About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric therapy from Progressive Medical Center is a painless procedure in which a person is exposed to increased pressure, allowing greater absorption of oxygen throughout body tissues. This increased pressure allows more oxygen to reach the cells within the body, contributing to the many healing and therapeutic benefits. The concept of hyperbaric oxygenation has been in existence as early as 1662 but has only gained recognition in conventional medicine over the past 40 years.
What is Mild Hyperbaric Therapy?
Mild Hyperbaric Therapy (mHBT) is a medical treatment that exposes a person inside an inflatable chamber to increased atmospheric pressure. Our mild hyperbaric chambers pressurize to the FDA approved 1.3 ATA, which can also be expressed as 4 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). These portable chambers operate at a lower pressure than the hospital grade hyperbaric chambers and are much safer to perform treatments, while providing the same medical benefits as higher pressurized chambers.
Why Does Hyperbaric Work?
A pressurized environment allows a greater amount of gas (in this case oxygen) to be dissolved into a liquid (in this case plasma). This is known as Henry’s Law of Physics. For instance, when a carbonated beverage is canned at the factory, a great amount of pressure is applied so that more carbon dioxide can be dissolved into the beverage, which causes carbonation. When the beverage is opened, the pressure is released, and the amount of carbonation decreases over time resulting in a “flat” beverage.
It is the same law that applies to hyperbaric therapy. Greater amounts of oxygen are absorbed into the plasma, synovial fluid, and cerebral fluid when the body is pressurized using a hyperbaric chamber. In addition to greater absorption, the oxygen is also allowed to access areas in the body that are difficult to reach without increased pressure.
In sports medicine, mild hyperbaric moves inflammation out of areas of injury or strain. Inflammation is then absorbed in areas of lesser concentration, allowing new blood flow to heal the injured or strained areas. Mild hyperbaric is safe enough to sleep in all night. Most athletes will do so before games.
