Mild Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (M-HBOT) enhances the body's natural healing process by inhalation of oxygen in a total body chamber, where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled.

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During m-HBOT, the added pressure allows extra oxygen to be absorbed and transferred from the lungs into the blood, causing a greater saturation of blood oxygen levels. As this rich oxygenated blood makes its way to damaged tissue, extra oxygen is now readily available and can be potentially utilised for enhancing tissue repair and regeneration while still providing its potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. 

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These increases are hypothesized to lead to quicker cellular growth and repair. During HBOT treatment, patients are put into a hyperbaric chamber where they breathe 100% oxygen while experiencing an increase in atmospheric pressure. With normal atmospheric pressure being 157mmHg, the increases reached within Mild HBOT can reach 988mmHg by using 1.3 ATA while breathing 100% oxygen.

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In recent years the use of mild HBOT, also known as low pressure hyperbaric therapy, has grown. Applications include treatment of sports injuries, cerebral palsy, brain and head injuries, dermatological conditions, stroke, and more. The increase in atmospheric pressure and oxygen saturation in the blood, during mild HBOT, is the foundation of thought that HBOT can lead to treatment of these conditions and ultimately quicker tissue repair.

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In the basic steps of tissue repair, oxygen is a key component to tissue healing. For example, during collagenization, collagen fibers form the primary foundation for ligament, tendons, and scar tissue. Excess amounts of oxygen are required to build the collagen fibers and to provide energy for the repair. The amount of collagen being formed in injured tissues is linearly related to the amount of oxygen available to the injured tissue

 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat several conditions, research is still inconclusive for some conditions, however, it's rare not to respond at all to m-HBOT:​

 

• Burns

• Crushing injury

• Sports Injuries

• Autism

• Bell's palsy

• Traumatic Brain injury

• Near Drowning

• Cerebral palsy

• Stroke

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Under normal circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the body only by red blood cells. With m-HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all of the body's fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone and can be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked.  In this way, extra oxygen can reach all of the damaged tissues and the body can support its own healing process.  The increased oxygen greatly enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria, reduces swelling and allows new blood vessels to grow more rapidly into the affected areas.  It is a simple, non-invasive and painless treatment.

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Studies have shown that mild HBOT at 1.3 ATA with oxygen supplementation brought on oxygen saturation levels nearest to 100%.

 

How does hyperbaric oxygen help a child with cerebral palsy (CP) or traumatic brain injurys (TBI)?

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In CP and TBI patients, some of the injured brain tissues may be "dormant" and non-functioning. HBOT can stimulate these "dormant" tissues and return them to more normal function.  In young children, cognitive function and spasticity can be improved.

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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, used in conjunction with other therapies, increases recovery possibilities for children with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.

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According to the research to date, all children with cerebral palsy respond to HBOT, however, the degree of response varies significantly from person to person. In some children, the response is immediate and dramatic, with major gains, and in others, the response is slow and steady, with the greatest improvements after 100+ sessions in the chamber.

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What you can expect:

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During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the air pressure in the chamber is about two times normal air pressure. The increased air pressure will create a temporary feeling of fullness in your ears — similar to what you might feel in an airplane or at a high elevation. You can relieve that feeling by yawning or swallowing.​​

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After hyperbaric oxygen therapy:​

You may feel somewhat tired or hungry following your treatment. This doesn't limit normal activities.

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Duration:  Therapy lasts approximately 1.5 hours as it takes 15 minutes to get to the correct pressure, 1 hour of therapy and 15 minutes to depressurise.

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Cost: R550 Per Session, Discounted to R 4 500 for a block booking of 10 sessions

Additional Discounts apply when HBOT is combined with ABM NeuroMovement sessions.

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