Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Its Many Uses: How Can You Benefit?

Hyper What?

If you haven't yet heard of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, don't worry, you're not alone. This cutting-edge technology isn't widely understood or made accessible in our conventional health care system, so most people aren't aware of its profound applications and endless benefits.

Not just yet, that is.

Imagine being able to address numerous health conditions related to aging, inflammation, healing, infection, cellular, tissue, and organ metabolism, brain, muscle, skeletal, and immune system repair, and overall health optimization – at the root cause level – all in the same treatment.
No, it's not futuristic, experimental sci-fi technology based on hype. It's science.

Not only is HBOT rigorously evidence-based and proven to be clinically effective, it is safe, non-invasive, and is a passive, easy, simple treatment for maximum results with little or no effort for the patient. Your only job is to show up, get in, and relax while the technology does the work for you.

So, what is HBOT and how does it work?

HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment – in this case, a long chamber equipped with a window, similar to an MRI machine, but more spacious and less likely to cause claustrophobia. The individual receives a walkie-talkie while the attendant initiates pressurization. The patient lies down comfortably, and can rest, meditate, or sleep for the hour-long treatment. The sensation mimics what you would feel in an airplane – your ears will pop, but will stop once the chamber is fully pressurized and depressurized at the close of the session.

Recommended treatment is 40 hours in 30 days, as it has cumulative effects. 60-120 minute sessions, 1-2 times per day, for 5 days a week during the month-long period is ideal. The good news? There is no "maintenance" needed and the effects of HBOT are permanent.

Many health conditions stem from hypoxia -- a lack of oxygen to tissues. HBOT reduces hypoxia in a two-fold mechanism by: 1) stimulating the growth of more blood vessels and circulatory pathways; and 2) by hyper-oxygenating blood plasma, cerebrospinal, and lymph fluids, bypassing the normal system of transporting oxygen to the body's tissues and providing up to 25 times the typical levels of oxygen. This controlled process allows oxygen to dissolve and saturate fluids and enter the cells, tissues, and organs for numerous physiological, biochemical, and cellular benefits.

What is HBOT used for?

Hyperbarics serve as a therapeutic intervention for the prevention and recovery of a host of acute symptoms, as well as for the treatment of ongoing chronic issues.  HBOT decreases inflammation, reduces oxidative stress and cellular degeneration, and increases the capacity for the body to rapidly heal itself. It increases energy and stamina, soft tissue, bone, and skin health. HBOT can also destroy harmful bacteria and viruses and initiates the natural defense activity of white blood cells to boost the immune system. Notably, hyperbarics stimulate stem cell development, which serves as the body's primary internal repair system in anti-disease, anti-aging, and regenerative processes.

HBOT is being used cosmetically to combat signs of aging in a safe, accessible, non-invasive, non-surgical way. Hyperbarics can effectively promote skin elasticity, collagen production, reduce scar formation, and treat excessive skin damage from sun exposure.

Beyond the superficial, HBOT can address chronic diseases that are the leading causes of death and disability in the US:  cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Hyperbarics can be a therapeutic intervention and serve as a prophylactic measure in combination with other dietary and lifestyle modalities to reduce the risk of these major diseases from evolving and impacting overall health and life span.

Cancer, one of the rapidly-increasing leading causes of death, can be addressed with HBOT. Hyperbarics can both enhance the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of conventional cancer treatments and therapies to shrink tumors, alleviate chemotherapy issues, and accelerate healing. HBOT can also help to prevent cancer by decreasing inflammatory markers, normalizing cellular oxygen levels, supporting DNA repair, and promoting cellular detoxification.

Hyperbarics target many neurological conditions, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. HBOT increases neural stem cell growth and helps cultivate brain and nervous system activity, functionality, repair, and regeneration. It improves memory and mental performance, mood, cognitive and motor function, and stimulates neuroplasticity.

Lyme disease patients are experiencing relief from HBOT, as it increases immune function and repairs tissue damage, as well as for its antibacterial properties. In one Texas A&M University study by Dr. Donald Freeman and Dr. William Fife, 40 Lyme disease patients received HBOT five days per week for around four weeks. All but two of the patients improved and saw improvements even after they discontinued the HBOT.  Each patient did report Herxheimer (Herx) reactions. These reactions are caused by the die-off of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and can include grogginess, headaches, or low-grade fever lasting a day or two. Once Herx symptoms subsided, patients reported they felt more energetic and their pain had improved. They also reported the ability to think more clearly.  Because of these Herx effects, additional detox support like targeted supplements, nutritional support, and infrared sauna treatments may be helpful. 

Specific health conditions and medical diagnoses that HBOT is being used to treat include (but aren't limited to):

• Cerebral Palsy
• Diabetes
• Autism
• Age-related and Degenerative Diseases
• Cancer
• Overall Neurological Conditions
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Stem Cell Growth
• Sports-related Injuries
• Chronic pain
• HIV/AIDS
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Bell's Palsy
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Cirrhosis
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Gastrointestinal ulcers
• Hepatitis
• Migraines
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson's Disease
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Concussions
• Lyme Disease

Wondering if this new form of regenerative medicine is right for you?

The answer is most likely YES!

With its numerous effects on existing conditions and effective preventative benefits, HBOT can be a needle-mover in your health and longevity practice. In combination with ongoing efforts that build resilience and health at the source (proper nutrition, sleep, stress management, detoxification practices,  supplements, positive mindset, strong social connections)  hyperbarics can contribute to a dramatically improved level of health.

For more information on booking treatments and for additional health coaching and detoxification support as beneficial adjunct services to enhance the effectiveness of the hyperbaric treatments, call TAO Center for Vitality, Longevity, and Optimal Health LLC in Hebron, CT at (860) 228-1287 

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of TAO Vitality or Lymecore Botanicals. 

Resources: 

1.  Henshaw IN, Simpson A. Compressed Air as a Therapeutic Agent in the Treatment of Consumption, Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis and Other Diseases. 1857.

2.  Kindwall E, Whelan H. Hyperbaric Medicine Practice. 2nd ed. Flagstaff, AZ: Best Publishing Company; 2004. chap 1, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30.

3.  Chin W, Jacoby L, Simon O, Talati N, Wegrzyn G, Jacoby R, et al. Hyperbaric programs in the United States: Locations and capabilities of treating decompression sickness, arterial gas embolisms, and acute carbon monoxide poisoning: survey results. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2016 Jan-Feb. 43 (1):29-43. [Medline].

4.  Leslie CA, Sapico FL, Ginunas VJ, Adkins RH. Randomized controlled trial of topical hyperbaric oxygen for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetes Care. 1988 Feb. 11(2):111-5. [Medline].

5.  Boerema I, et al. Life without blood. A study of the influence of high atmospheric pressure and hypothermia on dilution of the blood. J Cardiovascular Surg. 1960. 1:133-146.

6.  Bassett BE, Bennett PB. Introduction to the physical and physiological bases of hyperbaric therapy. Hunt TK, Davis JC. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Bethesda, MD: Undersea Medical Society; 1977. 11-24.

7.  Bird AD, Telfer AB. Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Limb Circulation. Lancet. 1965 Feb 13. 1(7381):355-6. [Medline].

8.  Tal S, Hadanny A, Sasson E, Suzin G, Efrati S. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Induce Angiogenesis and Regeneration of Nerve Fibers in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients. Front Hum Neurosci. 2017. 11:508. [Medline].