Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therpay

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mild Hyperbaric Therapy?
Mild Hyperbaric Therapy (HBT) is a safe method of delivering more oxygen to the body at the cellular level. HBT provides the optimal environment for the body to carry out vital cell processes, thereby increasing the capacity for the body to heal itself. HBT utilizes filtered pressurized ambient air to dissolve oxygen directly into the plasma, cerebral and spinal fluids, flooding tissues and vital organs with oxygen. Mild Hyperbaric Therapy allows for healing at the cellular level, which is critical for changes to be made which in turn affect healthy tissue formation, making it possible for healthier organs and ultimately a healthier body overall.

What is the difference between mild and deep hyperbaric therapy?
Mild Hyperbaric Therapy denotes pressures of 1.5 ATA and below, where as Deep Hyperbaric Therapy refers to pressures greater than 1.5 ATA including and beyond 3.0 ATA.

Are HBT and HBOT the same thing?
No, (HBT) refers to hyperbaric therapy without the addition of 100% oxygen and typically uses only compressed ambient air that has been filtered. (HBOT) refers to hyperbaric oxygen therapy which technically denotes that the patient is breathing 100% oxygen. This can be accomplished through utilizing a breathing apparatus such as a mask to deliver 100% oxygen or via pressurizing the chamber with 100% oxygen.

Can oxygen be used in a mild hyperbaric chamber?
Yes, the majority of mild hyperbaric chambers on the market come with an oxygen port for feeding oxygen directly into the chamber. It is not recommended by the manufacturers nor by any professional to fill the chamber with 100% oxygen. A safer and as effective method is to employ the use of a mask to breathe 95%-100% oxygen.

Are electronics safe to use inside a hyperbaric chamber?
Yes, as long as the chamber is not being filled with 100% oxygen electronics are extremely safe. Even when breathing 95-100% oxygen via a mask electronic devices can still be employed inside of a hyperbaric chamber.

Can more than one person go into the chamber at a time?
Yes, the only restriction here would be the size of the chamber and the comfort of those going in. In fact it is quite common for parents to undergo therapy with their children

How do (HBT) and (HBOT) work?
The hyperbaric chamber is filled with compressed ambient air and in the case of HBOT additional oxygen is provided. 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.

Why does it work?
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

Are there any side effects with mild hyperbaric therapy?
No dangerous side effects have been reported with mild hyperbaric therapy.

Some people experience a mild discomfort to the ears when pressurizing the chamber, not unlike during the ascending part of an airplane ride. This problem can usually be solved simply by slowing down the rate of pressurization and/or holding pressure until the sensation dissapates.

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. Activities that help promote elimination such as aerobic exercise, saunas, etc. will be beneficial in speeding up this process.

What about oxygen toxicity?
Oxygen toxicity typically applies to pressures above 2.0 ATA while using 100% oxygen. It is standard at these higher pressures to give "air breaks", in which the oxygen concentration is brought down to ambient air concentration every 30 minutes to combat this problem. If you are working with mild pressures (1.5 ATA and below), this should not be of concern.

What can I expect to happen during a session in the chamber?
If the session is taking place in one of the mild portable units; the chamber will seem smaller when deflated than it will when fully pressurized. Upon entry and sealing of the chamber it will take approximately one to two minutes for the chamber to inflate completely. After the chamber inflates, it will begin to pressurize. During pressurization 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.

How long does a session last?
Session duration may range anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Generally longer sessions are not administered as research and case studies support frequency of treatment to be more important than duration of treatment. For this reason, it is more common to perform two 60 minute sessions in one day rather than one two hour session.

What can I do during my hyperbaric session?
Most people prefer to simply relax while they are receiving treatment and a large majority actually fall asleep (which is perfectly fine). However, it is fine to read a book or utilize small electrical devices such as an IPOD, MP3 player, portable DVD player, cell phone, or laptop. Electrical devices are allowed in the mild portable hyperbaric chamber because these units are not filled with compressed oxygen. For this reason, the fire hazards and risks present in steel or glass chambers that are pressurized with pure oxygen are not present.

Are there any reasons a person should NOT go into the chamber?
Yes. You should NOT go into the chamber if you are intoxicated, if you have ear canal problems or an ear infection, if you are experiencing flu or cold symptoms, or if you are wearing perfume or cologne. It is also not advised that you utilize a mild hyperbaric chamber if you are pregnant. Although European and Russian research support the safety of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy and pregnancy, it is simply good practice to not undergo any unnecessary procedures while pregnant.