What is Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mild HBOT) involves breathing concentrated oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Because of the increased pressure, oxygen loads not only the red blood cells but the plasma as well, allowing the increased oxygen to deeply penetrate the body’s tissues. It boosts cell growth by delivering increased amounts of oxygen to blood, tissues, and organs. Increased oxygen accelerates bone, skin, and muscle regeneration, helps the body fight infections more effectively, and has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. In essence, hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates the healing process, strengthens and normalizes the immune system, and allows body functions to improve.

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Over time the combination of increased oxygen and increased pressure allows tissues and organ function to change in ways that were perhaps not physiologically possible before the treatment. HBOT is a powerful anti-inflammatory and normalizes immune function, so is helpful for autoimmune and inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and its many related forms. It stimulates growth factors and mobilizes stem/progenitor cells, which aid in the recovery of damaged organs and tissues. It is used pre- and post-surgery to facilitate good outcomes. HBOT encourages DNA switching and mitochondrial biogenesis, which are critical in neuro-rehabilitation and treatment of autism, cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. It allows healing of delayed radiation and thermal injuries by encouraging neo-vascularization—stimulating the growth of small capillaries back into damaged tissue. Athletes use it for its performance enhancing qualities and to aid muscle healing.

Recognized Diagnosis & Conditions

There are a number of FDA recognized diagnoses and conditions treatable with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as follows:

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• Conditions resulting from cancer treatments and radiation damage

• Infections in tissue, muscle, bone, or skin, including drug resistant infections

• Sores and gangrene that will not heal or that are related to diabetes

• Surgical sites with grafts or flaps

• Bones and/or tissues that are difficult to heal

• Acute severe problems from accidents (e.g. crushed leg, arm, fingers)

• Rare conditions such as decompression sickness, anemia, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, or emboli from air or gas

• Swelling of the brain, cerebral edema

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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used internationally for more than 80 different conditions. Research supports its use for athletic injuries and performance, arthritis, autism, attention deficit disorder, auto-immune disorders, Bell’s Palsy, brain and head injuries, cardiovascular disease, cerebral palsy, Crohn’s disease, dermatological conditions, diabetes, dementia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome and colitis, Lyme disease, learning disabilities, macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, pervasive development disorders, PTSD, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, reconstructive surgery, spinal cord injury, stroke, and more.

Whether one is considering knee replacement and wants to optimize the surgical outcome and speed recovery, is interested in optimizing athletic performance, or is dealing with a chronic health challenge, mild HBOT may be helpful.

What to expect at your appointment

Our hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers offer relatively large, comfortable, bright spaces to relax in during treatment. Inside the chamber you lie down, sit or stretch/exercise, in your own clothing--cotton is preferable. Bring a book to read, an iPod to listen to music, cards, or a tablet or laptop--free WIFI is available. NO pencils or ink pens allowed. Session length lasts from about one hour to ninety minutes. Treatment plans addressing chronic and neurological issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Lyme disease, or traumatic brain injury may require 30-40 sessions. Treatment plans for optimizing surgical outcomes or enhancing athletic performance may consist of 10-20 sessions.

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As oxygen is delivered, the atmospheric pressure inside the chamber is gradually increased to 1.3 ATA. You and a trained staff member remain in control of the process at all times.

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Please be aware that your scheduled session of 1 hour or 90 minutes does not include the time required for compression and decompression of the chamber. Therefore please allow for an additional 15 minutes with each appointment. For example, if you have a 1 hour appointment scheduled for 8:00 am, it is likely that your treatment will conclude closer to 9:15 am. In addition, if you arrive late for an appointment, your session will be shortened to ensure that others can be treated as scheduled.

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A physician's (ND, DC, DO or MD) referral is required for mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Your physician will determine a treatment plan that meets your individual needs. Our staff is available to work with your physician to determine what treatment frequency and amount of time is optimal for your situation--usually an hour to ninety minutes per session. You will need o complete our Intake and HIPPA form prior to your first appointment. Please also review, sign, and submit our Consent Agreement.

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If you don't have a physician that has already recommended mild HBOT, Dr. Amy R Brown Chiropractor, can do an initial exam and consultation to see if this therapy can be recommended for you or a loved one. She will also check to see if you have any contraindications to mild HBOT at this time.

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PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING FOR EACH VISIT:

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• Sign in at the front desk before entering the chamber room.

• Where comfortable cotton clothing.

• Inform us of changes in your medications and medical status.

• Empty your bladder immediately prior to your session to avoid discomfort.

• No food or drinks allowed, However, if you have diabetes, we ask you to bring a snack in case your blood sugar drops in the chamber.

• Leave coat/jacket, shoes, belt, keys, all jewelry and other sharp objects that can tear the chamber or make it uncomfortable for you to lay or sit comfortably during your session outside the chamber.

• No flammables allowed inside the chamber.

• No smoking 2 hours prior to session.

• Due to the sensitivity of other patients and staff, refrain from wearing perfume, aftershave, or essential oils at sessions.

• Schedule your next appointment prior to leaving.

Contraindications & Side Effects

Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy is painless and non-invasive, with possible minor, mild side effects. Please be aware that one possible side effect that may occur at the beginning and/or end of treatment (during compression and decompression) is a sensation of fullness in your ears, which can be alleviated by yawning. The sensation is very similar to taking-off and landing in an airplane. For those who may be claustrophobic, we suggest bringing an iPod/iPad to provide a distraction.

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While high-pressure oxygen therapy entails managing the safety risk of using 100% oxygen and the possibility of oxygen toxicity, mild HBOT offers the same physiological benefits with only minor, temporary potential side effects, which may include barotrauma (temporary ear pain), mild sinus discomfort, and temporary myopia (nearsightedness) rarely. In addition, the risk of seizure from oxygen toxicity is a risk related to pressure typically greater than 2.0 ATA and is unheard of below 1.5 ATA.

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PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CONTRAINDICATIONS AND DRUG INTERACTIONS TO MILD HBOT:

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• Congenital Spherocytosis

• COPD/Emphysema with air trapping

• Untreated Pneumothorax

• Upper Respiratory Infections--URIs can make it difficult for the patient to clear his/her ears, which can result in inflammation of sinuses, or sinus squeeze.

• Sickle Cell Anemia

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IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS,

THEN HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY SHOULD AVOIDED:

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• Cis-Platinum--a chemotherapy agent

• Disulfiram (Antabuse)--an oral tablet used to treat chronic alcoholism

• Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)--a chemotherapy agent

• Mafenide Acetate (Sulfamylon)--a topical cream used to prevent and treat bacterial or fungal infections

• Bleomycin

Office Policies

• ​In consideration for people who are waiting for appointments, we appreciate 24-hour notice of cancellation. We may change you for appointments that are missed or canceled without proper notice.

• We encourage you to arrive on time for your scheduled appointment. If you arrive late, we may choose to shorten your session. A shortened session will be charged the full fee.

• For your convenience we accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. All payments are due at the time services are rendered. Pre-paid packages must be paid in advance or at the time of service.

• Federal law dictates that we are not allowed to share health care related information about you without your permission. For example, we will not share information about your scheduled appointments or the number of visits you have left on a shared pre-pay package. This law also applies to your spouse/partner. If you would like us to be able to share this type of information with your spouse, partner, or anyone else, please complete the Designation of Personal Representative form. 

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****In order to use the Mild Hyperbaric Chamber, a patient MUST HAVE a script or recommendation from a doctor clearing them of any contraindications to use the chamber. If they do not have a script or recommendation from a current doctor and are seeking the use of Mild HBOT, they can schedule a consultation with Dr. Amy to determine if the chamber would be beneficial to them at this time and/or purchase their own chamber for home use.