Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Description Exposes the patient (or an extremity) to a: High breathable oxygen environment High air pressure Saturates blood with oxygen Used For Wound healing Soft tissue healing* Sprains Strains Contusions Inflammation Delayed onset muscle soreness Following cerebral strokes Treatment of the Bends * Efficacy as not been substantiated Theory High air pressure decreases the size of gas bubbles in the blood 2 to 3 times that of normal air pressure High oxygen (100%) intake saturates the blood plasma with increase in oxygen delivered to healing tissues Decreases hypoxia Increases phagocytic and fibroblastic activity Biophysical Effects Blood Flow Increased oxygen levels cause increase in oxygen delivered to the tissues Maybe especially beneficial to avascular structures: Achilles’ tendon Rotator cuff Biophysical Effects Wound Healing Improved by: Oxygen accelerating phagocytosis Decreasing hypoxia Antimicrobial effect Increased ATP levels Biophysical Effects Tissue Regeneration Improved wound healing assists tissue regeneration Increased rate of fibroblast proliferation Also used for: Fracture healing Reducing delayed onset muscle soreness Lacking clinical evidence Precautions Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should only be administered by trained personnel Too great of pressure may rupture the tympanic membrane Increased risk with an inner ear infection Decongestants may help prevent this Can increase the output of bodily gasses Contraindications Pregnancy Inner ear infection Tympanic membrane rupture Upper respiratory infection Sinus conditions Lung disease Asthma Seizure disorders Optic neuritis Pneumothorax Claustrophobia Instrumentation Chamber May hold one or more people Oxygen Administration Treatments administered at 95 to 100% O2 Oxygen delivered via an air mask Pressure Adjusts the chamber temperature from 1 to 3 atmospheres
