Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the therapeutic use of oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure.
This increased pressure, combined with an increase in oxygen up to 97 percent, dissolves oxygen in the blood plasma and in all body cells, tissues and fluids at up to 10-20 times normal concentration.
Physicians and scientists have used increased atmospheric pressure for medical therapy for hundreds of years. Though not new, HBOT has recently gained importance for treatment of chronic degenerative health problems related to atherosclerosis, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, diabetic ulcers, wound healing, cerebral palsy, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, and many other disorders. Wherever blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs is reduced, function and healing can be aided with HBOT. When the brain is injured by stroke, cerepral palsy, or trauma, HBOT may activate stunned parts of the brain to restore function.
Some of the benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy are :
– greatly increases oxygen concentration in all body tissues, even with reduced or blocked blood flow; – stimulates the growth of new blood vessels to locations with reduced circulation, improving blood flow to areas with arterial blockage; – causes a rebound arterial dilation, resulting in an increased blood vessel diameter greater than when therapy began, improving blood flow to compromised organs; – stimulates an adaptive increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the body's principal, internally produced antioxidants and free radical scavengers; and, – aids the treatment of infection by enhancing white blood cell action. Coast Oxygen Terrigal is excited to now be offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Sessions last one hour and involve lying comfortably within a pressurised chamber breathing 97% oxygen. The process is entirely safe, with the pressure being the equivalent of being up to 10meters underwater. Like taking off on a plane or scuba diving, there is some pressure on the ears at the beginning and end of each session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is the use of prescribed high pressure oxygen to treat a variety of health conditions and diseases. Breathing pure oxygen under pressures greater than sea level increases the amount of oxygen carried by the blood, enabling the oxygen to be dissolved into the hard-to-reach plasma, lymph, and cerebrospinal fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These fluids more easily carry the increased oxygen to affected and damaged areas at up to 1,200% the normal concentration, thus providing a greater opportunity for healing.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is an effective treatment for a variety of medical conditions either as a primary or adjunctive treatment. It is non-invasive with very few (and rare) potential side effects and has very few contraindications.
At the start of the treatment session, oxygen immediately begins to circulate and the pressure gradually increase. The patient will generally start to feel a fullness sensation in the ears, similar to ascending or descending in an airplane. This fullness should only last about 10-15 minutes and our experienced hyperbaric technician will guide the patient to relieve any ear pressure. Once treatment pressure is reached, patients relax and just breathe normally. Near the end of the treatment session, the hyperbaric technician will gradually decrease the pressure in the chamber, a process that lasts about 10 minutes. During this decompression stage, it is common for patients to experience a slight popping sensation in the ears as a result of the change in pressure.
HBOT is an all natural therapy with generally no, or temporary, side effects. However, mild irritation to the ear drum may occur in about 10% of patients. The technicians at HMS will be with you every step of the way to prevent this from occurring. Other side effects may include temporary vision changes, dizziness or lightheadedness. In very rare instances, oxygen toxicity may occur, however, risk of this is mitigated by our HBOT protocols and comprehensive patient screening process.
We recommend that patients avoid eating or drinking (specifically carbonated beverages) directly prior to treatment, unless medically required, to avoid the need to use the restroom or cause an upset stomach during the session. To maximize the benefit of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, smoking of any kind should be avoided during the course of a patient's complete treatment protocol. Smoking causes vasoconstriction and accumulation of carbon monoxide and other wastes, all which are counterproductive to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Lastly, alcohol consumption should be avoided at least 8 hours prior to treatment.
Set an INTENTION as to what you want to get out of your session.Then close your eyes and focus on your breath.
Breath, Relax or Meditate, dream, heal and repeat…
Read books or magazines.
The feedback we get from most people is that the 60-90 minutes they spend in the chamber goes very quickly as they drop into a deep state of relaxation or fall asleep.
"Where your Attention goes the Energy Flows"
Every Coast Oxygen patient is unique and evaluated according to their condition and their response to therapy, which determines the number of treatments needed. Generally, patients require 30-40 sessions, though this could be more or less depending on the patient's specific condition or circumstance. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy works cumulatively in the body and the greatest benefit is seen when treatments are regular (like going to the gym). Therefore, treatment sessions are typically scheduled 4-5 days a week.
There are a few contraindications to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy such as if you have an untreated pneumothorax, moderate to severe COPD, bullous lung disease, or are currently receiving certain chemotherapeutic agents. During the consultation with a member of our Team , each patient is evaluated to determine whether Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a safe and appropriate course of treatment.
Each of our facilities uses state-of-the-art monoplace hyperbaric chambers. These chambers are made of metal which differ from the soft or mild variety in that they deliver 95-97% oxygen through an oxygen mask and the chamber is filled with filtered ambient room air (with up to 30% oxygen), That means we are able to reach greater atmospheric pressure levels of 2 ATA (equivelant to 10 meters under water depth) This allows for the treatment of a wider variety of health conditions more efficiently and effectively.
PAUL'S REVIEW:
After recently going to the Emergency department of the local hospital for my extremely sore toe, I was told by the surgeon that my toe was dying and had to be surgically removed. I was in total shock after hearing this and told the surgeon I wanted to see if I could save it. He told me there was a slim chance but did not look good. After leaving hospital I thought was the hyperbaric chamber could be helpful in getting oxygen to my toe. After speaking with Chris, he agreed so I made my first appointment. After a few sessions in the chamber my toe started to improve which was quite a relief. After seeing an improvement, I was keen to keep the therapy going to make sure I did not have to get this toe amputated. I really believe that there is a major health benefit to the chamber and highly recommended it to anyone.
Recommended educational LINKS: https://chiroflexion-61a085124e5bfce66227-20260706015657.local/guide-to-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/ and https://www.youtube.com/@HBOTUSA
Coast Oxygen: Unit1/12 Campbell Crescent | Terrigal 2260 | For bookings call 0411 963 965