Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 

Are you ready to go for a dive? Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a cutting-edge treatment now available for select conditions at Prime Wellness. Jeffrey Sherman, DC, NP, and the Med Spa team use HBOT to help patients heal and fight off infections. To learn more about HBOT, how it can benefit you, and help you achieve your wellness goals, call the Woodland Hills, California office or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment today.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is similar to diving under water with an oxygen mask. This is why HBOT is often referred to as a dive.

The body’s tissues need oxygen to function. The air we breathe is 21% oxygen. HBOT involves breathing 100% (pure) oxygen while in a hyperbaric chamber. The air pressure inside this space is raised to higher than normal air pressure.

Increased air pressure in the chamber helps the lungs to collect more oxygen. This provides more oxygen to your tissues, helping your body heal and fight certain infections. HBOT can even trigger collagen growth.

How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy work?

In the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chamber, increased pressure forces the oxygen you’re breathing into your blood plasma. As a result, you have more oxygen in your blood for your body to use.

What conditions are treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

As of July 2021, the FDA has cleared Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy hyperbaric chambers for the following disorders:

• Anemia (severe anemia when blood transfusions cannot be used)
• Burns
• Infection of the skin or bone 
• Skin grafts
• Non-healing wounds such as diabetic ulcers
• Vision or hearing loss
• Decompression sickness (diving risk)
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Gas gangrene

When HBOT is used for conditions cleared by the FDA, it’s generally safe and serious complications are rare. While HBOT is being studied in clinical trials for other conditions, including COVID-19, the FDA has not yet approved other than those listed above.

What is it like inside the HBOT chamber?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chambers are over eight feet long and nearly three feet wide. With plenty of room, you can sit up or lie down and rest your head on the provided pillow. You will breathe 98% oxygen through a mask or nasal cannula during your 60-minute dive.

The pressure in the chamber is 1.5 atmospheres, equivalent to diving 50 feet. Pressure builds slowly over 10 minutes, so your ears have time to adjust.

What should I expect during Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

When preparing for your Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy dive at Prime Wellness, you should come to the Med Spa wearing comfortable clothes.

Before entering the HBOT chamber, use the restroom and eat a protein-filled snack. During the dive, most patients nap, read a book, or watch a video on their iPad or kindle.

Consult your doctor before diving if you are pregnant, have a sinus infection, or have had trouble clearing your ears.

To learn more about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and how it can benefit you, call Prime Wellness or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment today. 

*Individual results may vary.