During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is also known as HBOT, patients breathe purified air containing higher levels of oxygen in a pressurised environment. Treatment sessions can last anywhere from 45 minutes to 300 minutes and while results can be felt after just one session, many patients will benefit from multiple sessions over a period of time.
This therapy was first used in the early 20th century in the United States and increased in popularity during the 1940s when increasing numbers of deep-sea divers were experiencing decompression sickness.
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
Healthy tissues in the human body require oxygen to function properly, however, tissues need additional oxygen to maintain their function when they have sustained damage. As patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy are in an environment with higher than normal air pressure levels, their lungs can breathe in significantly more purified oxygen, which can promote healing and support recovery from a variety of illnesses and diseases.
This type of therapy can also minimise swelling, promote the production of new skin cells and collagen, and effectively disable bacterial toxins to prevent them from causing any additional damage to the body’s tissues. There are numerous processes involved with keeping the body healthy and free from illness, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy plays a key role in supporting many of these processes.
What can hyperbaric oxygen therapy be used to treat?
In addition to being an effective treatment for scuba divers experiencing decompression sickness, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a range of therapeutic benefits, including supporting cell rejuvenation, speeding up the wound healing process, and reducing fatigue.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used by medical professionals in a variety of different situations, including treating patients who are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, skin infections, burns, sudden vision loss, and anaemia. This type of therapy can also help to support the healing process in patients who have recently undergone surgery.
Is there a connection between hyperbaric oxygen therapy and an improved sense of well-being?
When the tissues in the body are receiving sufficient oxygen to heal, survive and thrive, cells are able to recover efficiently and optimise their functionality which, in turn, can have a positive impact on a patient’s energy levels and overall sense of well-being. As this type of therapy supports the natural body’s natural healing processes, it can help to increase immunity levels, boost resistance to disease, and support the overall health of connective tissues and joints, which minimises susceptibility to further injury.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has also been shown to help improve mood, minimise feelings of stress, and support higher quality sleep. This can have numerous benefits in patients’ recovery and convalescence, boosting their energy levels throughout the day and keeping feelings of fatigue at bay.