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Frequently Asked Questions
Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) is a form of therapy that safely increases the body’s oxygen uptake by raising the barometric pressure. Mild hyperbaric chambers are simple enclosures which can be pressurized to allow the person inside to experience greater than normal (1 ATA) atmospheric pressures of 1.3 ATA (similar to swimming in 11 feet of water). The pressure, combined with ambient air purified to 89-93% oxygen and delivered through a simple oxygen mask, forces the oxygen to dissolve into the body’s fluids and travel to areas of the body otherwise difficult to reach. The dissolved oxygen saturates the plasma, the lymph, the synovial (joint) fluid and the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) is a safe, drug-free therapy that can be used regularly without any danger of oxygen toxicity in the body.
1. What is Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT)? 4. What makes mHBOT so effective ? 5. Are there any side effects when using mHBOT? 6. What happens during my mHBOT session? 7. How long does an mHBOT session last? 8. Can I read and listen to music during my mHBOT session? 9. Are there reasons why a person should NOT seek out mHBOT? 10. How often can I schedule mHBOT sessions?
2. Is mHBOT a safe process? * YES! The hyperbaric chamber uses filtered ambient air, so there is no risk of oxygen toxicity to the body even with regular use. * The chamber can be depressurized and opened from the inside. * Once inside the chamber, both visual and verbal communication is possible with the outside, and there is also a buzzer for help. * Most people report a comfortable, relaxing experience and emerge from the chamber feeling refreshed. * This therapy is non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical, and there are no dangerous side effectsThis treatment is non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical, and there are no dangerous side effects reported. * The mild hyperbaric chamber is filled with compressed ambient air from 2 to 4.5 pounds per square inch. (1.3 ATA max) This is the equivalent of 11 feet below sea level.
* The increased pressure allows the blood plasma and other liquids of the body to absorb additional oxygen thus greatly increasing oxygen uptake by the cells, tissues, glands, organs, brain, and fluids of the body. * The resulting uptake of oxygen allows for increased circulation to areas with swelling or inflammation. At the same time, the increased pressure decreases swelling and inflammation. * Oxygen is then utilized by the body for vital cell functions, healthier cells equals healthier tissues, and organs. * The human body is capable of healing itself when it has what it needs. There is NOTHING the human body needs more than OXYGEN.
4. What makes mHBOT so effective? Henry's Law of Physics: * An increase in atmospheric pressure allows for more gas to be dissolved into any given liquid. * Oxygen, the 8th element on the Periodic Table, exists as a gas at room temperature. * The human body is composed almost completely of water. Gas … under pressure … dissolves in water No dangerous side effects have been reported with Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for your first session in a chamber: 1. Some people experience a mild discomfort to the ears when pressurizing the chamber, not unlike during the ascending part of an airplane ride. 2. Some people following their first few sessions experience slight fatigue as the body sweeps itself clear of toxic debris that has built up in the body. This is safe and necessary. 3. It is advisable that you wear comfortable, loose clothing. (Pantyhose and other tight garments may contribute to feelings of claustrophobia.) Bring something to read, as the sessions last about 60 minutes. You may want to bring a favorite cd, dvd player, portable game, etc. 4. Do not drink large amounts of fluids before entering the chamber. 5. Do not wear perfume or cologne when you are coming for your session. 6. What happens during my mHBOT session?
The chamber will seem smaller when deflated than it is when fully pressurized. Within one or two minutes the chamber will inflate completely, allowing enough room for an adult to sit upright or lie fully extended. After the chamber inflates, it will begin to pressurize. This is the time when you may experience pressure in your ears. The easiest way to relieve any discomfort this may cause is to equalize your ears using one or more of the following methods: 1. Close your mouth and firmly clamp your nose shut with your fingers and thumb. Blow, as if you were blowing your nose, but keep nose and mouth closed. You will feel the air come out through your ears when you have done this procedure correctly, and this should relieve the pressure. 2. Yawn. Stretching your mouth as wide as possible, even stretching your tongue out. This will cause the sinus passages surrounding your ears to drain and relieve the pressure. 3. If you are the parent of a small child who is having trouble with their ears during pressurization, try massaging the area just below the ears and right behind the jaw. A baby still on the bottle or pacifier should be given either of these, but if your child is likely to spill drinks in the chamber please try to monitor them with liquids. 4. Sit upright. Turn your head completely to the right, then completely to the left. Repeat earlier steps until the ears are cleared. A session lasts 60 minutes at pressure. It will takes us a few minutes to get the chamber up to full therapuetic pressure and then a few minutes to depressurize the chamber at the completion of your session. So your session will actually be a few minutes longer then 60 minutes.
8. Can I read and listen to music during my mHBOT session?
1. Listen to music, (we have CD players and a selection of music, or you may bring your own) 2. Talk on your cell phone. 3. Play handheld games. 4. Watch movies on portable DVD player. 5. Work on laptop computer. 6. Read books or magazines. Yes. You should NOT go into the chamber if you are inebriated (drunk), if you have ear canal problems or an ear infection, or if you are experiencing flu or cold symptoms. Also please do not enter the chamber wearing perfume or cologne. We do have individuals who are sensitive to chemicals that might enter the chamber after you. We will make a recommendation for you based on your needs after an initial evaluation. However, there are no issues with taking mHBOT sessions daily.
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About HBOT 

