Have you ever wondered about hyperbaric chambers and if they work? Maybe you have always thought hyperbaric oxygen is some kind of pseudoscience.
But the truth is hyperbaric medicine works, and medical professionals are becoming more aware of its effectiveness in treating chronic injuries, sores, and ulcers.
When you use a hyperbaric chamber, you are breathing pure oxygen. But what exactly are hyperbaric chambers used for, and what health benefits do they have?
Keep reading our guide to find out everything you need to know about hyperbaric chambers and how they can help you!
What Are Hyperbaric Chambers?
If you’ve ever gone scuba diving, then you’ve been warned about the risks of decompression illness. They will tell you not to come to the surface too quickly!
For a long time now, hyperbaric chambers have been helping people to recover from decompression sickness. So there is no need to wonder do hyperbaric chambers work.
In a hyperbaric chamber, you breathe oxygen with pressures at least three times greater than average.
How Do They Work
You will sit in a pressurized chamber and breathe 100 percent oxygen. This amount increases the level of oxygen present in the blood.
The higher the oxygen is in your blood, the more oxygen delivery to your organs and tissues you get.
The increase of oxygen encourages new blood vessels to grow, and it increases your body’s ability to fight off bacteria and germs.
Are Hyperbaric Chambers Dangerous?
Hyperbaric therapy was used for the first time unsuccessfully early in the 20th century. It returned in 1940 when the US Navy used hyperbaric oxygen to treat deep-sea divers who came down with decompression sickness.
Hyperbaric medicine is safe! Today it’s been approved to treat:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Injuries where you’re crushed
- Cyanide poisoning
- Decompression sickness
- Bone infections
- Radiation injuries
- Burns and traumatic injuries
- Flesh-eating disease
- Gangrene
- Skin grafts, flaps, and diabetic wounds that won’t heal
Hyperbaric medicine is also effective against dementia, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.
Often, Medicaid, Medicare, and health insurance companies will cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy. But check with your insurance company to verify your coverage.
Types of Hyperbaric Chambers
Usually, hyperbaric oxygen is done as an outpatient procedure, but you can also have it done when you’re in the hospital. Generally, there are two kinds of hyperbaric oxygen chamber:
- A chamber designed for one person where you lie down
- A room designed for multiple people where you can sit or lie down
Whichever chamber you use, you will still get the same benefits from the increase of oxygen.
Hyperbaric Chambers in a Wellness Center
Wellness centers like Earth Labs Nutrition are increasingly offering access to hyperbaric medicine treatments.
Your body is a wonder at healing itself, but there are times it needs a little help.
Hyperbaric chambers in a wellness center provide tremendous benefits by giving you the ease of accessing this therapy outside of a hospital setting.
Some wellness centers even offer units you can rent and use via an at-home rental program. Portable units allow anybody to access this treatment, even if they can’t leave their home.
Make Use of Hyperbaric Chambers
Now that you know how well hyperbaric chambers work, talk to your health care provider to see if it might be an option. You deserve to reach your best level of health and wellness.
If you enjoyed this guide, check out our blog for more health and wellness tips.
