What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that delivers 100% oxygen to a person within a pressurized chamber. Each individual treatment is called a "dive". During a treatment, oxygen under pressure is delivered within the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, increasing the partial pressure of oxygen within a person's body as much as fifteen times above normal tissue saturation. Increased oxygen tension accelerates healing processes and assists in recovery from certain conditions and maladies.

Hyperbaric chambers were traditionally used to treat decompression illness in divers. Decompression illness, sometimes referred to as the bends, occurs when a person experiences a rapid decrease in the pressure around their body. This condition commonly affects divers if they surface from a dive too rapidly.

HBOT is safe. Side effects are few and none persist for any length of time. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not promoted as a "cure all", but has been clearly demonstrated to dramatically increase immune capabilities, assisting patients with problems ranging from chronic wounds to complex disabilities and neurological impairment.

How does HBOT work?

During hyperbaric oxygen treatment, ambient pressure inside the computerized, state-of-the-art, lucite hyperbaric oxygen chamber is gradually increased by the addition of 100 percent oxygen. The patient lies comfortably and breathes normally during treatment while listening to music or enjoying a DVD on a flat screen television. Atmospheric pressure within the hyperbaric oxygen chamber can be increased up to three atmospheres (ATA) which is comparable to a deep sea dive of sixty-six feet below sea level. At ambient pressure oxygen molecules only bind to hemoglobin within red blood cells. Increasing atmospheric pressure levels causes oxygen molecules to become soluble, enhancing their binding ability and allowing more usable oxygen to cross over all cell membranes within the body.

HBOT can provide a patient with up to fifteen times normal oxygen levels. Extra oxygen is readily transported by all body fluids including plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and lymph fluid. This benefits all body tissues and organs because these fluids can diffuse through capillary beds that red blood cells cannot. Increased tissue oxygenation produces long term therapeutic benefits, including forming new blood vessels (angiogenesis), fostering new cell growth (fibroblast formation) and aiding the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and remove toxins (an increased immunologic response).

How how long does it take?

Compression and decompression, in total, takes twenty to thirty minutes. Patients are slowly pressurized to their prescribed protocol, kept at treatment level for approximately sixty minutes, then slowly decompressed back to surface pressure.  A complete dive totals approximately ninety minutes.

How does it feel?

During the compression and decompression phases of the treatment, pressure in the ears must be equalized by swallowing or yawning, similar to being in an airplane. The patient is not usually aware of any other sensations during treatments, which are supervised by trained and certified hyperbaric technicians only.

What can I take into the chamber with me?

We provide 100% cotton scrubs that must be worn during treatment.  Private lockers are provided in locker rooms to secure your clothing and valuable items.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments a patient needs depends on his or her condition. Dr. Brittain or Dr. Osbon will discuss your individual treatment protocol with you during your initial consultation.

Does insurance cover treatments?

Some conditions are covered by insurance and are listed under approved indications list. The other list of conditions that we also treat is not usually covered by insurance. We will bill insurance for ALL diagnoses and we will assist you in everyway to try and get your insurance to cover those diagnoses that are not on the approved list.  If the diagnosis that you are being treated under is not on the approved list, us being a provider will not ensure your insurance company will cover the treatment.

What is the cost?

Out of pocket fees are discussed with you before you are scheduled to start HBOT. An additional discount is offered when payment is made in advance of treatment. If by some chance insurance does make payments after you have paid you will be reimbursed the amount that you paid. We will also be more than glad to set up a payment plan with you.