Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a painless and non-invasive specialised oxygen treatment, that effectively enhances the body’s natural healing. It does this by using controlled pressure in a hyperbaric chamber and elevating the oxygen concentration to around 90-95%, in contrast to the ambient air’s 21%. In just one session, it can boost your bloodstream’s oxygen levels by over 1000%. HBT allows blood plasma to absorb up to ten to fifteen times more oxygen at pressures greater than sea level. Your blood carries this oxygen throughout your body. This helps fight bacteria and stimulate the release of substances called growth factors and stem cells, which promote healing.

HBOT supports the body to: Increase the amount of oxygen carried by the blood Enable the oxygen to be dissolved into the hard-to-reach plasma, lymph, and fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord Stimulate the development of new blood vessels where circulation has been compromised Promote collagen, bone, and cartilage repair and regeneration Reduce swelling and inflammation Mobilize and stimulate an increase of stem cells within damaged tissues and in bone marrow Strengthen the immune system and stimulate the release of stem cells Increase superoxide dismutase, one of the body’s most crucial antioxidant and free radical scavenger

To name a few conditions that can benefit from treatment: Health Optimisation Sport performance and Injuries Positive ageing/preventive care Pre and post surgical recovery Skin conditions Crohn's disease Helping hormones and boosting mood Traumatic Brain Injuries Fibromyalgia / ME / Chronic Fatigue Chronic Pain Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Stroke Crohn’s disease Lyme Disease Pre and post surgical recovery Skin conditions Crohn's disease Helping hormones and boosting mood Autism

In terms of HBT, pressure is normally quantified in ATA and currently we are all standardised to be less than 1.0 ATA of atmospheric pressure. When someone undergoes hyperbaric therapy, the pressure becomes greater than 1.0 ATA. We offer a range of 1.3 - 2.0 ATA. Each atmospheric pressure represents 33 feet of seawater, so at 2.0 ATA, it would be equivalent for you to be at a depth of 33 feet below sea level. Higher the pressure, higher the oxygen levels.

As the chamber is being pressurized, air presses on your eardrums and pushes them inwards. This pressure feels like the pressure that you feel in your ears when you are flying in an airplane. Most people (90%) automatically and easily adjust to these pressure changes, while reporting no adverse effects. If you are in the 10% minority, then the only problem that you may experience with this is either discomfort or pain in your ears or sinuses, like that which you would feel if you were congested while landing from an airplane. The only difference is that you 'cannot tell the pilot on an airplane to stop'. In the case of HBT, we would encourage you to signal or use the internal phone to call the practitioner immediately if you have discomíort in your ears or sinuses. Don't wait until it really hurts. The attendant will stop pressurizing and decrease the pressure until you are comíortable and able to equalize the pressure. When you're comfortable the practitioner will resume pressurizing. Our attendants are well experienced at dealing with these cases and are willing lo work with you as required. Here are some techniques in helping to equalize your ears: Try to swallow or yawn. Turn your head to one side and swallow, then turn to the other side and swallow. Repeat if necessary. The Valsalva Maneuver - Pinch your nose closed, close your mouth, and lift the front-tip of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth. Attempt to blow through your pinched nose (short and sharp) but not too forcefully. This directs air from your throat into your ears and sinus air passages. A third method combines these techniques: try swallowing and wiggling your jaw while blowing gently against your pinched nose. Now that's coordination! If you have a history of problems with the ear when flying or traveling in the mountains you may wish to use nasal decongestants before the first few treatments.

It is suggested you come to your session in comfortable cotton clothing. We have extra pillows and blankets at the clinic for your comfort. It is recommended that you have a drink of water before entering the chamber and use the bathroom as you will be in there for approx 60-90 minutes. You are welcome to bring with a book, magazine, or you can watch something relaxing or a movie on the TV that is positioned outside the chamber in full view.

At the start of the treatment session, oxygen starts flowing in through the oxygen mask, and pressure in the chamber gradually increase. During this time you may feel a bit of discomfort similar to ascending or descending in an airplane. This fullness should only last about 5-8 minutes and an experienced LOC hyperbaric chamber operator will guide you to relieve any ear pressure. Once treatment pressure is reached, you can relax and just breathe normally. Near the end of the treatment session, the hyperbaric technician will gradually decrease the pressure in the chamber which takes from 10 -20 minutes depending on the individual and the pressure reached. During this decompression stage, it is common for patients to experience a slight popping sensation in the ears as a result of the change in pressure. The majority of patients find hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions to be relaxing.

During pressurization of the chamber, you may experience ear pressure similar to that felt during takeoff on an airplane. To alleviate any discomfort, you can equalize your ears using the following methods before and during the treatment: 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. 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. You can also massage the area just below the ears and right behind the jaw. If you are with your child in the chamber who is having trouble with their ears during pressurization, try the same massaging technique to make the decompression more comfortable. Turn your head completely to the right, then completely to the left. Repeat the earlier steps until the ears are cleared. If you have a history of problems with the ear when flying or traveling in the mountains you may wish to use nasal decongestants before the first few treatments.

Safety is our number one priority. We have serious and strict guidelines as to what is allowed into the hyperbaric chamber. LIST OF PROHIBITED ITEMS: DEODORANT OINTMENTS, ALCOHOL MAKE-UP, LIPSTICK, CHAPSTICK ALCOHOL BASED LOTIONS, CREAM, GELS PETROLEUM JELLY AND PRODUCTS PERFUME OR COLOGNE NAIL POLISH FRESHLY PAINTED (Less than 24 hours) HAIR SPRAY, OIL, GEL, CLIPS, PINS JEWELRY, WATCH, RINGS HARD CONTACT LENSE HEARING AIDS, EAR PLUGS, BLUETOOTH WIGS, HAIR EXTENSIONS, TOUPEE SYNTHETIC FIBERS; NYLON, 100% POLYESTER, SILK,WOOL, LYCRA, SPANDEX ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT; CELL PHONE, IPOD, TABLETS PERSONAL WARMING DEVICES (i.e. THERAPEUTIC CHEMICAL HEATING PADS, HAND WARMERS, POCKET WARMERS) REMOVABLE DENTURES LIGHTER, MATCHES, TOBACCO

Immediately after your Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy session you may feel a little out of sorts for the first few minutes. This happens because your body is adjusting to regular air and the changing air pressure. Once the body re-adjusts you are free to get on with your day. Your body will also be able to take in more oxygen for up to 8 hours after your session.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has a cumulative effect, most people see a noticeable differences after 5 or more sessions, but this is individual to everyone and cannot be guaranteed. The leading proponents of HBT recommend a minimum of 20 sessions and preferably up to 40/60 in the initial schedule. Following 40 sessions, you may re-evaluate for discernible benefits before proceeding.

The chamber is manually operated so in the unlikely event the session needs to be ended early, one of our trained team members will be able to release the pressure and bring you out within a couple of minutes or longer depending on the pressure you are at. This is for your own safety and to prevent trauma to your ears

Hyperbaric sessions are typically 60 minutes but can vary from 30 -120 minutes. If you need to leave early, please indicate this at the start of the session.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered extremely safe. it is usually well tolerated with few side-effects. While rare, risks of the procedure include: Middle ear injuries/ Barotrauma of the ear Sinus congestion and pressure Temporary near-sightedness Claustrophobia Oxygen toxicity Seizures Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is performed under hyperbaric oxygen chamber operator’s supervision. All appropriate measures are taken to prevent any possible adverse effects and you will be assessed for suitability before your treatment. Our chamber has an intercom and we encourage clients to communicate with us during treatment to avoid any discomfort so we can support them to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience.