Breathe New Life Into Your Health: The Healing Power of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen is the foundation of life, fueling every cell in our body. But what if we could harness its power in a way that supercharges healing, reduces inflammation, and enhances overall health? Welcome to the world of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), where patients breathe pure oxygen while in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber to supercharge healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall health.

At Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness, we’re always on the cutting edge of medical treatments that promote longevity and wellness. Hyperbaric medicine has been around for decades, initially recognized for treating decompression sickness in divers. But today, the applications extend far beyond just decompression sickness. HBOT is well known for helping patients heal from injuries, infections, inflammation, and even combat neurological conditions.

Curious about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy could transform your health? Schedule a consultation today.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a cutting-edge medical treatment that involves the use of breathing pure oxygen in a specially designed, pressurized chamber. It’s important to note that older hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers sometimes pressurized the entire chamber with 100% oxygen, which was considered very dangerous. Modern HBOT units only deliver 100% oxygen to the patient to breathe while the chamber itself is filled with ambient air containing 21% oxygen, meaning the pressure within the chamber is not solely from pure oxygen. This unique environment is safer, and enables your lungs to take in more oxygen than they would under standard conditions, which can then be transported by your bloodstream to areas of your body that need it most.

Originally developed to treat decompression sickness in divers, HBOT has since been recognized for its effectiveness in treating a variety of medical conditions. HBOT is FDA approved for many conditions including carbon monoxide poisoning, where it helps to quickly remove the toxic gas from your bloodstream, and chronic wounds that refuse to heal, such as diabetic foot ulcers and even things like sudden hearing loss, crush injuries and healing from stroke. By flooding your body with pure oxygen, HBOT accelerates the healing process, reduces inflammation, and combats infections, making it a versatile tool in modern medicine.  There are many conditions that have been studied uses of HBOT and are well accepted amoung medical practitioners like the treatment of infections like long COVID and Lyme disease that we utilthis amazing therapy for at YNC.

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

The hyperbaric environment, characterized by increased pressure and pure oxygen, enhances the body’s ability to absorb oxygen. According to the Mayo Clinic, in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, the pressure is elevated to two or three times higher than normal air pressure. This increase allows the lungs to absorb significantly more oxygen than they would when breathing pure oxygen at standard atmospheric pressure. This increased atmospheric pressure allows oxygen to dissolve into your plasma, reaching areas of your body that typically have limited oxygen supply.

As Dr. Renee Young explains, “The deeper pressure you go under, the more we force oxygen into your plasma. Plasma is not a natural place for oxygen to be, but when we introduce it, it can sneak into all those little crevices in your body and oxygenate places that normally wouldn’t be, which leads to a serious healing response.” This oxygenation process has profound effects, triggering your body’s natural healing mechanisms, reducing inflammation, killing infections and even stimulating the growth of new blood vessels.

Benefits and Physiological Role of Oxygen

Oxygen is more than just the air we breathe; it’s a vital nutrient that fuels every cell in our body. Through a process known as cellular respiration, oxygen is used by cells to produce energy, which is essential for all bodily functions. Normally, oxygen is introduced into the body through the lungs and transported to cells via the bloodstream, with hemoglobin in red blood cells playing a crucial role in this process.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy takes this natural process to the next level. By increasing the amount of oxygen your body can absorb, HBOT enhances and improves cellular respiration, leading to a cascade of health benefits. This elevated oxygen level helps to reduce inflammation, promote faster healing, and even kill harmful bacteria. Essentially, HBOT supercharges your body’s natural healing mechanisms, making it an invaluable treatment for a wide range of conditions.

What Can HBOT Treat?

The FDA has many approved hyperbaric medicine for several medical conditions, including:

• Decompression sickness (the bends)
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Diabetic wound healing, Crush injuries
• Thermal burns
• Sudden hearing loss
• Sever anemia
• Radiation injury
• Gas embolisms
• Necrotizing fasiculitis

Beyond these, clinical research has shown HBOT can be beneficial for a wide range of other conditions:

• Chronic pain & sports injuries: “The more we bathe your tissue with oxygen, the more healing happens,” says Dr. Young. This makes HBOT particularly valuable for treating tendonitis, joint pain, and even muscle recovery for athletes.
• Neurological conditions: Research is exploring HBOT’s effects on traumatic brain injuries, stroke recovery, and even PTSD. We even use it to aid in recovery from concussion syndrome.
• Inflammation & immune support: Increased oxygen levels can help reduce systemic inflammation and boost immune function, potentially aiding in autoimmune conditions.
• Anti-aging & longevity: With its ability to stimulate cellular repair and regeneration, HBOT is gaining popularity as a longevity Study’s show hyperbaric and even boost your natural stem cells
• Aid in treating infections such as long covid, chronic lyme disease and co-infections like Bartonella and Babesiosis.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Wound Care

When it comes to wound care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be a game-changer. Chronic wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, and other stubborn wounds that refuse to heal can benefit immensely from this treatment. By increasing the amount of oxygen delivered to the wound site, HBOT promotes faster healing and reduces the risk of infection.

One of the most remarkable aspects of HBOT is its ability to stimulate the production of stem cells. These cells are crucial for tissue repair and regeneration, making HBOT an effective treatment for wounds that have been resistant to other forms of therapy. Whether you’re dealing with a chronic wound or a complex injury, HBOT can provide the oxygen boost your body needs to heal more effectively.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Medical Emergencies

In medical emergencies, time is of the essence, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be a lifesaver. Conditions like air or gas embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, and decompression sickness require immediate and effective treatment to prevent serious complications. HBOT works by rapidly increasing the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, which helps to displace harmful gases and promote healing.

HBOT is also invaluable in treating radiation therapy injuries and smoke inhalation. By enhancing oxygen delivery to damaged tissues, HBOT helps to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve overall outcomes. In these critical situations, the ability of HBOT to flood the body with pure oxygen can make all the difference, providing a powerful tool in the arsenal of emergency medical treatments.

What to Expect in a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber Session

At Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness, our chambers are spacious and comfortable—nearly 9 feet long by 4 feet wide—allowing for a relaxing experience. Patients enter the chamber and breathe 100% oxygen through a mask or nasal cannula while the chamber is pressurized. According to the Hyperbaric Medical Society, adhering to their guidelines ensures the safety and effectiveness of HBOT sessions. “There are different levels of pressure that do different things,” Dr. Young explains. “Most of our patients start somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 ATA (atmospheric pressure), and treatments last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes.” Many patients report feeling deeply relaxed during and after their sessions, with a noticeable boost in energy and mental clarity.

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

The number of treatments varies based on the condition being treated. Acute injuries may benefit from a few sessions, migranes can be relieved in just one treatment (but not cured), while chronic conditions or wellness optimization may require 20-40 sessions. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society provides detailed guidelines on the recommended number of sessions for various conditions. “We’ve seen patients with chronic pain experience significant relief after just a few sessions,” says Dr. Young. “For others, particularly those looking for long-term wellness benefits, regular treatments for a period of time can be a game-changer.”

Is HBOT safe?

HBOT is a well-tolerated therapy with minimal risks when administered correctly. However, there are some contraindications, such as untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and certain ear or sinus conditions. Dr. Young emphasizes, “While there are contraindications, oxygen is nature’s original healing molecule. There is nothing more natural than oxygen as a healing factor, especially when given by a licensed medical professional certified in hyperbaric oxygen therapy.”

The Future of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

HBOT is continuously gaining recognition for its ability to support healing and longevity. Research continues to explore its benefits for brain health, anti-aging, and even performance enhancement. In fact, Nobel Prize-winning research in 2019 highlighted the role of oxygen in cellular repair and adaptation. “The more people demand longevity and feeling better about their bodies, the more we see therapies like HBOT being utilized clinically,” says Dr. Young.

Take the First Step Today

If you’re ready to experience the healing benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, our team at Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness is here to guide you. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, looking to reduce inflammation, or simply want to optimize your health, HBOT could be the missing piece in your wellness journey.

Schedule your consultation today and breathe new life into your health.