What is Hyperbaric Oxygen?
Hyperbarics is the use of oxygen at a higher than normal atmospheric pressure.
Hyper means increased & Baric relates to pressure. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) refers to intermittent treatment of the entire body with increased oxygen concentration. That pressure is defined as one atmosphere absolute (1 ATA). In the ambient atmosphere we normally breathe approximately 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen. While undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, pressure is increased up to two times (2 ATA) with increased oxygen concentration. This increased pressure & oxygen concentration forces oxygen into your blood plasma, body cells, body tissue and bodily fluids at an average rate of 10X the normal concentration. This has significant benefits to bodies ability to heal, recover, perform & function.
Hyper means increased & Baric relates to pressure. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) refers to intermittent treatment of the entire body with increased oxygen concentration. That pressure is defined as one atmosphere absolute (1 ATA). In the ambient atmosphere we normally breathe approximately 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen. While undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, pressure is increased up to two times (2 ATA) with increased oxygen concentration. This increased pressure & oxygen concentration forces oxygen into your blood plasma, body cells, body tissue and bodily fluids at an average rate of 10X the normal concentration. This has significant benefits to bodies ability to heal, recover, perform & function.
How Hyperbarics Oxygen Therapy(HBOT) will help you:
- HBOT increases Stem Cell Growth
- HBOT significantly reduces swelling and shortens the inflammatory process
- HBOT significantly reduces edema
- HBOT improves range of motion
- HBOT increases the production of collagen
- HBOT increases growth of cells that form reparative tissue (fibroblastic proliferation) with greater tissue strength
- HBOT supports scar tissue rehabilitation
- HBOT enhances the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and stimulates new capillary growth
- HBOT increases oxygen levels in tissues (hyperoxia)
- HBOT increases oxygen perfusion area around wounds
- HBOT improves the survival of tissues in the 'grey area' of crush injuries
- HBOT increases production and improves the action of Osteoblasts and Osteoclasts
- HBOT improves bone regeneration for faster recovery
- HBOT helps prevent infection by increasing white blood cell production
- HBOT enhances ability of white blood cells to remove bacteria and debris (leukocyte activity)
- HBOT potentiates the use of antibiotics
- HBOT destroys harmful bacteria (Antimicrobial effect)
- Hyperbaric Oxygenation improves the Blood Flow
In step process:
Normal Blood Flow: There is 21% oxygen in the air that we breathe, and our lungs transfer this oxygen to our red blood cells (via hemoglobin). These oxygen-filled red blood cells are carried around the body by the plasma (fluid), which travels through the blood vessels. The oxygen diffuses into the surrounding tissue ensuring that it is delivered to where it is needed most.
Restricted Blood Flow (ischemia) Causes Hypoxia When there is a restriction (occlusion) in blood flow due to surgery, illness, or injury, the red blood cells block the blood vessel and are unable to transfer oxygen to the cells on the other side of the occlusion. This causes swelling and starves the area of oxygen, causing hypoxia (a lack of oxygen); when this occurs the tissue begins to break down. Hypoxia triggers ‘apoptosis’ (programmed cellular degeneration – clumping and clustering of damaged nerve cells surrounded by healthy neuronal tracts). Apoptosis modifies the expression of plasticity (the ability of the body to repair). Apoptotic bodies and altered DNA fragmentations are observed in the avascular ischemic region with increased inhibitory biochemical factors (proteins) released into the damaged parts of the brain and spinal cord causing further deterioration. Apoptosis has been identified in all neurodegenerative disorders including brain and spinal cord injury. Apoptosis fosters the cycle of continued dysfunction, degeneration and ultimate neuronal death.
Hyperbaric Oxygenation: Breathing 100% oxygen under pressure causes the oxygen to diffuse into the blood plasma. This oxygen-rich plasma is able to travel past the restriction, diffusing up to 3 times further into the tissue. The pressurized environment helps to reduce swelling and discomfort, while providing the body with at least 10-15 times its normal supply of oxygen to help repair tissue damaged by the original occlusion or subsequent hypoxic condition. Hyperbaric Oxygenation (HBOT) directly increases the saturation of tissue oxygenation, slowing and reversing hypoxic induced apoptosis - restoring blood supply to the compromised region by the development of new capillary networks (neovascularization) enabling the body to alter the course and impact of the disease process.