Over the last couple of years Medium Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (medium HBOT) has become more accessible to the public and is no longer a treatment option just used by specialized medical personnel or sportspeople.
We visited one of these treatment facilities to find out a bit more about HBOT.
Oxygenate at Rivonia Medical, Sports and Therapy Centre. www.oxygenate.co.za, 086 099 5288.
What is Medium Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (medium HBOT):
It 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.
The benefits:
Increased oxygen accelerates bone, skin, and muscle regeneration, helps the body fight infections more effectively, and has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates the healing process, strengthens and normalizes the immune system, and allows body functions to improve.
Oxygen Saturation
Increased Oxygen availability (90%) and increased pressure (1,4 ATA) results in an Oxygen saturation 800% higher than breathing normal air and normal pressure.
Cerebral Blood flow
Greater Oxygen availability in the brain contributes to reduced inflammation and leads to a greater Oxygen absorption at cellular level, improving treatment and rehabilitation for patients who have suffered from strokes, brain paralysis, autism spectrum disorders and neurological diseases.
Stem Cell Synthesis
Hyperoxia stimulates differentiation and release of stem cells, contributing to tissue repair process and formation of new blood vessels.
Collagen Synthesis
Hyperoxia stimulates collagen synthesis and fibroblasts proliferation, which are the cells that produce collagen, the key substance for wound healing and tissue repair process.
Improved Immunity
White blood cells use free radicals as an anti-bacterial mechanism. Oxygen improves this mechanism.
Treatments
Muscle, tendon & bone injuries
Muscles receive a lot of blood flow and benefit greatly from oxygen therapy used to treat injuries. Tendons and bone benefit from an increase in blood flow and collagen production through oxygen therapy. This aids in removing metabolites and increasing nutrient delivery.
Headaches
Headaches tend to come and go, but constant pain is never something to live with. Studies show that headaches are caused by increases in normal blood flow to certain brain areas. Oxygen therapy increases the oxygen count in the brain and reduces the cerebral blood flow back to normal, more comfortable levels. This increase in oxygen levels often leads to relief from headaches.
Insomnia
Insomnia can be one of the most frustrating conditions to shake off. Oxygen therapy has been found in studies to relax the mind and body, putting it in a better state to fall asleep and benefit from deeper sleep. Our chamber serves as a great place to receive higher levels of Oxygen and to sleep at the same time.
Fatigue
Over worked and under rested is commonplace in today’s world. Studies show that Oxygen the
rapy improves energy levels and aids in achieving deeper sleep. This is important to those suffering from feelings of fatigue. By being able to rest more and improve our body’s energy producing systems, fatigue can be overcome.
Parkinson’s
Those suffering from Parkinson’s have found that oxygen therapy made a notable difference in tremors and improved general wellbeing. Parkinson’s is caused by damage to a certain part of the brain. Higher levels of oxygen lead to regeneration of these damaged neurons.
Sleep apnea
The narrowing of the airway reduces air and oxygen to the body and leads to a lower oxygen level. Oxygen therapy leads to an increase in oxygen saturation in the body, possibly giving back what the body needs.
Arthritis
Studies have found relief from the main symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome using oxygen therapy. Some of these include weakness, muscle and joint pain, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, indigestion and impaired brain function.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
One of the biggest aids of oxygen therapy is the increase of circulation. Those suffering from circulatory disorders experience different side effects of reduced blood flow to key areas. By increasing circulation, these side effects of poor circulation are managed.
Chronic Pain
Oxygen therapy has been found to reduce pain in numerous studies. Breaking the pain cycle can be achieved through various treatments and oxygen therapy has been found to offer a role in the list of therapies available.
Burns
Patients with burn wounds may experience an increased difficulty of avoiding infection. The burnt tissue will receive less nutrients due to blood vessel trauma. Oxygen therapy has been shown to increase circulation and aid in speeding up the healing process.
Post-Surgery
Oxygen therapy has been shown to aid in post-surgery recovery. An increase in circulation, collagen production and immune system strengthening aids in faster recovery.
Wounds
Wounds of any kind need time and energy from the body to recover and heal. Oxygen therapy aids the body in recovering from wounds faster than at normal levels.
To book your treatment and get more information contact Oxygenate.
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“When I visited the Oxygenate medium Hyperbaric chamber for the first time, I had a 4cm rounded wound in my right foot. During the first 3 sessions, I could see my wound changing colours and starting to heal. After the 11th session the wound had completely healed. Thank you for helping me.”
James, Sandton
“My name is Martin, I’m an architect and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 55. The tremors had become worse and worse until I discovered Oxygenate.
Unfortunately, Parkinson’s is not curable, but it makes my tremors decrease or even disappear for weeks, allowing me to live a normal life. It is important to advertise the benefits of this therapy, since it is not very widespread. Personally, it changed my life”
Martin, Midrand
“Every athlete needs to keep reinventing himself to stay at the top, in my case it was really making sure that my body could perform at it it’s highest.
Oxygenate medium Hyperbaric therapy has really assisted in developing my body into the machine it needs to be through optimal recovery.”
Garreth “Soldierboy” McLellen, Douglasdale
“Went for medium Hyperbaric oxygen therapy 8 weeks post neck fusion. After just one session I felt better, pain and discomfort were less, had more energy en slept like a baby. Will most definitely go again.”
Pieter, Fourways.