Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Treatment for Concussion, Migraine, Depression, Lyme and more

April 13, 2019

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or mHBOT is the medical use of oxygen in a pressurized environment at a level higher than 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA). Increased pressure allows for oxygen to dissolve and saturate more readily into our blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid and all liquids within our body (Henry's Law of Gases). This is independent of Red Blood Cells/Hemoglobin counts, so individuals with aberrancy in those areas will still maintain the same benefit. This yields a wide variety of physiological, biochemical and cellular effects. This noninvasive therapy is the most trusted way to increase oxygen levels to all organs of the body. Typical treatment lasts for 60-90 minutes, during which a patient lies down within a hyperbaric chamber and breathes normally. 

This non-invasive therapy is the easiest way for our body to uptake oxygen to tissues and organs that are not able to absorb enough oxygen. It is shown to increase penetration of oxygen 400% deeper into our tissues and organs in comparison with our typical blood supply. Other incredible features of this treatment is that it reduces inflammation, destroys bacteria and increases white blood cell/stem cell production. Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) creates substantial, expedited healing for many acute and chronic Injuries, acute and chronic Neurological conditions, Developmental Disorders (ADHD/Autism), Brain injury/Concussion, Autoimmune conditions, Lyme Disease, Migraines, Headaches, Post-surgical healing, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Wellness and more. Treatments are often 60-90 minutes and can be as few as 5-10 or as many as 40-80 for optimal results. Our suggested treatments are based upon researched data. Due to limited insurance coverage, our goal is to keep our price affordable for patients, which ranges from $40.00-$50.00 per 60 minute session, depending on your treatment recommendations. 

How do oxygen molecules get 400% deeper into your tissues as they do with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? They actually shrink under this pressure and can squeeze through constricted blood vessels, inflammed tissue, cross the blood brain barrier, enter lymph nodes, cerebrospinal fluid and musculoskeletal system. Essentially, oxygen is delivered into all of our tissues, including areas where circulation is diminished, which is an extremely important component of healing as oxygen is essential for the function and maintenance of every cell in our body, regardless of whether it's an organ, muscle or bone.

This is analagous to what you see in a can of soda as the CO2 particles are under pressure, and therefore decreases their sizes enough that they dissolve into the liquid. When you pop the can open, the pressure is released, the CO2 particles increase in size and you see the fizz. This is exctly what happens to your oxygen molecules as they decrease in size under pressure and dissolve into the blood plasma. This exponentially increases oxygen delivery through the body and makes it posssible for oxygen to enter inflamed tissue or tissue that is starving for oxygen (hypoxic) to support optimal cellular activity and healing. 

Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in the Electron Transport Chain, which is where all of the ATP is produced. This is known as aerobic respiration, or how our cells breath. Oxygen is essential to life, but it is how it affects the function of every cell in the human body that makes it necessary for healing, and ultiamtely life. Without oxygen, we can't make energy for our brain, organs or any tissue. The more oxygen we can deliver to our tissues, the healthier, energetic and mentally well we feel. It has a very high affinity for electrons (high electronegativity), making it a good electron acceptor and perfect in its role. In summary, Oxygen allows us to make ATP, which is the energy currency of our body, therby required by all cellular processes to function and therefore heal to support normal bodily and brain function, including organs, bones, joints, muscle, etc.

Brain Injury, concussion, migraines, stress, depression and other neurologicla conditions:

This beocmes really important when we are treating the brain as it requires energy, or ATP to heal. Individuals who have sustained a concussion or brain injury, suffering from migraines, headaches or experiencing neurological symptoms can especially benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our brain, specifically the autonomic nervous system, regulates where blood flow will be increased or decreased in response to metabolic demand. We often lose our ability to provide appropriate amounts of oxygen to the brain and various other structures of the body when the master system, our nervous system, is damaged. The brain requires oxygen, glucose and activation to maintain normal function and therefore by providing oxygen therough hyperbaric oxgyen therapy, we are able to create neuroplasticity, which is the strenghtening of healthy neurological pathways, patterns and signals, generating new interneural connections, providing a healthier brain. 

Off-label conditions that can benefit from mHBOT:

-Concusion/mild Traumatic Brain Injury           -Migraines               

-Post-surgical healing                                     -Depression        

-Dysautonomia                                               -Autoimmune disease                                  

-Pain                                                              -Neuropathy/Nerve Injury                              

-Lyme                                                             -Musculoskeletal injury                                    

-Crohn's/IBS                                                   -Burns/Wound Healing     

-Sport Injury/Athletic Recovery                         -Post concussion syndrome    

-ADHD Spectrum/Learning disabilities               -Autism