Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves being in an enclosed chamber filled with pure oxygen at pressures 2-3 times higher than normal air.

Oxygen is vital to life and is key to cell health, tissue repair, and energy production. The increased pressure in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber enables your lungs to absorb more of the oxygen. Consequently, your blood delivers extra oxygen to damaged and worn tissues.

The additional oxygen helps you heal and restores healthy function.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also prevents harmful bacteria from infecting your body. High oxygen levels improve immune system function and encourage the growth of blood cells, collagen, and other tissues.

What conditions can hyperbaric oxygen therapy treat?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a long history of use in treating burn injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene (a potentially deadly infection), and decompression syndrome. This dangerous condition occurs if divers rise to the water’s surface too fast.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also effective for anemia (low iron levels in the blood), traumatic injuries, autoimmune disorders, and non-healing wounds like diabetic ulcers.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a valuable treatment for patients with musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain.

Some tissues, like the meniscus cartilage in your knees, naturally get less blood. Swelling from fluid buildup and blood vessel inflammation can also affect blood flow. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly improves healing, especially if you have a restricted blood supply.

What does hyperbaric oxygen therapy involve?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is painless and noninvasive. You simply lie inside the chamber and breathe. Your Westside Pain Specialists provider monitors you continually — you can see and speak to them if you have any concerns.

The hyperbaric oxygen chamber uses an air influx to raise the pressure. You’ll likely hear the air flowing in until the pressure reaches the ideal level and stops.

Your ears may feel blocked as the pressure inside the chamber increases. This feeling is much like the sensation you experience when flying or at high altitudes, such as on a mountain. You shouldn’t experience any other unpleasant side effects during hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Call Westside Pain Specialists today to learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and how it eases pain. You can also book an appointment by completing the online form.

We treat chronic fatigue, stem cell therapy, healing for sports injuries, and more. We also treat Achilles tendon tears, along with regenerative therapy.