Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex disorder that develops in certain individuals after experiencing a major traumatic event. People with PTSD have intense feelings and thoughts long after the event has ended which may result in trauma, avoidance behavior, mood changes, flashbacks, nightmares, etc. It can also result in chronic pain, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety and other related issues. If left untreated, these symptoms can impact an individual’s ability to function normally day to day. Plus, it can increase the risk of future health problems and disease because of the increased stress and overall negative impact to the body.
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Emerging research has shown that HBOT can have a positive impact on individuals suffering from PTSD. Although not yet FDA approved, HBOT is thought to help increase brain neuroplasticity (ability to form new connections) and help heal actual damage in the brain through:
• New blood vessel formation that allows for more oxygen and nutrients to reach to the damaged areas.
• Increased stem cell activity to promote the repair of damaged tissues.
• Decreased inflammation
Several studies focused on military personnel suffering from PTSD have shown an improvement in anxiety and depression levels after multiple HBOT treatments, in conjunction with a comprehensive PTSD treatment plan.
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Low pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy and SPECT brain imaging in the treatment of blast-induced chronic traumatic brain injury (post-concussion syndrome) and post traumatic stress disorder: a case report - PMC (nih.gov)
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03466554
https://nvf.org/ptsd-tbi-and-hbot/
https://www.jns.org/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-relieves-ptsd-symptoms-in-new-peer-israeli-study/
https://www.brainline.org/research/research-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-treat-tbi-and-ptsd
Concussion
Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury that are often caused when some sort of external force to the head results in the brain being jostled against the skull. Most often concussions occur as a result of a sports injury or some sort of accident that aggressively shakes the head and body.
Symptoms can include headache, confusion, lack of coordination, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ear and excessive fatigue. They can be short-lived or last for months or longer depending on the extent of the injury. There is no specific cure for a concussion. Rest and activity restriction to allow the brain to recover is step one.
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Research has shown that HBOT can help relieve and/or reduce concussion symptoms. An HBOT treatment increases the amount of oxygen carried by the blood and plasma to assist healing. Healing that is triggered by the growth of new blood capillaries through the release of stem cells. As a result of the increased blood flow and oxygen levels, the regeneration of damaged tissue can occur.
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Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by an external force to the head. It involves a bump, blow or jolt to the head or hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move back and forth quickly. In moderate and severe TBI cases, this can also include a penetrating injury to the head. Most often, people are affected with TBI from a fall, sports-related incident, gun-related injury, motor vehicle accident or assault.
TBI can lead to both short-term and long-term health problems, depending on the severity. A wide range of symptoms may result from TBI, such as: headache, confusion, memory loss, lack of coordination, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ear and excessive fatigue.
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While this treatment is not yet FDA improved, research has shown that HBOT can help reduce symptoms by those impacted by TBI. An HBOT treatment increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood and plasma to the injured area. The increase in oxygen and nutrients triggers the growth of new blood vessels and stem cells. As a result, this helps stimulate brain tissue development and regeneration.
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Sports Recovery
In recent years, more time and attention has been placed on physical and mental stress from competitive sports training. The need for adequate recovery from intense training and/or a sports injury can range from football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, weight lifting, cyclists, runners, tennis and more. No matter recreational, competitive or professional it is something that can affect children from age 10 to adults at age 100.
The most common sports injuries range from broken bones to torn or pulled muscles, tendons and ligaments as a result of intensive training and conditioning. Those types of strains on the body, when prolonged, can have a lasting impact on performance and risk of re-injury over time. In addition, soreness and injury can have an impact on the athlete’s mental health as well. It can impact sleeping, energy levels and mental clarity.
Being proactive about physical recovery and health maintenance has been shown to prevent injury and reduce healing time when an injury occurs. Athletes want treatments that speed the recovery process and improve the overall health and wellbeing of body and mind.
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When muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones are injured or experience intense training, they need more oxygen to heal. Oxygen is fuel for self-healing. Unfortunately, those areas receive less oxygen due to inflammation and decreased circulation.
HBOT pushes more oxygen into blood and tissues. This stimulates the formation of new blood vessels to the stressed or injured areas to increase oxygen and nutrient levels.
The results to date have shown:
• More energy, enhanced performance
• Reduced inflammation
• Decrease in soreness
• Faster recovery after a workout and/or injury
• Improved sleep
• Better mental clarity
In addition, HBOT does not require any recovery time after treatment. Normal activities can resume immediately after. This is a huge benefit to busy athletes with an active lifestyle. In fact, many professional athletes have the luxury of being able to purchase their own hyperbaric chambers for regular therapy use. Typical treatments last between 60-120 minutes and many of our patients look forward to using this time to relax and even meditate.
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Autism
Autism is a bio-neurological development disability that impacts the normal development of the brain. Individuals impacted typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and play activities. Symptoms can vary greatly from individual to individual. It impacts 1 in 54 children at rate that has steadily grown in the last 20 years. The exact cause of Autism remains unclear, but there is evidence that it involves decreased blood flow to certain areas of the brain.
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The benefits of HBOT as a treatment to Autism are still being researched. To date, HBOT has been observed to do the following:
• Stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and healing injured tissues through the increase in oxygen and nutrients.
• Mobilize stem cell activities creating tissue regeneration
• Reduce inflammation allowing return of normal blood flow and oxygen levels
Studies have shown improved motivation, speech and cognitive awareness in children, as well as social development, motor skills, sensory issues and emotional reactions. Further research is underway to learn more, but initial findings point to HBOT as a low-risk, effective therapy for Autism.
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