as HBOT or hyperbaric treatment, uses high-pressure oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber. The FDA has approved the use of hyperbaric treatment for various conditions.

The patient lies in our single-person clear hardshell hyperbaric chamber as the air pressure increases up to two or three times normal air pressure at sea level. Inside the chamber, the environment is 100 percent pure oxygen. The patient can get more oxygen into their lungs at the high-pressure level than what they would be able to in normal environments.

How Does HBOT Work?

The patient lies inside the chamber for one to two hours, depending on the condition they are being treated for. As the pure oxygen enters the body, it begins fighting bacteria. HBOT was first used as a treatment for decompression sickness. Today, Aalto Hyperbaric uses HBOT to treat various medical conditions.

Prescription Required

To receive hyperbaric treatment, you must have a prescription from a doctor. Federal law requires a written prescription for use of medical-grade chambers that use 100 percent pure oxygen. Mild chambers aren’t approved by the FDA as medical devices and don’t require a prescription. They don’t have the same benefits as our chambers.

Here at Aalto Hyperbaric, our chambers meet or exceed FDA guidelines for hyperbaric chamber manufacturing and installation. When you receive your treatment, there will be medical supervision at all times.

Patients Who Can Benefit from Hyperbaric Treatment

Hyperbaric treatment is used to treat many acute and chronic conditions. The benefits and requirements of treatment vary based on the diagnosis, but HBOT has provided positive results for many patients.

Chronic Physical Illnesses

Patients with chronic physical illnesses can receive hyperbaric treatment and experience many benefits. For example, if you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you may find relief from the pain. The oxygen helps to reduce inflammation in the joints.

Diabetics can use this treatment to help manage symptoms, such as poor circulation. It also improves healing in wounds, which is often compromised by diabetes. Patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia may get relief from HBOT. It can reduce inflammation in the joints, headaches, and stiffness.

Migraine sufferers can receive HBOT to help reduce the frequency of attacks or severity when they occur. Lack of oxygen may cause the severe pain that migraines bring. Increasing oxygen can help open the blood vessels and increase blood flow to the brain.

Acute Medical Conditions

Patients who have suffered an acute physical illness, such as a stroke, may be able to receive hyperbaric treatment. HBOT can increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain to increase brain activity and reduce long-term damage.

Because the brain has limited oxygen during a stroke, brain tissues can get damaged. New neural pathways can be built with HBOT, which can send pure oxygen to the brain to help with this process.

Oxygen is also necessary for wounds to heal. Someone with a severe wound may be able to receive HBOT to reduce the time of recovery. It can lead to the building of new blood vessels and reduced swelling. As new tissue forms, it reduces the risk of infection. Patients with skin grafts and deep wounds can benefit from hyperbaric therapy.

Patients With Mental Health Issues

Hyperbaric treatment isn’t just for people with physical conditions. Research has shown that it can help with mental health illnesses. There are indications that it may benefit Alzheimer’s patients by delaying the progression of the disease along with other forms of dementia. It is believed that increased oxygen in the tissues and blood helps improve neuronal function, which can reduce depression.

Some studies have shown promise in using HBOT for autism. Trials that have been conducted show that the treatment has made improvements in speech and social interactions for people with autism.

Anti-Aging and Skin Care Patients

Oxygen helps rejuvenate the skin and can delay the appearance of aging. These treatments can help to stimulate your body to produce more collagen, which keeps your skin looking younger and reduces wrinkles. It may also improve blood circulation by causing regrowth of the blood vessels. The result is reduced pain in the muscles and joints from aging.

If you decide to have cosmetic surgery, you can benefit from hyperbaric treatment. This treatment can help reduce swelling and it can speed up the healing process to lessen your recovery time. It may also minimize redness from cosmetic procedures.

People of All Ages Can Benefit from HBOT

Hyperbaric treatment is available for patients of all ages. Children can experience the benefits of this treatment. HBOT is safe for use with even younger children as long as the facility is equipped to treat younger patients. As long as they can lay still and not be frightened inside the chamber, they are a good candidate for the treatment.

Elderly patients often have more physical ailments, and they can also benefit from hyperbaric treatment. They may often get relief with the use of HBOT when other traditional treatments have failed.

HBOT isn’t just for sick people. Healthy people can enjoy its benefits. Athletes who are injured may speed up the healing process with this treatment. Patients who are looking to slow the aging process may find the therapy beneficial.

If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition, you can ask your doctor about hyperbaric treatment. Discuss with them how this therapy may improve your condition or the symptoms and how many sessions they recommend. Once you have a prescription, you are ready to schedule your first treatment.

Contact Aalto Hyperbaric if you are ready to schedule a treatment or to learn more about HBOT and what it can do for you. You can also schedule an appointment to meet with one of our doctors to see if you are a good candidate for our treatments.