hyperbaric oxygen therapy

You have probably heard of the Hyperbaric Chamber and images of deep sea divers with the bends or rock stars sleeping in them to stay young may come to mind. Did you know that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is now being used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and conditions? It is now being used to restore some of the brain function lost due to injury or disease. Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Stroke, Lyme's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ADD, ADHD as well as other developmental delays and other neurological issues. In a wide range of conditions where tissues have been damaged by oxygen deprivation such as inflammation and infections HBOT is successfully being used. In addition, HBOT can slow the aging process through treating the aging cells with pure oxygen causing the regeneration of these cells. Patients can use HBOT in conjunction with Facial Rejuvenation Treatment for wonderful results.

In Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy the patient breathes 100% pure oxygen intermittently under a pressure of greater than sea level or one atmosphere. The treatment occurs in a canvas chamber and is completely painless and non-evasive. The patient relaxes and just breathes.  Through breathing, the level of oxygen in the body is increased to 20 times higher than normal. The body is flooded with oxygen that forces the rapid elimination of other gases - reducing damage caused by toxic gases in the body. Toxin production is stopped in gas gangrene, and carbon monoxide is moved from possible neurological damage. Hyperbaric oxygen acts as an alpha-adrenergic drug causing vasoconstriction. When the blood vessels constrict, the flow of blood is restricted or slowed and this can result in reduction of edema following burns or crush injuries.

Processes that are essential for wound healing are oxygen dependant so in the case of wounds such as burns, tissue oxygen tensions are restored back to appropriate levels. The diffusion of oxygen increases two to three times under hyperbaric conditions in wounds with restricted blood flow resulting in increased healing with or without skin grafting.

As mentioned, HBOT therapy is completely painless and non-evasive; there are no negative side effects that can be damaging to your health.  HBOT sessions are comfortable and typically leave one with a sense of well being. Most therapies will include a modest increased pressurization to approximately 1.5 atmospheres, like swimming to the bottom of a pool. Pressurization is gradual and relaxed, allowing plenty of time to equalize your ears. Patients comfortably lie down in the canvas chamber and read, watch DVDs or simply relax as the pressurized oxygen repairs their cells. For your comfort and relaxation, feel free to bring a CD player or I-Pod type device with headphones. Children can be treated with parents being able to be with them in the chamber as there is plenty of room.

Dr Koh believes so strongly in increasing the quality of the lives of his patients that shortly Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy will be available as a form of treatment for new and existing patients at New Hope Acupuncture.