Image Credit: Hyperbaric Medical Solutions
Article Authors: Gordon Slater| Tandose Sambo
“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” – William Londen
Medical therapies are always evolving. Self healing is an application that utilises the mechanisms of the body’s own immune system, in order to treat existing conditions. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a therapy that involves breathing almost pure oxygen in an enclosed space or chamber. HBOT is an evolving therapy that is now being expanded to treat a variety of conditions, including orthopaedic conditions. The body is able to accelerate healing under pressure, and the therapy is now being used as a catalyst for treatments. Orthopaedic conditions that are treated by HBOT include:
- osteomyelitis, a bone marrow infection
- arterial insufficiency, or low blood flow in the arteries
- acute traumatic ischemia, which may involve a crush injury
- Diabetic foot ulcers
As a patient, you may already be treated for a pre-existing orthopaedic condition, and may want to consider a natural alternative to treat your ailment. An orthopaedic consultation will determine if HBOT will be the right treatment for your condition. The severity of the condition is often an indicator of the type of treatment that may be applied.
How HBOT works
In the HBOT chamber, there is an increase in pressure that is approximately three times greater than sea level. Applying the principles of physics, gases are found to dissolve into liquids at higher pressures. Oxygen is a key gas that the body needs for respiration. Additional oxygen that is absorbed into the bloodstream will accelerate the healing process. Oxygen at high pressure is found to enhance tissue function, and heal any infections.
The HBOT process is normally conducted in a number of sessions, according to your orthopaedic condition, and the severity of the condition. The HBOT process normally involves [2]:
- putting on a cotton medical gown
- sitting or lying in a sealed chamber, either alone or with other people, in which case the chamber will be room-sized
- receiving pressurized oxygen, which may arrive through a mask or a hood
- talking with a therapist or technician during the session, if desired
- possibly listening to music or watching TV to encourage relaxation
Treatment times can range from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Prior to treatment, you will have a talk with your caregiver, so that you will understand the process of treatment, and relieve any pretreatment gitters.
Conclusions:
As the utilisation of HBOT in orthopaedic conditions becomes increasingly more prevalent, the procedure is now considered a safe treatment. There are 12 conditions that have been approved by the FDA as treatable conditions via HBOT. As a relatively natural treatment, the complication of utilising chemical treatments such as drugs is minimised. A small percentage of patients do exhibit oxygen toxicity under treatment, so this possibility must be carefully monitored.
References:
[1] MedicalNewsToday: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313155
[2] Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery: https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abstract/2006/10000/Hyperbaric_Oxygen_Therapy_in_Orthopedic.24.aspx
[3] Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319104015_The_Role_of_Hyperbaric_Oxygen_Therapy_in_Orthopedics_and_Rheumatological_Diseases
