A New You: Healing with Oxygen

By Roberta A. Ekholm

The New Year often brings a level of vigor and determination that we don't see all the time, and for that reason, I want to let you know about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT because I have seen with my own eyes how it truly does improve patient outcomes. If you are looking for a treatment option this year that assists with a non-healing wound, late radiation effects, chronic infections or brain injuries then listen up.

HBOT involves a patient sitting up or lying down in a specialized Hyperbaric Chamber that is gently pressurized with medical grade oxygen. When a gas like Oxygen is pressurized, it shrinks and dissolves into the blood stream, allowing for super saturation of fluids, tissues, organs and bone. Perhaps you remember the importance of oxygen: You can survive weeks without food, days without water, but only minutes without precious oxygen.

The number of sessions as well as the length and required depth achieved by each session is based on the condition being treated and is treated by the use of nationally accepted protocols of hyperbaric medicine. Let me share with you 4 reasons why I stand behind this therapy as an Orthopedic physician and surgeon:

1) The Technology is unrivaled
The science of HBOT has been around for over 300 years now, and the therapy has been honed with great success, though without most of the general public's knowledge. The fact is, hard-sided steel and acrylic hyperbaric chambers can safely and comfortably deliver up to 20 times the normal amount of oxygen to our tissues, which creates an energizing environment in our bodies which I will explain in a moment. I do suggest you clarify that the facility you are looking into is a true medical clinic with certified hyperbaric technologists and medical equipment. This information refers to true medical HBOT and not treatment involving collapsible or inflatable 'soft,' 'mild' hyperbaric chambers.

2) Science proves that it works
When we are sick or injured, our oxygen levels may be lower than our bodies require for effective healing. Do you know someone who has a chronic condition or a non-healing situation and who has tried everything but without success? It's possible they are at a standstill due to their low oxygen levels! HBOT saturates tissues and nourishes cells in the body to such a degree that ATP or energy is created at incredible levels in the cells—that means a jump-start to healing! New blood vessels begin branching out in our body, carrying the healing oxygen further and further into problem areas of low oxygen including our tissues, organs and bone. As a result of this HBOT-specific effect, inflammation and swelling can be reduced, infections and bacteria are cleared out of the blood stream and collagen production is increased. This is not a miracle, nor is it mysterious. Science proves that these benefits can be achieved due in part to the pressure and oxygen, and we have the case studies and experiences to prove that it actually works. For instance, a study published in 2006 in the American Journal of Physiology—Heart and Circulation showed that HBOT increases the creation of stem cells eightfold in the body. It's a natural way of increasing your body's own healing modalities.

3) Insurance companies & medical agencies agree
The sigh of relief I observe from patients who find that their HBOT treatment is completely covered by their insurance is very gratifying. The list of coverable conditions includes embolisms, non-healing wounds, post radiation damage, thermal burns, certain infections of tissue and bone and various poisonings to name a few. The FDA and medical agencies and universities recognize HBOT for a vast number of conditions and injuries, because they recognize the dramatic effect that pressurized oxygen can produce. Don't fret too much if you find your condition isn't covered, however. Facilities like our Hope For Healing Institute in Larkspur have heavily discounted treatment rates and even have a sliding scale set up to be able to treat the many patients who need treatment.

4) It changes lives every single day
To say I have seen HBOT change lives is only part of the truth. I have heard a young girl with developmental disabilities speak longer and more precise sentences after her treatment. That brought tears to her parent's eyes. I have felt the grasp of wheelchair-bound stroke patient tighten proudly around my wrist as he gained more and more strength. I have laughed with and encouraged a woman with a non-healing wound that grew steadily more shallow so that her once exposed fibula was healing at a rate that finally brought her peace of mind and the ability to laugh freely again. And yes, I have seen a lot of changes in the patients referred to HBOT, including men and woman just like YOU who had tried everything else before finally discovering HBOT. This year, say YES to true healing. We're cheering you on!

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