Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy


We are now offering mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to safely and quickly improve physical and mental functioning. HBOT has been shown the be one of the most effective and safest therapies to saturate the body with life sustaining and rejuvenating oxygen.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy


We are now offering mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to safely and quickly improve physical and mental functioning. HBOT has been shown the be one of the most effective and safest therapies to saturate the body with life sustaining and rejuvenating oxygen.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing higher concentrations of oxygen while pressurizing the body to pressures greater than normal 1 ATA (the pressure at sea level). Instead of using high ATA (3 – 5 ATA), which can potentially have various side effects, it has been shown in past 20 years that using low ATA (1.3 – 1.6 ATA) can produce similar positive health benefits with almost no side effects. Our clinic uses the highest quality 1.6 ATA mild HBOT chamber available.

The process is achieved inside a specialized chamber within which the patient comfortably breathes 95% Oxygen while the ambient air inside our chamber may contain between 60% and 70% oxygen while the pressure inside the chamber is gradually increased.  Based on laws of physics – Boyle’s law, Henry’s law, and Dalton’s Law – breathing oxygen under pressure allows oxygen to be dissolved into plasma portion of the blood.  Under normal conditions, plasma does not carry oxygen, that is left to the red blood cell and hemoglobin.  Dissolving oxygen into plasma allows it to carry oxygen at least four times further into the body’s tissues which results in a much higher concentration of oxygen within the body – as much as 1,200% higher!

But why would you need or want to increase the concentration of oxygen in your body? Under normal conditions, the air we breathe contains a mixture of gases, of which only about 21% is oxygen. This is generally sufficient for the body’s basic functions in those with normal lungs.  However, elevating the oxygen level in the body creates a whole cascade of benefits both in the immediate short term as well as more long term (if done enough times).  It is this cascade of benefits that enhances and accelerates the body’s ability to repair itself, generate energy, and create an environment in which inflammation is suppressed and regenerative healing is promoted.

Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperoxygenation

As discussed above, HBOT increases the amount of oxygen carried into the blood stream, enabling more oxygen to dissolve deep into the body’s tissues, including the lymphatics and the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This reverses hypoxia (areas of the body that are low in oxygen) helping to oxygenate cells and tissue that are at risk of dying (such as tissue damaged during surgery, or from loss of blood supply) or that are in a quiescent or non-functioning state.

Anti-Inflammation

In the short term HBOT downregulates inflammatory pathways and constricts blood vessels to allow less leakage of fluid thus decreasing swelling.  In the long term HBOT has epigenetic effects turning off the genes responsible for inflammation.  Inflammation is a key factor in why our body’s degrade with time. Reducing inflammation and swelling, strengthens the immune system and enhances mitochondrial function.

Antimicrobial Effect

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves the immune system by weakening infection-causing bacteria. It also increases the body’s natural antioxidants and free radical scavengers, which increases the ability to fight disease and infection.  It can also synergize with certain antibiotics improving their efficacy.

Mitochondrial Support

HBOT allows mitochondria, the batteries of our cells, to generate adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. ATP is the chemical that stores and releases energy necessary for many cellular processes and is the main energy source for our body. When you have experienced cellular damage and oxygen-carrying capacity is threatened, your body is in jeopardy of not creating enough ATP.  By providing high levels of oxygen, HBOT helps optimize cellular energy production.

Neovascularization

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the body, which increases circulation, allowing revitalized tissue to thrive even after the treatment protocol has been completed.

Stem Cell Mobilization

During treatment, HBOT has the power to increase stem cells in circulation eight-fold. These stems cells already exist in the body and have the unique ability to differentiate into any type of tissue, making them a valuable tool for regeneration and healing.

What Conditions Can HBOT Treat?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can treat a wide variety of illnesses, injuries, and other conditions. However, there are only 14 indications approved by the FDA. Although the others are not yet approved, there is extensive research citing HBOT’s ability to heal other indications.

FDA Approved Conditions

These conditions, which can be referred to as “on-label”, are approved by the FDA.

  • Air or Gas Embolism
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  • Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
  • Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
  • Crush Injury & Other Acute Traumatic Ischemias
  • Decompression Sickness
  • Diabetic Lower Extremity Wounds
  • Failed Skin Grafts & Flaps
  • Gas Gangrene
  • Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
  • Radiation Tissue Damage
  • Severe Anemia (Acute anemia used as a bridge therapy)
  • Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
  • Thermal Burns (severe)
  • Intracranial Abscess

Conditions That Benefit

These conditions, which can be referred to as “off-label”, have not yet been approved by the FDA.

  • Anoxic Brain Injury
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer (Treatment Synergy)
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Chronic Pain
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
  • Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Lyme Disease
  • Migraine/Headache
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Sports Injuries
  • Stroke
  • Surgery Preparation & Recovery
  • Ulcerative Colitis

What to Expect During Treatment

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is simple – just sit back, relax, and breathe normally.  Prior to your first session you will first have a consultation with one of our doctors. This consult is to evaluate you for HBOT, confirm there are no contraindications, and establish a protocol most appropriate for your condition(s) to meet your health goals.

During this time, your doctor will also explain how the science behind hyperbaric oxygen therapy works to help the body, and receive an orientation on what is needed before you start treatments, as well as the daily process of preparing for each session.

At the beginning of each session, a technician will check your vitals and review a safety checklist, affirming you have removed all jewelry, watches, and electronic devices, and are free of lotions and perfumes. They will also provide you a 100% cotton gown and blanket for a safe and comfortable experience.

During the entire treatment, a technician will be present by the chamber to guide you, particularly while you descend to your prescribed depth, where you may experience an ear-popping sensation (like when flying on any airplane), as well as attend to any needs or questions you have during your session. Finally, at the end of your session, the technician will again take your vitals.

How Many Treatments Are Prescribed?

How many sessions a person needs depends on the severity of the health concern. While many people may benefit from a single session, often times more complex conditions may require more frequent treatment.

1-5 Sessions

Improve cellular energy, decrease inflammation, and initiate tissues repair and regeneration.

5-10 Sessions

Typically used for acute injuries with soft tissue damage and pain.

10-20 Sessions

For more serious acute injuries or chronic injuries.

20-40 Sessions

Commonly used for major tissue damage when new tissue is required and for various chronic illnesses and brain conditions.



Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 2

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

We are is now offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to safely and quickly improve physical and mental functioning. The most important “nutrient” the body needs is oxygen. Without oxygen for 3-4 minutes the body can’t live. Without water for 3-4 days the body can’t also live. So any therapy that can increase the oxygen supply to the body will definitely benefit the body tremendously. HBOT has been shown the be one of the most effective and safest therapy to saturate the body with life sustaining and rejuvenating oxygen. HBOT is the medical use of oxygen in a pressurized environment or chamber at a level of more than 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA), which is sea level. Instead of using high ATA (3 – 5 ATA), which can potentially have various side effects, it has been shown in past 20 years that using low ATA (1.3 – 1.5 ATA) can produce similar positive health benefits with almost no side effects. This modern use of low pressured oxygen environment is called mild HBOT, which is commonly use today.

BREATHING OXYGEN IN A PRESSURED CHAMBER HAS SEVERAL INCREDIBLE ADVANTAGES

1. The oxygen concentration can be increased to 40-90% instead of the 20% oxygen concentration in ambient air.

2. Oxygen typically needs a carrier (the hemoglobin or red blood cells) to transport and deliver the oxygen to the cells. Under hyperbaric or pressurized environment, the oxygen molecules do not need a carrier, and instead is free floating in the blood for more efficient delivery of oxygen without any impediments (ex. anemias).

3. Under hyperbaric, the oxygen molecules are much smaller in size (bc of the pressure), which allows the oxygen molecules to dissolve in the blood and to easily reach every cell in the body. This is similar to the pressurized gas in a soda can which is dissolved –until the soda can is open and the pressure is released, causing the gas to expand bigger. This pressurized oxygen will exponentially increase the oxygen delivery throughout the body.

HBOT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED TO HAVE MANY POSITIVE PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS WHICH ARE IMMEDIATE, SOMETIMES WITHIN 24 HOURS OF JUST ONE HBOT SESSION, SUCH AS:

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Anti-oxidant

  • Increased cell energy

  • Increased healing

  • Pain reduction

  • Angiogenesis (new blood vessels formation)

  • Muscle regeneration

  • Improved blood flow

  • Enhanced tissue repair

  • Enhanced memory

  • Repair brain neurons

  • Aids with detoxification

  • Increased immunity

  • Anti-bacterial

  • Quicker healing

  • Anti-aging benefits

  • Increased stem cells

HERE ARE THE MANY HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT HBOT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HELP WITH:

  • Atherosclerosis

  • Diabetes

  • Decrease aging process

  • Soft tissue injuries

  • Fractures

  • Pre and Post surgery

  • Wounds healing

  • Sport injuries

  • Sport performance

  • Help cancer outcome

  • Decompression sickness

  • Autism, Cerebral Palsy

  • Stroke, Brain injuries

  • Concussions

  • Headaches, Migraines

  • Colitis, Crohn’s

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Arthritis, joint injuries

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Alzheimer, Parkinson

  • Inflammatory pain

  • TMJ, joints pain

  • Chronic infections (Lyme)

  • High blood pressure

  • Altitude sickness

  • Metabolic syndrome

  • Toxic injuries (Mold)

  • Chronic fatigue

  • Anxiety, stress, depression

  • Insomnia

  • Cosmetic surgeries

  • Carbon monoxide poisoning

  • Addiction recovery

How many hours of HBOT a person needs depends on the severity of the health issue(s). 1 – 5 (60 min) sessions improve cellular energy, decrease inflammation, and initiate tissues repair and regeneration. 5 – 10 sessions are typically used for acute injuries with soft tissue damage and pain. 10 – 20 sessions are for more serious acute injuries or chronic injuries. 20 – 40 sessions are commonly used for major tissue damage when new tissue is required and for various chronic illnesses and brain conditions. HBOT can be done 1 to 2 times a day, 5 days on 2 days off.

Most clinics charge $150 – $250 per HBOT session. At Epic Chiropractic, the cost of one HBOT session (60 min) is $165. A package of 5 is only $750. Epic Chiropractic invites everyone to experience the incredible healing and rejuvenating benefits of HBOT for optimal physical and mental health.



Digital Radiology

Digital Radiology

Our radiology department has the ability to take single region images as well as full-spine digital x-rays. Scoliosis evaluations are streamlined and less exposure is achieved. Not everyone is a candidate for x-ray imaging. However, when necessary we use the technology from iCRco to come to a quick and accurate diagnosis that helps improve patient outcomes.



Myofascial Cupping

Myofascial Cupping

Myofascial cupping is a soft tissue modality that uses negative pressure to gently lift the skin and underlying connective tissue. When cups are applied to the skin, the tissue is drawn up into the cup. This decompression increases localized circulation, relaxes soft tissues, and is thought to stimulate healing.

Dynamic cupping follows a similar process, but rather than leaving the cup on one area of the skin, the therapist glides cups along the tissue with a similar intent to IASTM / Graston Technique. In addition, both static and dynamic methods can incorporate active movement to address faulty movement patterns and improve myofascial tissue glide.



Active Release Techniques

Active Release Techniques

Active Release Techniques (ART) is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system / movement based myofascial release technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.



Corrective Exercise

Functional Movement Assessment

The Selective Functional Movement Assessment is a movement based diagnostic system. The assessment provides an efficient method to systematically find the cause of symptoms, not just the source, by logically breaking down dysfunctional patterns and diagnosing their root cause as either a mobility problem or a stability/motor control problem.



Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive procedure for the treatment of acute and chronic pain of the musculoskeletal system. Shock Wave Therapy is characterized by the use of acoustic pressure waves to target tissue at the point where the pain is originating from. They cause an improved local blood circulation and metabolism, have a direct influence on the form, and thereby on the function, of tissue.



Graston Technique

Graston Technique

Graston Technique® is an evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that effectively addresses scar tissue and fascial restrictions through comprehensive training, resulting in improved patient outcomes.



Deep Tissue Laser

Deep Tissue Laser

Deep Tissue Laser Therapy accelerates your body’s own natural healing process through photo-bio-stimulation. Our 40-watt Liteforce Therapy Laser is effective in treating chronic conditions, acute conditions and post surgical pain.



Chiropractic

Chiropractic Care

One of the most researched conservative techniques shown to be very effective at restoring proper motion in joints throughout the body. Healthy joint motion is imperative to maintaining quality movement throughout the entire body and reduce the stress and risk of injuries in the spine and extremities.