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Welcome back to our educational series focusing on mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy! Last time we learned about what mHBOT actually is and what the benefits are. Today we jump into the science behind how it actually works.
As a quick review, mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or mHBOT, involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber at a slightly higher than normal level of atmospheric pressure to enhance the body's intake and utilization of oxygen. This positively impacts the body’s healing and recovery time, cellular metabolism is improved, and various other aspects of general health and wellness benefit due to better oxygen circulation.
What is the science behind mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
So how does mHBOT actually work to positively impact our body?! Break out your inner science nerd because it’s about to get real!
Oxygen Delivery at Increased Air Pressure
mHBOT provides 100% oxygen at increased air pressure in a special chamber. This increased pressure helps the lungs to gather more oxygen than what would be possible at normal air pressures. The additional oxygen is then carried throughout the body via the bloodstream, aiding in fighting bacteria and healing wounds.
Physiological Impact
The process operates on both a cellular and physiological level by increasing the oxygen dissolution in plasma. This is rooted in the principles of Boyle's law and Henry's law, which describe the relationships between the pressure of a gas and its volume and concentration, respectively.
Improving Oxidative Metabolism
mHBOT can improve the oxidative metabolism in cells and tissues by providing an adequate oxygen supply at appropriately high atmospheric pressure (between 1266–1317 hPa) and increased oxygen concentration (35–40% oxygen). This process is designed to enhance cell and tissue function without causing barotrauma (injury caused by increased air pressure) or the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (harmful byproducts of oxygen metabolism).
Healing Enhancement
mHBOT is used to speed up the healing process for conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, stubborn wounds, and infections where tissues are deprived of oxygen. By entering a special chamber where the air pressure is 1.5 to 3 times higher than average, the body can absorb more oxygen.
Increased Oxygen Circulation
The elevated pressure in mHBOT allows for a greater dissolution of oxygen in the blood plasma. This can lead to improved circulation of oxygen, especially to body regions with restricted blood flow, and support the recovery of injured tissues. This is particularly beneficial in medical situations where improved oxygen supply to damaged tissues is essential.
Next week we’ll give our inner science nerds a break and talk about what a mild hyperbaric oxygen session entails.
Ready to get started with mHBOT now?! Call us at (402) 934-9931 to schedule your appointment or you can request an appointment online by clicking below. We offer both memberships and a la carte packages to suite our client’s individual needs.