Do You Need Intensive Healing for Your Brain?

Whether you are an athlete recovering from an injury or concussion, are dealing with a mental health concern or just want to stay in optimum condition, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) may be right for you. People all over the world have recovered from serious diseases and conditions with the help of HBOT.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

HBOT works as its name implies: hyper (more of) and baric (pressure). HBOT uses the power of oxygen to create a healing environment for your body. Increased air pressure can signal the DNA in your cells to perform healing tasks the body normally can’t do. HBOT has been used for decades to reintroduce scuba divers to standard atmospheric pressure. In recent years, HBOT has found many uses in the medical and mental health professions.

How Does It Work?

During an HBOT session, a patient lies down in a pressurized chamber and begins to breathe normally. With increased pressure, the lungs can gather up to 3 times more oxygen than would be possible breathing at normal air pressure. This pressurization allows oxygen to be pushed deeper into the tissues throughout the body. Healing is promoted by maximizing the amount of oxygen in the blood that can reach the injured area.

What Does It Treat?

HBOT has been used to improve many conditions, including:

• Sports injuries
• Burns
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Decompression sickness (“the bends”)
• Diabetic ulcers and complications
• Non-healing wounds
• Parkinson’s disease
• Lyme disease
• Migraines
• Multiple sclerosis
• Vascular dementia
• Post-surgical healing
• Cerebral palsy
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Stroke

Benefits of HBOT

HBOT can enhance mitochondrial function, boost the immune system, and increase stem cell and ATP production. HBOT supports the white blood cells’ ability to fight infection, helps the body build new connective tissue, and may kill certain types of harmful bacteria.

HBOT patients have reported reduced headaches, depression, and irritability, as well as improved sleep, cognition, mood and memory. While HBOT is often used for healing the body, it can also be effective in helping the brain.

HBOT and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBIs caused by physical trauma and sports-related activities are a major concern for your brain health. HBOT has been shown to reduce inflammation and the effects of hypoxia (lack of oxygen). HBOT may also increase blood circulation to underactive portions of the brain, which enhances recovery and stimulates healing. HBOT can help TBI patients by: improving cognitive function, supporting the growth of new neurons and stimulating neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and grow.

HBOT and Memory

There is evidence that HBOT may slow the progression of serious memory problems by increasing blood flow to the brain. In addition to sharper recall, some individuals who’ve used HBOT have also experienced quicker reactions in speech and thought. Since HBOT helps provide more oxygen to the brain, it can help to improve brain regulation and overall cognition, including memory.

HBOT and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

HBOT has been successful at improving cognitive and behavioral functions in autistic patients by compensating for decreased blood flow in affected areas of the brain.

For autism spectrum patients, HBOT has been shown to:

• Improve cognitive and sensory awareness
• Promote quality sleep
• Reduce aggression
• Advance social interactions

If you know someone who struggles with any of the above conditions, use these 3 proven strategies for preserving and restoring the brain:

Protect Your Brain

Since there’s an increased risk associated with multiple hits to the head, do everything you can to take care of your brain. Even though protecting your head should be a no-brainer, it’s helpful to be reminded of some practical brain safety tips that can reduce your risk of head trauma, such as: avoid high-risk sports where you can hit your head, remember to wear a seatbelt when in a vehicle and always wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, bicycle, skateboard, snowboard, skis or rollerblades.

Get Moving

Exercise is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to keep your brain healthy. Physical activity can increase blood flow and other positive nutrients to the brain, naturally boost dopamine levels and generate new brain cells. Walking can help clear your mind, improve your mood and burn some calories all at the same time. It’s recommended that you “walk like you’re late” for 45 minutes, 4 days a week.

Take a Look

How can you really know if you have a head injury unless you get an image of your brain? Brain SPECT imaging is the best tool for determining if your brain has suffered functional damage from a concussion or TBI.

Brain SPECT imaging can:

• Help identify if there has been brain trauma
• Show brain blood flow deficits NOT visible in anatomical studies, such as CT or MRI
• Identify affected brain systems
• Help determine if there could be co-occurring conditions that need treatment
• Increase treatment compliance by showing pictures of results
• Provide scientific documentation that may help with special services or legal issues
• Help identify therapies, which may include HBOT, that can help heal your brain

Our Full Evaluation includes two SPECT images (concentrating and resting states), a detailed clinical history, neuropsychological testing and comprehensive evaluation with one of our doctors to target treatment specifically to your brain, using the least toxic, most effective means.

If you or a loved one have suffered a concussion or TBI and are experiencing anxiety, depression, aggressive behaviors, or memory loss, call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit.