Your guide to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – and how it works

This form of therapy involves breathing high levels of oxygen in a pressurised environment – here’s all you need to know about it and the benefits it could offer you.
HBOT is a non-invasive and painless procedure which clients find easy-going and relaxingHBOT is a non-invasive and painless procedure which clients find easy-going and relaxing
HBOT is a non-invasive and painless procedure which clients find easy-going and relaxing

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Referred to as HBOT, involves the delivery of increased levels of oxygen inside a hyperbaric chamber where the pressure around the body is increased for a prescribed session of usually 60 minutes.

The air we normally breathe contains 21 per cent oxygen, along with 78 per cent nitrogen (and the rest made up of noble gases and carbon dioxide). But within the chamber, you breathe 95 per cent oxygen – which can significantly increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in the bloodstream.

You can feel at ease as your host monitors you throughout to ensure you are happy and at easeYou can feel at ease as your host monitors you throughout to ensure you are happy and at ease
You can feel at ease as your host monitors you throughout to ensure you are happy and at ease

The first Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber was used in the 1930s and it is a well-established treatment for decompression sickness, a potential risk of scuba diving. It’s even used by the NHS for wounds that may not heal as a result of diabetes or radiation exposure.

Why does breathing more oxygen help?

The air we breathe generally provides enough oxygen for both normal body metabolism and repair to tissue damage after injury or illness. But a boost in those levels can enhance the body’s ability to heal, and the increased flow of oxygen stimulates and restores function to damaged cells and organs; HBOT has been found to encourage the formation of new collagen (connective tissue) and new skin cells by encouraging new blood vessel formation.

How does the therapy work?

The therapy involves you relaxing, fully clothed, with an oxygen mask placed over your nose and mouth in your own personal chamber, while the oxygen is delivered.

HBOT is a non-invasive and painless procedure which clients find easy-going and relaxing. Your host will monitor you throughout to ensure you are happy and at ease.

What is it used for?

HBOT provides an ideal alternative to more invasive treatments such as Botox or surgery as the supplemented oxygen levels can improve blood flow, boost cell metabolism, facilitate collagen production, contribute to microscopic blood vessel growth and, on the surface level, increase skin elasticity.

HBOT is not only a key component to recovery from sports injuries, it can help improve mental focus and energise your mind and body ready for your next big match or event.

Using HBOT as part of your training programme can reduce recovery times – just ask top athletes who use HBOT to aid recovery from injuries as well as aid match day performance.

In their own words:

Chris says: “I had three sessions of HBOT ahead of an important regional football match. After my fitness sessions before the match, I felt like I had more energy as a result of the HBOT and didn’t have my usual recovery aches.

“The match took place in 30 degrees heat following which I would expect to feel really tired and would take me a couple of days to recover. However, the day after the match I felt ready to carry on with my usual sport.”

Several conditions can cause low blood oxygen levels, including asthma, anaemia and Covid-19. HBOT can be a versatile treatment used alongside conventional medicine for a host of wide-ranging health conditions from migraines and depression to dementia and multiple sclerosis, acting as an effective strategy to boost recuperation as well as helping to decrease the severity of symptoms.

In their own words:

Janice says: “I went in thinking that an hour lying down, reading and breathing pure clean air would be beneficial, which it is, but after a couple of sessions I began feel much more alert.

“Another effect of the treatment for me is the effect it has had on my arthritis which is particularly bad in my hands. I have a lot more flexibility in my fingers and the shooting pains I used to get in my thumbs have gone. I feel a lot less tired on a daily basis.”

HBOT can help to improve brain function, memory and mood, helping you to feel sharp, focused and productive; users report feeling more alert and energetic.

In their own words:

Emily says: “I was a bit uncertain about using the chamber, particularly for so many sessions close together, I wasn't sure the benefit would be worth it. By session six, my opinion had completely changed. I've had more energy, felt more alert, particularly first thing in a morning which has always been a struggle for me. As an added bonus I noticed my skin was looking better and I felt brighter in myself.”

You can now try hyperbaric oxygen treatment for yourself here in Leeds with the opening of the Oxify clinic at Woodhead House, Woodhead Road, Birstall WF17 9TD.

The clinic is open from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday; to book an appointment call 01135 432750 or email [email protected]. For more information and to book online, visit www.oxify.co.uk.

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