What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a treatment for a number of often serious conditions that involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The pressurization allows for greater oxygen absorption in the body and hyperoxygenates the blood plasma in ways other treatments cannot. As your blood carries the oxygen throughout your body, it helps fight bacteria and stimulates the release of growth factors and stem cells, which promote healing.
HBOT has been used successfully in medical settings for treating decompression sickness, serious infections, and wounds that haven’t healed. It also helps improve recovery for a wide range of conditions, from athletic injuries and Lyme disease to diabetic wounds and head trauma.
Delaware Hyperbarics combines the effectiveness of medical-grade technology with a spa’s comfort, care, and hospitality to offer more rapid recovery in a soothing environment.
What does HBOT treat?
- athletic recovery
- anti-aging
- autism
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- chronic pain
- concussion
- Lyme disease
- migraines
- mold exposure
- stroke
- sudden hearing loss
- surgical recovery
- wound healing
Ten Benefits of HBOT
Anti-inflammatory
There are certain chemicals in our bodies called cytokines; some of them are anti-inflammatory while others are inflammatory. Many chronic illnesses will show a higher body concentration of inflammatory cytokines. Studies show that HBOT can help balance and regulate inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokine production in our bodies, which lowers overall inflammation.
Vasoconstriction
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, particularly at a high pressure, can lead to vasoconstriction (the narrowing of blood vessels) without depriving the injured tissues of oxygen. Due to an increase in blood oxygen saturation from HBOT, vasoconstriction can help reduce swelling and edema in injured areas of the body.
Increases Stem Cell Release
Long-term use of HBOT can increase the release and mobilization of stem cells to roughly 8 times what our body is able to mobilize without HBOT. After 20+ hours of HBOT, our body begins a process of releasing stem cells both from bone marrow and our nervous system to heal, regenerate, or renew.
Mitochondrial Healing
Mitochondria produce the energy necessary for each cell to function properly, and play an important piece in both healing from and preventing chronic illness. The oxygen surplus from HBOT allows the mitochondria in our bodies to become larger and more efficient
Nerve Healing
Nerves require a huge amount of oxygen to function. When a nerve is damaged, there is normally damage to the circulation in the area as well. HBOT repairs microcirculation around damaged nerves by delivering more oxygen to the nerve and disposing waste as the nerve heals.
Antimicrobial
Our bodies carry more bacteria, living in and on us, than there are cells in our body. These bacteria affect our immune system, digestion, and gut-brain communication. Through increasing oxygen levels in the body, HBOT helps maintain the good microbes while killing the bad microbes.
Increases Perfusion
Perfusion is the circulation of blood throughout our bodies. By increasing the pressure and amount of oxygen around our bodies with HBOT, our capacity to circulate oxygen to our body/tissues increases, therefore allowing our body to absorb more oxygen.
White Blood Cell Function
White blood cells use oxygen as fuel to fight infections. When we increase blood oxygen levels in our body, we give our white blood cells more fuel to work with, and in turn a better ability to fight infections and heal.
Neovascularization
Neovascularization is the healing and rebuilding of our capillary (tiny blood vessel) network. Long-term HBOT can help our body rebuild new capillaries, allowing our body to oxygenate inflamed or injured areas even after hyperbaric sessions are complete.
Wound Healing
In the case of both chronic and acute wounds, HBOT raises the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood and tissues of our body, lowers the risk of infection, activates wound healing factors, and increases circulation of stem cells, all of which help the body heal and close a wound.
Dr. Stella, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Every single cell in our body needs oxygen to function, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the best tools for optimizing your health. It actually does more for the person’s overall wellness, and future wellness, then taking any kind of medication.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy FAQs
Is it comfortable inside?
Absolutely. We offer a spa-like setting inside the chamber. It is surprisingly roomy with plenty of windows, pillows and lighting.
How does it feel?
The initial experience is much like being in the first-class section of an airplane. As with take-off, you will need to clear your ears. Once you’ve reached pressure, i.e. “made your dive”, you should feel normal and can enjoy the relaxed time however you like.
Is clearing your ears hard to do?
For most people, clearing their ears isn’t an issue. In fact they barely notice the pressure changes after a few moments of light popping. The pressure is similar to taking off in an airplane, which might mean swallowing more frequently or chewing gum.
What do I do inside the chamber?
We welcome you to enjoy your time in the chamber however you like. For many people, that means a nap or meditation. For others, it’s a chance to read a book, listen to music or catch up on calls and emails. Remember, this is your time.
How do I communicate with the technician once I’m inside?
Walkie-talkies are in every chamber to communicate with your guide whenever you need.
How long will I be in the chamber?
We offer 60 minute and 90 minute sessions.
How many sessions do I need?
Everybody is different. If you have a more acute or chronic condition, you will need more sessions to get a cumulative effect.
How will I feel after a session?
You may feel slightly disoriented when you first come out of the chamber, as your body reaclimates to the lower oxygen levels in the air. This is a normal part of readjusting post-treatment. We provide comfortable seating for you to relax, freshen up with warm towels and replenish your body with vitamins and hydration before you go on with the rest of your day. You may find yourself feeling re-energized and most likely will sleep better that night. Results may very depending on your treatment goals and existing conditions.
I am healthy. Can I benefit from hyperbaric oxygen treatment?
Yes. It can improve energy, sleep, focus, tissue function, stem cell mobilization and immune health and more.
Can my child receive hyperbaric treatment?
Yes—hyperbaric sessions can be very beneficial for children 5 and over. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult in the chamber. Both the child and the adult will need prescriptions.
Can hyperbaric treatments be combined with other therapies?
Yes! As a matter of fact, adding myofasical release or an infrared sauna session will make your recovery even more powerful. We’re happy to make suggestions.
Related Scientific Studies
Wernick B, Nahirniak P, Stawicki SP. “Impaired Wound Healing.” StatPearls, National Institute of Health, Jan. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482254/.
Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 Jan. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394380.
Bhutani, Sourabh, and Guruswamy Vishwanath. “Hyperbaric oxygen and wound healing.” Indian journal of plastic surgery : official publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India, National Institute of Health, May-Aug 2012, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3495382/.
Staff, Cancer Research. “How Cells and Tissues Grow.” Cancer Research UK, Cancer Research UK, 1 July 2020, www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/how-cancer-starts/how-cells-and-tissues-grow.
Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 Jan. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394380.
Fuller, Ashley M, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning Protects Skin from UV-A Damage.” PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 3 Aug. 2012, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22855227/.
McRae, Mike. “In a First, Scientists Say They’ve Partially Reversed a Cellular Aging Process in Humans.” ScienceAlert, 20 Nov. 2020, www.sciencealert.com/oxygen-therapy-found-to-turn-back-the-sands-of-time-on-our-body-s-aging-cells.
Barata, Pedro, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Effects on Sports Injuries.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease, Apr. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3382683/.
Staff, IHAUSA. “Lyme Disease & Hyperbarics.” International Hyperbarics Association, International Hyperbarics Association, 2020, www.ihausa.org/lyme.html.
Chien-Yu Huang, Yen-Wen Chen, Tseng-Hui Kao, Yu-Chin Lee, Jui-Chun Cheng, Jia-Horng Wang. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an effective adjunctive treatment for chronic Lyme disease.” Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, May 2014, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1726490114.