Exploring the Healing Power of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Benefits
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/01/30/13/46/pressure-gauge-3118811_1280.jpg
Are you ready to learn about the potential health benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that has been quietly helping patients recover from a variety of conditions for decades. Unlike many other medical treatments, it is non-invasive, natural and drug-free.
Yet despite this, most people have never even heard of it.
In this post, I will show you:
- Why HBOT Is One Of The Most Effective Ways To Heal
- How HBOT Works To Supercharge Your Body’s Recovery
- Real Life Success Stories To Astonish You
- Why Doctors Are Starting To Prescribe This
Why HBOT Is One Of The Most Effective Ways To Heal
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can sound like something out of a science fiction movie when you first hear about it. But it is a real, well-researched and FDA-approved medical therapy.
Patients undergoing HBOT breathe 100% pure oxygen through a mask or hood while sitting in a pressurized chamber. The pressure inside the chamber is increased to 2-3 times higher than normal air pressure.
The increased pressure and oxygen saturation results in the blood and tissues being flooded with oxygen. The human body needs oxygen to heal from injuries and fight infections. HBOT provides a big boost in oxygen delivery.
You might be wondering, “Why would anyone need more oxygen than normal?”
Let me explainâŚ
Your body’s cells use oxygen for energy. They literally burn fuel in small fires called “mitochondria.” Oxygen is a vital part of the fuel that fires those little flames inside your body.
In some cases, medical conditions or injuries can result in your tissues and organs not getting enough oxygen. This can severely limit your ability to heal.
HBOT works by literally pouring oxygen on that healing fire.
HBOT has been around for a long time, even though most people have no idea.
The U.S. Navy first began using hyperbaric chamber benefits to treat divers with decompression sickness in the 1940s. By the 1960s, medical professionals also discovered HBOT could treat carbon monoxide poisoning.
In 1981, the FDA approved the first hyperbaric chamber for sale in the United States.
These days, the FDA has approved the hyperbaric oxygen chamber to treat over a dozen different serious conditions. The therapy works and the hyperbaric chamber benefits continue to be discovered.
How HBOT Works To Supercharge Your Body’s Recovery
If you are still wondering how it is possible to just breathe in extra oxygen and heal.
Here are the three main mechanisms by which HBOT accelerates recovery.
1. Increased Oxygen Delivery: During HBOT treatment, patients breathe 100% oxygen instead of the 21% oxygen in normal air. The higher pressure also increases the amount of oxygen in your blood by up to 20 times the normal level.
2. Antimicrobial Activity: Oxygen helps destroy harmful bacteria and strengthens white blood cells.
3. New Blood Vessel Growth: HBOT stimulates new blood vessel growth, which increases circulation and oxygen delivery to injured areas.
Real Life Success Stories To Astonish You
HBOT results in treating real patients are simply stunning.
Here are the statisticsâŚ
A large study of nonhealing wounds found 81% of patients achieved near complete or complete healing after HBOT. These were wounds that had failed to heal with traditional treatment methods for many months or even years.
Another real-world data analysis looked at over 600,000 wounds. It showed that 75% can be healed with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Perhaps most importantlyâŚ
Patients with diabetes at high risk for amputation saw dramatic reductions in life-changing surgeries.
Amputation rates were 10.7% for HBOT patients compared to 26.0% for those who received standard wound care alone. That is a huge difference.
Wound healing benefits are perhaps the most impressive of all. HBOT can help with:
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Chronic wounds from poor circulation
- Post-surgical wounds with complications
- Radiation-damaged tissue
- Severe antibiotic-resistant infections
One study even looked at patients who had wounds that had been present for at least 18 months. After HBOT treatment, the majority of these wounds showed significant improvement. Some patients even saw improvement with wounds as old as 70 years.
Exciting new research is showing HBOT benefits also extend to many neurological conditions. A study of post-COVID patients found significant improvements in cognitive symptoms, fatigue, sleep quality and pain after 40 sessions of HBOT.
Why Doctors Are Starting To Prescribe This
The medical community is also beginning to take notice.
Here is what is fueling the rising interest in HBOTâŚ
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy market size is $4.41 billion in 2024 and expected to reach $8.16 billion by 2032. That is impressive growth and is driven by the success of the therapy and expanding uses.
Insurance companies are also coming around to HBOT. Medicare and most private insurance providers now cover HBOT when it is used for FDA-approved conditions. This is making the treatment much more accessible to patients who need it.
The hyperbaric oxygen therapy also happens to be exceptionally safe.
Treatment is incredibly safe when done at an accredited facility. The most common side effect is ear pressure discomfort, similar to what you might feel on a plane.
Serious complications are very rare. Treatment usually involves 30-60 sessions of 1-2 hours each. Most patients can relax or sleep during their session. It is one of the most relaxing parts of the day for most people.
The FDA is also continuing to approve new uses for HBOT.
Current FDA-approved conditions that can be treated with HBOT include:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Chronic, non-healing wounds
- Radiation injury
- Severe anemia
- Bone and soft tissue infections
Research is also ongoing for stroke, autism and even certain cancers.
The Treatment Experience
If you have never had the treatment, the experience is one of the most common questions from new patients.
Most are surprised at how comfortable and relaxing it feels to receive HBOT.
You lie on a padded table in a clear cylinder chamber similar to an MRI machine. The chamber pressurizes as you breathe 100% pure oxygen through a mask.
It feels like you are on an airplane in terms of pressure. Your ears might pop, but it is not painful. Most patients adapt quickly.
You can watch TV, movies, or even sleep during treatment sessions.
Making HBOT Work For You
If you are thinking of getting HBOT, here are some key points to keep in mind.
Start with the right expectations. HBOT is not a magic cure but can be highly effective when used correctly. It works best as part of an overall treatment plan.
Choose an accredited facility. HBOT should only be done at facilities accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. This ensures they follow all safety protocols and have trained staff.
Commit to the full treatment course. HBOT is not a “one and done” treatment. Benefits are cumulative and build over time. Patients that follow their full treatment plan generally see the best results.
Wrapping It Up
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a wonderful treatment. The therapy works with your body, not against it. It harnesses the power of oxygen to supercharge your body’s own natural healing processes.
The statistics don’t lie. With success rates in excess of 75% for wound healing, HBOT is one of the most effective treatments available.
What’s more, behind every statistic are real people who had their lives improved by HBOT. Patients who were able to avoid amputation, heal their chronic wounds, or recover from severe infections.
As research continues and new uses for the therapy are discovered, HBOT will likely play an even larger role in medicine. For now, it is a powerful option to have when treating a growing list of serious conditions.
If you or a loved one have a condition that might respond to HBOT, it is well worth a discussion with your healthcare provider.
