We can live without food for a month, without water for a week , but we can only survive a few minutes without oxygen. Oxygen is the basis of life. It can mean the difference between life and death, paralysis and movement, illness and health. – Dr. Richard Neubauer
Oxygen inhalation treatments are non-invasive and painless, and side effects are rare and minimal. Fewer than 5% report slight discomfort from ear pressure, similar to that experienced during air travel. During treatment, the patient can rest comfortably, listen to music, or watch television.
There is no recovery period with HBOT, so patients can resume their daily activities almost immediately. As overnight stays are not required, all treatment is on an outpatient basis.
If you are coming from out of town and wish to stay nearby, there are several affordable hotels in the area.
If you are looking for mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you’ve come to the right place. We are a private and personal facility committed to providing patients with exceptional care and individual attention. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is the cutting edge therapy and the latest addition to Dr. Hannifin’s practice, Back In Balance Chiropractic.
Our Hyperbaric chamber is a Quamvis™ 320. As the name “Quamvis” implies, this mighty chamber is the best and largest in the fleet of Mild Hyperbaric Chambers and boasts a roomy 33” inflated diameter and 93″ length that can easily accommodate even the tallest patients. It can also comfortably seat two people like a parent and a child, should the need arise. Patients are able to move about in the chamber and can even sit up. Claustrophobia is a thing of the past in the Quamvis™ 320.
What is Mild Hyperbaric Therapy?
1. Mild Hyperbaric Therapy (mHBT) is a medical treatment in which a person is exposed to increased atmospheric pressure inside an inflatable chamber. The typical pressure reaches between 1.1 and 1.5 atmospheres, which can also be expressed as 3 to 6 pounds per square inch. The increase in pressure allows more oxygen to reach the cells of the body which has many healing and therapeutic benefits.
2. mHBT utilizes filtered pressurized ambient air to dissolve oxygen directly into the plasma, cerebral and spinal fluids, flooding tissues and vital organs with oxygen.
3. Mild Hyperbaric Therapy allows for healing at the cellular level, which is critical for changes to be made which in turn affect healthy tissue formation, making it possible for healthier organs and ultimately a healthier body overall.
Is it safe?
1. YES! The hyperbaric chamber uses filtered ambient air, so there is no risk of oxygen toxicity to the body even with regular use.
2. The chamber can be depressurized and opened from the inside.
3. Once inside the chamber, both visual and verbal communication is possible with the outside, and there is also a buzzer for help.
4. Most people report a comfortable, relaxing experience and emerge from the chamber feeling refreshed.
5. This therapy is non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical, and there are no dangerous side effects reported.
How Does It Work?
The mild hyperbaric chamber is filled with compressed ambient air from 2 to 6 pounds per square inch. (1.5 ATA max)
The increased pressure allows the blood plasma and other liquids of the body to absorb additional oxygen thus greatly increasing oxygen uptake by the cells, tissues, glands, organs, brain, and fluids of the body.
The resulting uptake of oxygen allows for increased circulation to areas with swelling or inflammation. At the same time, the increased pressure decreases swelling and inflammation.
Oxygen is then utilized by the body for vital cell functions, healthier cells equals healthier tissues, and organs.
The human body is capable of healing itself when it has what it needs. There is NOTHING the human body needs more than OXYGEN.
Why does it work?
Henry’s Law of Physics:
An increase in atmospheric pressure allows for more gas to be dissolved into any given liquid.
Oxygen, the 8th element on the Periodic Table, exists as a gas at room temperature.
The human body is composed almost completely of water.
Gas … under pressure … dissolves in water
Are there any side effects?
No dangerous side effects have been reported with Mild Hyperbaric Therapy. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for your first session in a chamber:
1. Some people experience a mild discomfort to the ears when pressurizing the chamber, not unlike during the ascending part of an airplane ride.
2. Some people following their first few sessions experience slight fatigue as the body sweeps itself clear of toxic debris that has built up in the body. This is safe and necessary.
3. It is advisable that you wear comfortable, loose clothing. (Pantyhose and other tight garments may contribute to feelings of claustrophobia.) Bring something to read, as the sessions last about 60 minutes. Do not drink large amounts of fluids before entering the chamber.
4. Do not wear perfume or cologne when you are coming for your session.
What can I expect to happen during my session?
The chamber will seem smaller when deflated than it is when fully pressurized. Within one minute the chamber will inflate completely, allowing enough room for an adult to sit upright or lie fully extended.
After the chamber inflates, it will begin to pressurize. This is the time when you may experience pressure in your ears. The easiest way to relieve any discomfort this may cause is to equalize your ears using one or more of the following methods:
1. Close your mouth and firmly clamp your nose shut with your fingers and thumb. Blow gently, as if you were blowing your nose, but keep nose and mouth closed. You will have the feeling of air come out through your ears when you have done this procedure correctly, and this should relieve the pressure.
2. Yawn. Stretching your mouth as wide as possible, even stretching your tongue out. This will cause the sinus passages surrounding your ears to drain and relieve the pressure.
3. If you are the parent of a small child who is having trouble with their ears during pressurization, try massaging the area just below the ears and right behind the jaw. A baby who still uses a bottle or pacifier should be given either of these, but if your child is likely to spill drinks in the chamber please try to monitor them with liquids.
4. Children who do not understand or obey commands can clear their ears by chewing. Gummi Bears, fruit leathers, or similar chewy foods will help their ears to clear naturally.
5. Sit upright. Turn your head completely to the right, then completely to the left. Repeat earlier steps until the ears are cleared.
How long does a session last?
The sessions last around 60 minutes.
Are there any reasons a person should NOT go into the chamber?
Yes. You should NOT go into the chamber if you have been drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs, if you have ear canal problems or an ear infection, or if you are experiencing flu or cold symptoms. Also please do not enter the chamber wearing perfume or cologne. We do have individuals who are sensitive to chemicals that might enter the chamber after you.
A history of pneumothorax or the use certain medications may preclude you from using this therapy.
How frequently should I schedule my sessions?
We will make a recommendation for you based on your needs after an initial evaluation.
How much do sessions cost?
Sessions vary in cost according to the package purchased.
Special rates may apply.
What is Hyperbaric Therapy?
Hyperbaric Therapy, also known as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, HBO or HBOT, is a specialized therapy that uses an increase in atmospheric pressure to allow the body to incorporate more oxygen into blood cells, blood plasma, cerebral-spinal fluid, and other body fluids.
At sea level the atmospheric pressure is 1ATA (14.7 psi or pounds per square inch), which allows the lungs to absorb a normal amount of oxygen from the air. At higher altitudes, the pressure drops and the lungs are not able to absorb as much oxygen from the air. This is why oxygen masks drop in an airplane at high altitudes – to increase the oxygen content due to the lack of pressure. The exact opposite happens at lower altitudes (below sea level). There, the pressure is greater (above 1ATA) and now the lungs can more easily absorb the oxygen, and at a greater volume.
Consider this analogy:
A bottle of soda-pop is a pressurized vessel. In the bottle there is liquid. There is also ‘carbonation’ (the gas) and pressure. When the bottle is sealed, bubbles are not seen. The moment the cap is twisted and the seal is broken, there is a ‘swish’ and the pressure is released from the bottle. Now, all of a sudden there is a formation of bubbles in the bottle, and as time goes, they grow and float to the top of the liquid. Certainly the pressure in the bottle is quite high and the nature of the gas (carbonation) is a different than the 21% oxygen in the ambient air. However the concept is the same. In the hyperbaric chamber, as the pressure goes up, more oxygen from the air is ‘pushed’ into the fluids of the body.
The healing process occurs when a severely compromised tissue in the body begins to receive oxygen, and blood circulation to the tissue resumes. Note: The damaged tissue may not have been receiving enough blood for it to heal, due to a lack of blood circulation caused by the initial trauma.
Here lies the healing magic of Hyperbaric Oxygenation.
Inside the pressurized chamber, the story unfolds. The injury site now begins to receive a healing dose of oxygen through the surrounding body fluids and plasma—even if the blood supply to the tissues is compromised.
Furthermore, to boost the oxygen concentration in oxygen chambers, supplemental oxygen may be added into hyperbaric chambers during treatment. Doctors and therapists commonly use enriched oxygen or an oxygen concentrator, also called an oxygen generator to help supplement the oxygen. As explained before, this oxygen will become infused into the numerous types of liquids in the body—blood, plasma, cerebral fluids.
And like the soda-pop in our analogy, the oxygen uptake will remain in the body for a time after treatment.
The Gas Laws of Physics state that more gas is dissolved in a liquid by increasing the pressure of the gas.
Note: Breathing pure oxygen at 2 Atmospheres, gives 10 times the regular amount of oxygen (2 x 100% vs. 21%). In one hour, humans can inhale 2.4 pounds of oxygen! (Normal atmospheric pressure 1 ATA allows 6 pounds/day). Red blood cells instantly fill with oxygen and the extra oxygen dissolves directly into the blood fluid. In a few minutes, this extra oxygen builds up tissue oxygen levels far above normal.
The Principle of HBO is simple. Increase the atmospheric pressure and get a directly proportional increase in available oxygen. In other words, a twofold increase in pressure equals twice the available oxygen molecules to breathe.
How long the treatments last depends on the doctor’s particular protocol for that individual. Every person and every condition is unique. Hyperbaric treatments may require a one-hour or two-hour session. A treatment program may require 3 treatments a week for several weeks or more.
Types of hyperbaric chambers.
There are many different manufacturers and designs of HBO chambers–monoplace, multiplace, and portable. The treating physician’s protocol will dictate which type of chamber should be used.
Uses of HBOT
There is much more information and research available on this remarkable subject. The New England Journal of Medicine has much documentation on the use of HBOT for the treatment of such indications as multiple sclerosis, acute carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, air embolism, diabetic foot wounds, infections, burns, ulcers and edema. This is but scratching the surface of the many uses of hyperbaric technology. Be sure to visit the International Hyperbarics Association website “Resources” page http://www.ihausa.org/resources/resources.html to learn about the International Indications for hyperbaric medicine .
Contraindications
The following are conditions that may impede hyperbaric oxygen. Please inform us if any of these apply to you before beginning HBOT. This is to ensure your safety and the optimal success of your therapy. Please request your medical records so they may be reviewed at your Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy consultation.
Thank you.
Doxorubicin (Adrianmycin) is cleared from the body in three days, it is best to wait three days before starting HBOT.
Bleomycin: Pre treatment pulmonary function testing with carbon monoxide diffusion capacity
Cis-platinum: a chemotherapy agent
Patent Foramen Ovale:
Insulin:
Please inform us of diabetic or hypoglycemic clients.
• Reduction in insulin may be required during HBOT. Monitoring is required.
• Hypoglycemic clients will require blood monitoring and proper diet.
Disulfiram (Antabuse) Known to block S.O.D., No known effects in been reported in clients whom were treated with HBOT for CO poisoning.
Emphysema with CO2 Retention (COPD)
Pregnancy (emergency only)
High Fevers (uncontrolled)
Ear Barotrauma
Difficulty in clearing the ears causes “popping” and can cause pain. Middle ear barotrauma is the most common side effect of HBOT therapy. It is prevented in most clients by teaching the auto inflation maneuver or by use of tympanotomy tubes for those who cannot auto inflates. This rarely is a problem.
Sinus Pain, Upper Respiratory Infections and Chronic Sinusitis
Sinus squeeze is seen less frequently than middle ear barotraumas Antihistamines, decongestants, and/or nasal spray may be given. Temporary the treatment could be postponed. With slow compression and decompression usually there are no problems.
Myopia and Cataract
Myopia is a reversible complication of repeated exposure to HBOT. Even when progressive myopia does occur during a series of HBOT therapies, after treatment the visual acuity changes reverse completely. Acceleration of growth in existing cataracts is a complication of chronic long-term exposure at pressures over 2 ATA. Published reports as well as extensive clinical experience indicate that new cataracts do not develop with in the series of 30 to 50 therapies that are commonly used in the USA.
Pulmonary
Pulmonary and neurological manifestations of oxygen poisoning are often cited as major concerns with HBOT. Oxygen tolerance limits that avoid these manifestations are well defined for continuous exposures in normal people. Pulmonary symptoms are not produced by daily exposures to oxygen at 2.0 or 2.4 ATA for 2.0 or 1.5 hours respectively. The incidence of oxygen convulsions when using similar exposures is about 1 per 10,000 patient therapies. Even when oxygen convulsions do occur, there are no residual effects if mechanical trauma can be avoided. Pulmonary barotrauma during decompression may rarely occur. Patients with airway obstruction have an increased risk for pulmonary barotrauma during decompression. Patients must be cautioned against breath holding during decompression.
Pulmonary Barotrauma
Untreated Pneumothorax
The only absolute contraindication for HBOT is untreated pneumothorax.
Surgical relief of the pneumothorax before HBOT session, if possible removes the obstacle to treatment.
Chest x-ray may be necessary to rule out pneumothorax, if patient’s medical history includes:
• History of spontaneous pneumothorax
• History of thoracic surgery
• History of chest injury
Pneumothorax is a complication, which can be caused by breath holding during decompression.
Oxygen Seizures
Incidence of seizures is reported in 0.01% of 28,700 treatments and never has been reported at less than 2.0 ATA for less than one hour.
Reference; Davis (1989) reviewed 1505 clients who were treated between 1979 and 1987 and underwent 52,758 two-hour sessions. Oxygen Convulsions occurred in only five clients,(0.009%) all of whom fully recovered.
Claustrophobia
Claustrophobia, which appears to be present in about 2% of the general population, may cause some degree of confinement anxiety. However, our chambers are very large and not claustrophobic. RRH offers chambers that provide maximum comfort, particularly for anxious, claustrophobic, oversized, and pediatric clients.
Dental
All dental work, root canals, and fillings must be complete. (Dental baro-trauma is otherwise a possibility).
No temporary dental caps or unfinished root canals.
We would be happy to discuss this with you and your dentist.
Implanted Devices
All implanted devices must be able to undergo pressure. We will contact the manufacture of the device and obtain information.
Flying or Diving
No flying or diving is permitted within 24 hours of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
Conclusion:
Generally speaking, no serious complications are associated with moderate pressure Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, but some complications may be related to the primary disease treated. Safe, Productive, Gentle, and Private Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, is our goal for our clients.
References:
Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine, K.K. Jain, M.D., Vol. 1, 2, 3
Hyperbaric Medicine Practice, Eric Kindwall, M.D.
Care of the Patient Receiving Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy,
Manual of Patient Care Standards. 1988. Norkool, D.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Committee Report 1999. UHMS
Fitness to Dive. DAN (Divers Alert Network)
UHMS (Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine Society)
IHMA (International Hyperbaric Medicine Association)
IBUM (International Board of Undersea Medicine)
National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology