How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy heal wounds?
Learn the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound healing
At Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center, our wound patients have seen great results from undertaking hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). They come to us with many different types of wounds, often after traditional medical treatments have failed to help.
In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound healing. Keep reading to understand how HBOT works, and which types of wounds we’ve successfully treated with it.
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help wounds heal?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by exposing the body to an atmosphere of 100% oxygen, in an enclosed chamber where the atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled.
Exposing your body to 100% oxygen can accelerate the healing process by allowing more oxygen to reach damaged areas.
How does the process work?
- Normal blood flow
Air contains around 21% oxygen. When we’re healthy, the oxygen we breathe in is transported around our body in red blood cells. The oxygen diffuses into the surrounding tissue ensuring that it’s delivered to where it’s needed most.
- Restricted blood flow
When a wound causes a restriction (also known as an occlusion) in your blood flow, the red blood cells block the blood vessel and are unable to transfer oxygen to the cells on the other side of the occlusion. This causes swelling and starves the area of oxygen, causing hypoxia (a lack of oxygen). When this occurs, the tissue begins to break down.
- Hyperbaric Oxygenation
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy you breathe 100% oxygen under pressure, causing the oxygen to diffuse into your blood plasma. This oxygen-rich plasma is able to travel past the restriction, diffusing up to 3 times further into the tissue.
Feeding your body with 10–15 times the normal supply of oxygen in a pressurized environment helps to reduce swelling and discomfort, while providing your system with what it needs to help repair the tissue that’s been damaged.
- Neurovascular Regeneration
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy mobilizes circulating stem cells and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, to help speed up your body’s natural healing processes.
Want to learn more about this process? You can find a detailed explanation at https://hyperbaricsorlando.com/what-is-hbot/.
What types of wounds can hyperbaric oxygen therapy help with?
We’ve seen great results treating patients with these kinds of wounds, and more.
- Radiation injuries
- Infections
- Burns
- Certain skin grafts and flaps
- Crush injuries
- Diabetes related wounds
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also help speed up the recovery process from dental procedures, cosmetic surgery, and more.
If you’d like to learn the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound healing, feel free to contact our office. Our qualified team will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Call our office at (407) 530-0710 or get in touch on our Contact page.
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