By: Dr. Terry Weyman
I was first introduced to the Mild Hyperbaric Chamber 8 years ago after I had shoulder surgery. I was told it would increase my healing time and get me back to water skiing earlier. I was skeptical, but I had nothing to lose. After being in the chamber for 45 min I was able to move my arm with out pain and was able to do simple rehab exercises! It blew me away. Recently, I hurt my ankle real bad and was told I would not walk for months. Again, I sought out a Chamber, still not fully understanding what it does, again the results were amazing and I was walking within weeks. After talking with other Sports Medicine Doctors and Friends of mine who work with Elite Athletes I decided to take the plunge and bring one to CSI. So far, the results have been astounding. What is a Mild Hyperbaric Chamber and what does it do? Hopefully this simple article answers some of your questions.
How Much O2 can the body absorb and how much am I really getting?
When you breathe, Oxygen attaches to red blood cells and is carried throughout the body to be used in every function your body performs. However, the amount of Oxygen your body receives is limited by the number and circulation of these cells. Sickness, Injury or disease can dramatically lower your Red Blood Cell count and restrict Oxygen delivery to vital organs. Since 90% of our biological energy comes from Oxygen and only 10% from food and water, proper O2 usage is important not only in healing but for performance as well.
Isn’t breathing enough?
Unfortunately, when we breathe we are not getting enough oxygen. Currently our atmospheric oxygen content is approximately 21%, when just a few hundred years ago the air concentration was as high as 35%. Although toxic gases and pollutants are causing the atmospheric oxygen decline, it is not the only cause of oxygen deficiency. Over processed foods are high in toxins and low in oxygen. Eating these foods forces the body to use large amounts of oxygen to eliminate the poisons. These foods include: white floor, sugar, alcohol. Coffee, colas, etc. Foods rich in oxygen supply are fresh and organic fruits and vegetables.
When you’re injured, your physical effort declines. Lack of exercise prevents the body from absorbing the oxygen needed to revitalize the systems. Not sleeping well prevents oxygen from regenerating the organs, cells, bone and muscles. Physical stress, caused by infections, surgery, injury and viruses, creates the need for the body to use more oxygen to fight and repair. Emotional stress also places strain on all major organs and systems of the body as well.
How can Mild Hyperbaric Help?
Mild Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses purified ambient air with high levels of oxygen and approximately 130% atmospheric pressure to allow Oxygen Absorption through out ALL the bodies’ fluids. Since your RBCs can only absorb so much O2, now O2 can be “pushed” into other fluids such as Plasma and CSF (cerebral spinal fluid). This is proven through “Henry;s law of Physics, where when liquid is put under pressure, it absorbs the surrounding gases”.
Unlike Oxygen Bars and other forms of Oxygen treatments, Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy is the only way to infuse all the bodies fluids, including blood plasma, lymphatic fluids, and as said above, CSF. Now O2 can reach tissue which is inaccessible to red blood cells, enhance white blood cell function and promote the formation of new capillary and peripheral blood vessels. This dissolved Oxygen is more readily used by the tissue cells. That’s because Oxygen carried in fluid is immediately available to the body’s cells, while Oxygen in red blood cells requires energy to make it available. This results in increased infection control and a faster healing time.
Many of the defense mechanism in the human body are dependent on oxygen. A low level of Oxygen in the tissues reduces the healing time by reducing the effectiveness of the ingestion and killing of bacteria by the white blood cells. When a body is subjected to Hyperbaric Therapy, re-oxygenation of the tissue allows phagocytosis and other defense mechanisms of the body to operate more effectively. Bottom line, bring more O2 in, the system works more efficiently so that you heal faster and stronger.
Hyperbaric Medicine is not a “cure all”, but a tool. When this tool is used correctly it has demonstrated to dramatically increase immune capabilities, helps with post surgical repair, fractures, musculoskeletal injuries, fibromyalgia pain, fatigue recovery, post concussion symptoms to just name a few. The affects of Hyperbaric Therapy are cumulative, and show longer lasting benefits over multiple sessions. MRI changes have been seen in both brain and injury sites in as little as 10 hours of use.
For more information you can contact Westlake CSI at www.gotcsi.com or schedule an apt by calling 805-371-0737
