What is hyperbaric therapy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT or HBO) is a painless procedure in which a person is exposed to increased pressure, thus allowing greater absorption of oxygen throughout body tissues.  This increased pressure allows more oxygen to reach the cells within the body therefore contributing to the many healing and therapeutic benefits. 

How Does Hyperbaric Help in Healing?

Humans can live without oxygen for approximately 5 minutes.  Oxygen is essential to our existence, as evidenced in the numerous conditions caused by oxygen deficiencies in our bodies.  This lack of oxygen results in a dysfunction of organ systems, causing numerous chronic health conditions.  When utilizing HBOT, oxygen is forced into the tissues, organs, brain and fluids throughout the body through the pressurization of the hyperbaric chamber.

 Oxygen floods areas that are oxygen starved to stimulate cell growth and regeneration.

 Hyperbaric oxygen increases neural brain function due to oxygen saturation.

 Oxygen displaces toxins and other impurities to assist in detoxification of your system.

Hyperbaric oxygen acts as an anti-viral and anti-bacterial, as bacteria and viruses typically cannot tolerate oxygen.

Oxygen reduces tumor growth in cancer patients.

Hyperbaric serves as an immune modulator, supporting the immune system to bring T and B cells within normal levels.

Hyperbaric oxygen has also recently been show to increase stem cell mobilization, thus helping the body to rebuild healthy tissue.e currently creating content for this section. 

Brain SPECT scans

Monitoring of cerebral blood flow can be done with a Brain SPECT (Single Photo Emission Computed Tomography) scan.

SPECT scans before and after mild HBOT sessions have shown dramatic improvements in cerebral blood flow that is sustained over time.

The above picture (taken from Rapid Recovery Hyperbarics) show the SPECT scans of a 17-year-old autistic individual before HBOT. The picture below shows his SPECT scan after 50 sessions, done between several times a day and once weekly. The improvement in blood supply continued to be evident one year after HBOT. The patient also showed improvements in social skills and grades, and a reduction in seizures, after Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments.

Three recent small studies conducted independently at three different centres showed significant improvement in behavior ratings scales with mild hyperbaric therapy. Improvements were reported in the areas of:Cognitive ability Socialization Sleep Calmness Decrease in stimming (self-stimulating behavior) Language

These improvements seem to correlate with the improved cerebral blood flow that has already been documented. Larger studies and more ongoing research may be needed before the results can be conclusive, but the initial findings are very promising.

HBOT and immunity / intestinal health

In addition to impacting cerebral blood flow in injured brains, mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to positively impact natural killer cell function. Thus, it enhances immune function.

HBOT has also been found to reduce inflammatory conditions and has facilitated improvement in gut disease such as Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis.

All microorganisms that infect the human body depend on creating or enhancing an oxygen-deprived environment in the body to enhance their survival – this includes viruses, bacteria, yeast, and parasites. These microorganisms are associated with worsening the symptoms of autism.

Glutathione

Studies have also shown HBOT to increase glutathione levels by 15 percent for at least 24 hours after therapy.

Glutathione is vital to the detoxification and excretion of heavy metals such as mercury. Heavy metal poisoning is strongly linked to autism and people with less active glutathione are not able to eliminate heavy metals as quickly and effectively.

These areas are all of interest in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as they are often impaired in children with ASD.

Treatment with mild HBOT

Most patients report improvement during the first 10 to 20 sessions of HBOT. However, it may take 40 to 100 sessions in total to experience the full benefit.

Hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments are completely compatible with all other DAN!-based treatments, including chelation. It may even enhance the effectiveness of heavy metal detoxification and other treatments.

An adult is required to accompany all children in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber.  Some parents have had some initial anxiety about being in an enclosed space.   We have found that within a few dives this disappears and few people actually suffer from real claustrophobia.

The chamber is large enough for an adult to sit up, and long enough to lie down comfortably. One can lie down and take a nap, or sit up and read a book or listen to music – whatever you like.

Children and / or adults can use electronic equipment such as a Game Boy, CD player, DVD player, lap-top computer, cell phone, etc. – anything that is battery operated.

Children are allowed to drink water, as long as care is taken not to spill. This helps them adjust to the pressure felt in the ears, just as in an airplane.

The mild increase in air pressure in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber – a maximum of about 4 psi, (pounds per square inch) or 1.3 ATA, is the equivalent of diving to a depth of about 3 metres of water.

The initial ‘dives’ are very closing monitored so that the pressurisation and depressurisation are prolonged to minimise ear discomfort.

Although there is an attendant during the 50 to 60 minutes of treatment, parents are taught how to safely let themselves out of the chamber from the inside. This level of self-control helps to make people less anxious.

For the children, it normally takes three to four sessions before they get used to the pressure. After that, they feel so good that they want to jump in immediately. Fathers and mothers may also wish to take turns to go in, as hyperbaric oxygen therapy has many benefits that can help your health as well.

The biggest deterrents to using this amazing treatment has been; time, cost, and not having a facility close by.

Now you can rent a hyperbaric chamber and receive these much needed treatments in the convenience of your home. This is the most affordable way to bring you the healing power of hyperbaric therapy.

With a portable hyperbaric chamber in your home you will get double the number of treatments you might be able to schedule at your doctor’s office.  More treatment sessions means more likelihood your childs symptoms will improve faster.  Plus you will save both time and money.

The Vitaeris is the chamber of choice for many families and individuals who are uncomfortable in the smaller chambers.

The Vitaeris is 33.5" tall. This lets an adult prop up with a pillow at a comfortable angle...and leaves lots of room for a child to play in the "spaceship" during treatments.

This chamber comes with 2 compressors. This gives more airflow and makes it a bit cooler inside than the smaller chambers. This is more comfortable for some people.  Oxyhealth chambers are the originals used and trusted by more DAN doctor's worldwide than any other. These are FDA approved, medical grade quality.

A 4 week rental runs $2,000 and includes delivery, set-up , instruction and pick-up. (In the Las Vegas area)  For those outside Las Vegas the pricing is the same and includes shipping both ways and an instructional video on set-up and operation.

How does this save you money?

Most centers charge $100 per mild hyperbaric session.  With the chamber in your home you can do 2 sessions per day x 6 days per week = 48 sessions in 4 weeks.  This saves you $2,800. 

Is it difficult set-up and use?

Definitely not - these chambers are very easy to set up.  Oxyhealth is the only chamber with the patented double zipper system.  To get in or out you zip the outer and inner shell - simple and easy.  It comes with completevideo instruction and I will be available by phone if you need help with anything.

Dr. Waldron is also available for consultations for any other testing or treatments you are considering.  See our 'New Patients' page for more information.