8 Benefits of Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy was invented in the 17th century (then updated to the modern form we know now in the 20th century), but its full potential is still being explored – with new benefits being constantly discovered, and applied to treat a wider and wider range of conditions. HBOT is now easier to use than ever, and can be used for much more than treating serious medical conditions.

Oxygen therapy can greatly improve day-to-day life for just about anyone using it. In the sections below, we’ll explain what this therapy is, how it works, and outline eight benefits of using it. For those recovering from injury – or for those with busy schedules and high-pressure physical demands – HBOT can be more than a way to breathe easier; it can truly be a game-changer.

What Is Oxygen Therapy?

The modern version of oxygen therapy arrived during the 1940s, when the US Navy utilized it to reverse decompression sickness in deep sea divers. Since then, it’s been upgraded to serve many more uses. HBOT takes place in a clear, pressurized chamber, where the user’s body is flooded with 100% medical-grade oxygen.  

During treatment, the lungs take in ten times more oxygen than average while under these conditions, and the blood carries that oxygen throughout the rest of the body. Altogether, treatment lasts about 90 minutes to three hours, depending on need. It’s easy to relax during the process, with no participation needed from the person undergoing it in order for it to be successful. 

The Benefits of Oxygen Therapy

Accelerated Healing

Whether from accident, repeated trauma or surgery, HBOT can greatly speed up the healing process. When more oxygen gets pumped into the tissue surrounding wounds or injuries, healing is expedited, regrowing skin on the outside and restoring vitality on the inside. 

HBOT is particularly effective for wounds that have been resistant to other kinds of treatment, like diabetic foot ulcers. In fact, HBOT is a prime treatment for any kind of chronic diabetic injury, as well as any injuries stemming from radiation.

Reducing and Preventing Infection

HBOT is also helpful for reducing infections from these wounds, and for preventing further infection from spreading. When the bacteria that causes infections is exposed to a high concentration of oxygen, it can no longer survive, which ends the infection as well.

Improved Circulation

By breathing in triple the atmospheric intake, a powerful rush of oxygen is delivered into the bloodstream, and overall blood flow is improved. HBOT can improve circulation and deliver optimized myocardial perfusion quicker than many other treatments. 

In a recent study comparing traditional therapy for slow coronary flow with the effects of HBOT, half of the testing group received conventional treatment, while half also spent time inside the chamber. The results showed full improvement across the board for all using HBOT when compared to the control group, confirming the therapy’s potency.

Expedited Stem Cell Growth

Originally discovered by studying the treatment’s effects on traumatic brain injury, HBOT has been shown to enhance stem cell activation. When activated, stem cells can slow down – or in some cases, actually reverse the signs of aging, leading to a whole host of other benefits.

Treating PTSD

In another recent study, scientists treated military patients suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder over 13 weeks. By the end of the study, cognitive processing was enhanced and anxiety was greatly reduced for the vast majority of participants.

Other Benefits 

Other uses for Oxygen Therapy include:

• Improving sleep function
• Reducing jet lag
• Treating Carbon Monoxide poisoning

Experiencing The Benefits of Oxygen Therapy For Yourself

The countless benefits of HBOT don’t stop here. If you’d like to know more about how oxygen therapy can aid your life and heal you faster, reach out to CORR to learn more. Our team of experts can advise you on the best use of it for you, or pair it with any other treatment you’re receiving.