What is Hbot?
What is HBOT?
HBOT is a painless, non-invasive medical therapy that enhances the body’s natural healing process by breathing in 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This saturates blood cells and tissues with 1,200% more oxygen than normal breathing, giving the body more fuel (oxygen) to work and recover. HBOT optimizes healing at the cellular level, making it a beneficial treatment for a wide variety of conditions and circumstances.
Hyperoxygenation
HBOT increases the amount of oxygen carried into the bloodstream, enabling more oxygen to dissolve deep into the body’s tissues, including the lymphatics and t cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This reverses hypoxia (areas of the body that are low in oxygen), helping to oxygenate the cells and tissues that are at risk of dying or that are in a non-functioning state.
Mitochondrial Support
HBOT allows mitochondria, the batteries of our cells, to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP stores and releases energy necessary for many cellular processes and is the main energy source for our bodies. When oxygen-carrying capacity is threatened, your body is in jeopardy of not creating enough ATP. HBOT allows 1200% more oxygen to enter your circulatory system directly into your plasma, helping to optimize cellular energy production.
Anti-Inflammation
HBOT downreguates inflammatory pathways and constricts blood vessels to allow less leakage of fluid, thus decreasing swelling. In the long term HBOT has epigenetic effects, turning off the genes responsible for inflammation. Inflammation is a key factor in why our bodies degrade with time.
Stem Cell Proliferation
HBOT can increase stem cells in circulation by eight-fold. These stem cells already exist in the body and have the unique ability to differentiate into any type of tissue, making them a valuable tool for regeneration and healing.
Neovascularization
HBOT stimulates growth of new blood vessels in the body, which increases circulation, allowing revitalized tissues to thrive even after the treatment protocol has been completed.
Antimicrobial Effect
HBOT improves the immune system by weakening infection-causing bacteria. It also increases the body’s natural antioxidants and free radical scavengers, which increases the ability to fight disease and infection. It can also synergize with certain antibiotics, improving their efficacy.
HBOT Benefits at the Cellular Level
Conditions (insurance covered)
- Non-healing wounds
- Bone & soft tissue infection
- Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Failed skin grafts & flaps
- Crush injuries
- Diabetic lower extremity wounds
- Radiation Tissue Damage
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
- Central retinal artery occlusion
- Necrotizing soft tissue infections
Conditions (extensively studied, not insurance covered)
- Athletic Recovery & Performance
- Post-Surgery Recovery
- Improved Cognitive Performance & Brain Rehab
- Anti-Aging & Longevity
- COVID-19 Long Haul
- Neurology
- Autoimmune Disease
- Orthopedics
Physics of Oxygen & Pressure
Mild Hyperbarics (soft chamber)
- Can be filled with oxygen, but that oxygen is barely pressurized (below 1.4 ATA)
- Only benefit is breathing in oxygen (but not 100%), which can be done more efficiently through a nasal cannula
True Hyperbarics (hard chamber)
- Pressure can be raised to the recommended 1.5 to 3 ATA
- 100% oxygen
- Optimize oxygen saturation
Normal Breathing
1 ATM (atmospheric pressure) x 760mmHg (pressure at sea level) x .21 (percentage of oxygen in air) = 157 mmHg of oxygen in cells
True Hyperbarics (hard chamber)
2 ATM (hard chamber pressure) x 760mmHg (pressure at sea level) x 1 (chamber delivers 100% oxygen) = 1,280 mmHg of oxygen in cells
HBOT Frequently Asked Questions
What is Treatment Like?
MDHyperbaric utilizes the FDA-approved Fortius 420, the largest chamber on the market (91in. long 42in. diameter). Patients simply breathe normally to deliver 100% oxygen to the body while relaxing, sleeping, or reading. A typical session lasts around 80 minutes.
Is HBOT Safe
HBOT is performed under medical supervision. Although there are minor risks, like all medical treatments, HBOT is extremely safe. The risks will be discussed with you before you sign your consent form for therapy.
What are the side effects?
The most common side effect is barotrauma to the ears and sinuses caused by the change in pressure. To minimize this risk, patients learn techniques to clear their ears during compression. Occasionally some patients may experience changes in their vision during their treatment period. These changes are usually minor and temporary. A rare side effect is oxygen toxicity, which is caused by administering too much oxygen. At MDHyperbaric, we follow treatment protocols to avoid any such issues.
How Should Patients Prepare For Treatment
Only clean, cotton clothing is allowed in the chamber. No cosmetics, perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants, wigs, or jewelry are allowed in the chamber. Patients should give up all tobacco and nicotine products, as they interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen.
What Information Does the Technician Need To Know Prior to Treatment
- If you have any cold or flu symptoms, fever, sinus or nasal congestion, or chest congestion
- If there is a possibility that you may be pregnant
- If there has been a change in any of your medications
- If you are diabetic and did not take your insulin prior to treatment
- If you have any concerns or anxiety regarding the chamber
How Are Patients Referred for Treatment?
Patients are accepted either by self referral or by physician referral. Patients are evaluated by our staff and treated based on their specific conditions.
