WHAT IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT)?

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HBOT is a method of delivering extra oxygen into the body, mainly through the process of increasing the pressure that the body is normally under. Once the chamber is pressurised, up to 100% oxygen is typically administered for the full duration of the treatment. For chronic or hard-to-heal wounds, this dosage is typically repeated daily from anywhere between 10 and 80 hours.​

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WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE?

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The leading proponents of HBOT recommend a minimum of 20 sessions and preferably up to 40 in the initial schedule. Following 40 sessions, you may re-evaluate for discernible benefits before proceeding.

 

If you have local areas of concern, you may combine this procedure with Near Infrared Light therapy, providing a focused approach, which we have found has provided noticeable benefits when applied even for just once or twice per week.

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HOW LONG DOES EACH SESSION LAST?

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Hyperbaric sessions at Rebody are typically 60 minutes.  The total session time must consider the time to both pressurise and depressurise, which are approximately five minutes each.

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HOW DOES IT FEEL?

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As the chamber is being pressurised, air presses on your eardrums and pushes them inwards. This pressure feels like the pressure that you feel in your ears when you are flying in an aeroplane. Most people automatically and easily adjust to these pressure changes, while reporting no adverse effects. In the case of HBOT, we would encourage you to signal your attendant immediately if you have discomfort in your ears or sinuses. Don’t wait until it really hurts. The attendant will stop pressurising and decrease the pressure until you are comfortable and able to equalise the pressure. When you’re comfortable the attendant will resume pressurising. Here are some techniques in helping to equalise your ears:

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• Try to swallow or yawn. Turn your head to one side and swallow, then turn to the other side and swallow. Repeat if necessary.

• Pinch your nose closed, close your mouth, and lift the front-tip of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth. Attempt to blow through your pinched nose (short and sharp) but not too forcefully. This directs air from your throat into your ears and sinus air passages.

• A third method combines these techniques: try swallowing and wiggling your jaw while blowing gently against your pinched nose.

• If you have a history of problems with the ear when flying or traveling in the mountains you may wish to use nasal decongestants before the first few treatments.

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WHAT IS MY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE SAFETY?

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Your role is quite simple: to show up on time, communicate with our staff and attendants each time, and let them know if there are any changes in your health. For example, you may have reported on your first visit that you were not pregnant, but when you come in for multiple visits, it is your responsibility to let us know if there are any change in your health, and in this example, it would be ‘if you are potentially pregnant’. This is the reason why the checklist for on-going hyperbaric sessions must be answered each time you go into the hyperbaric chamber.

 

This is for your safety and once again it is your responsibility to let us know each time you go in if there are any changes in your health.

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WHAT ARE THE RISKS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND AREAS OF CONCERN?

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HBOT is very simple, non-invasive, and safe procedure. HBOT has demonstrated excellent safety records and generally is an extremely safe procedure. Serious adverse reactions are very rare, and generally not seen at lower dosages.

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WHEN CAN I NOT ENTER THE CHAMBER?

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The only absolute contraindication for HBOT is an ‘untreated pneumothorax/collapsed lung’. Anyone needing to enter a hyperbaric chamber with an untreated pneumothorax needs to have a chest tube inserted and evaluated by a medical practitioner before entering a hyperbaric chamber.

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MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECT/ADVERSE REACTIONS

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• Ear/Sinus discomfort: This occurs in about 10% of the population during the hyperbaric pressurisation period. Taking extra time and making routine stops will help to reduce discomfort and is recommended as a precautionary measure for all clients undergoing HBOT.

• Claustrophobia: Since you are in a closed environment, claustrophobia may occur. This is completely different from being in an MRI machine, as you can freely move around and can get out by yourself. Once the body acclimatises to the inside environment and feels comfortable with full control, the procedure is typically well-tolerated. 

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Areas of Concerns, Risks, and Relative Contraindications

• Severe lung or heart disease: This is because we would not want fluid to build up into the lungs.

• Uncontrolled Diabetes: This is because we do not want the blood sugars to drop too low if HBOT was combined with overdose of diabetic drug therapy.

• History of Seizure or Uncontrolled fever: This is because we would be concerned with exacerbating seizure activity, particularly if blood sugars are low.

• Changes in Vision: This is rare and a temporary change in vision that has been associated with higher pressure over extended time in HBOT. Changes in vision include getting either a little worse (Myopia) or better (Presbyopia).

  • NOTE: these cases are rare and associated with higher oxygen dosages. If you notice any changes, please let the attendant know and don’t worry as the vision tends to go back to its original state within 3 months from discontinuing the sessions. For that reason, it is not advised to change prescriptions during this time.

• Cataracts: Though HBOT cannot cause cataracts, this procedure may cause formed cataracts to mature more quickly.

• Pregnancy: As a precaution, HBOT is not used during pregnancy unless indicated for acute life-threatening conditions.

• Current upper respiratory infections, chronic sinusitis, or sinus problems: These conditions cause a higher probability of problems during pressurisation and are generally recommended to be treated before going into HBOT.

• Electronically Implanted Medical Device: Whilst mild HBOT at Rebody is extremely safe, you may wish to consult your GP before starting treatments to ensure compatibility with our machine.

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IS IT WARM INSIDE?

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The air warms as we pressurise (before your session) and cools as we depressurise (after your session).

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WHAT ABOUT SMOKING AND OTHER ODORS?

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Smoke and other odors on your clothes are accentuated within the confines of the pressurized chamber. Try to minimize the detrimental effect of smoking on HBOT results by abstaining within 1-hour pre and post treatment. Please do not use strong scented perfumes or deodorants.​