Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
What is HBOT?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, also known as HBOT, increases the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain by increasing both the atmospheric pressure and the concentration of oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been in practice for almost 400 years, however, many doctors are not familiar with it. Previously, HBOT chambers were only available in large medical centers, and were used for only a few medical conditions. With recent technological advancements in chamber design, HBOT has become available in clinic settings, and the use of this exciting therapy is growing rapidly for many brain conditions.
How it works:
Increasing the oxygen supply and atmospheric pressure at the same time allows more oxygen to enter into the blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluids. Oxygen can thus penetrate otherwise under-oxygenated brain tissues.
This helps with cell growth and regeneration, detoxification, immune support, and neurological functioning, among many other things.
Our HBOT chamber uses pressures of 4 PSI, or 1.3 ATA, and about 60% oxygen. This form of HBOT has very few side-effects or contraindications, and is considered to be very safe for all ages and most conditions.
We can do supervised HBOT treatments in-house, or some patients prefer to rent the chambers to do the treatments at home.
Some of the many conditions for which there is published research supporting the use of HBOT:
- Neurologic Conditions: such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),concussion,autism, stroke, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, MS, migraine, chronic pain, others
- Hypoxic Injuries, such as severe blood loss anemia, smoke inhalation, myocardial infarction (heart attack), carbon monoxide poisoning, near drowning, others
- Immune Conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, possibly Lupus, others
- Detoxification: chemical and heavy metal toxicity or poisoning
- Wound Healing: All kinds, including surgical and traumatic wounds
Overall, HBOT can be a tremendous help in any kind of neurologic recovery. It re-awakens idling neurons that have been damaged but not completely killed by injury or illness, and many times patients have shown neurologic improvement even years after the brain “insult”. Regular HBOT treatments can enhance the growth of new blood vessels into damaged tissue, so that the neurologic improvement can be maintained over time, even after HBOT treatments have ended.
Call us at the Optimal Brain Center today to see if HBOT treatment would be a good addition for your brain recovery!