Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used to treat patients by placing them in a hyperbaric chamber to create a pressurized environment. The air pressure inside is higher than normal, allowing the lungs to gather more oxygen than at sea level. This increased pressure is the key factor that differentiates this therapy from simple oxygen administration.
Boost Oxygen Delivery
The primary function of this therapy is to dramatically increase the amount of oxygen your blood can carry throughout the circulatory system. When a patient enters a hyperbaric chamber, the increased atmospheric pressure causes oxygen to dissolve directly into the plasma, lymph, and cerebrospinal fluid. This process saturates the body’s fluids and makes sure that oxygen-rich blood reaches areas where circulation might be diminished or blocked by injury. Traditional breathing only saturates red blood cells, but this method skips that limitation entirely.
Support Tissue Repair
Injured tissue needs a substantial supply of oxygen to survive and regenerate, and hyperbaric therapy helps meet this demand by stimulating the release of growth factors. This process also encourages the mobilization of stem cells from the bone marrow. Because the body’s tissues become saturated with oxygen during a session, the natural repair mechanisms can operate more efficiently.
This increase in oxygen also helps produce collagen, allowing for the formation of new skin and blood vessels. Hyperbaric therapy provides the components the body needs to build its basic building blocks, which are beneficial for healing. This guarantees that the body’s tissues get everything they need to heal properly.
Reduce Inflammation Naturally
Although inflammation is a natural response to injury or surgery, excessive swelling can impact the body’s healing process. Hyperbaric therapy helps manage inflammation naturally without depending entirely on pharmaceutical interventions or invasive procedures. It does this by:
- Constricting blood vessels: This helps reduce swelling.
- Delivering high levels of oxygen: Even with constricted vessels, tissues receive ample oxygen to support healing.
- Controlling the inflammatory response: This dual action helps the body move more quickly into the remodeling phase of healing.
Aid Recovery Processes
These therapies support recovery from physical stressors, sports injuries, or medical procedures. While the body works to repair itself after trauma, it often faces limitations due to localized oxygen availability in damaged areas. The therapy improves the immune system’s ability to fight infection and helps the body clear harmful bacteria. White blood cells require oxygen to destroy invaders, and hyperbaric environments provide the fuel they need to perform this task.
Promote Cellular Function
Cellular energy production depends heavily on the presence of enough oxygen within the tissue. Mitochondria within cells use oxygen to produce ATP, the energy medium that powers all cellular functions. Oxygen levels are optimized during treatment, enabling cells to perform their designated tasks at a higher level. This boost in cellular metabolism helps maintain tissue viability even when blood flow is compromised.
Explore Hyperbaric Chamber Benefits
There are many reasons an individual might consider this type of therapy for their long-term health. Assessing personal needs can help determine if a hyperbaric chamber aligns with specific wellness goals. For more information about how this technology works or to find out if it’s the right fit, get in touch with a provider to schedule a consultation.
