Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Effective, painless, non-invasive treatment for a variety of conditions.
Physician owned and operated. Always a doctor on staff.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Bend, Oregon
Dr. Erich Lieberknecht
Effective, Non-Invasive & Painless Treatment
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment which enhances the body’s natural healing process. This is achieved by the inhalation of oxygen enhanced air in a chamber where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled. It is used for a wide variety of treatments, usually as a part of an overall care plan.
Oxygen is normally transported throughout the body only by red blood cells. With HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all of the body’s fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone. This enables oxygen to be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked. HBOT allows extra oxygen to reach all of the damaged tissues and enables the body to support its own healing process. The increased oxygen greatly enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria, reduces swelling and allows new blood vessels to grow. HBOT is a effective, non-invasive and painless treatment.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Painless, Non-Invasive: treatment consists of 60-90 minutes sessions.
- Effective Treatment for Many Conditions: including inflammation, sports injuries, cancer, diabetes, anti-aging, stroke, neurological conditions, traumatic brain injuries, stem cells, autism, cerebral palsy and more.
- Minimal Side Effects: most patients experience no side effects. Very few side effect occur, such as minor pressure on the ears and sinuses, and usually resolve shortly after treatment.
Physician owned and operated. Always a doctor on staff.
The Science Behind Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the medical use of oxygen in a pressurized environment, at a level higher than 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA). Increased pressure allows for oxygen to dissolve and saturate the blood plasma (independent of hemoglobin/red blood cells), which yields a broad variety of positive physiological, biochemical and cellular effects. This noninvasive therapy is the most trusted way to increase oxygen levels to all organs of the body. The typical treatment lasts for 60-90 minutes, during which the patient lies down and breathes normally.
HBOT has been demonstrated in several clinical studies to enhance the body’s innate ability to repair and regenerate. It is used as an adjunct therapy to complement and enhance the healing process in both chronic and acute conditions.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Areas of Treatment & Benefits
Inflammation and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Inflammation is an integral part to numerous medical conditions and coincides with nearly all types of injuries and insults to the body. Some studies have reported inflammation in Autism, Stroke, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Traumatic Brain Injury and many other conditions. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been demonstrated to substantially decrease inflammation throughout the body. HBOT drives increased levels of oxygen into the body, which travels through the plasma, subsequently reducing inflammation and pain. Studies have shown that HBOT increases anti-inflammatory levels and provides increased cellular aid to heal target regions. As oxygen serves as one of the primary mechanisms to reduce inflammation, HBOT creates the environment where this process is stimulated and enhanced. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for inflammation with the following:
Support Anti-Inflammatory Process at the Cellular Level
- Decreases Acute/Chronic Inflammation
- Minimizes Pain & Discomfort
- Reduces Inflammatory Proteins
- Promotes Anti-Inflammatory Proteins
- Reduces Swelling
- Accelerates Tissue Repair and Healing
Reduce Brain Inflammation
- Reduces Severity of Autism Symptoms
- Supports the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke
- Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease
Decrease Gastrointestinal Inflammation
- Remediates Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Helps Improve Ulcerative Colitis
- Improves Nutritional Absorption
Relieve Soft Tissue/Joint Inflammation
- Remedies Arthritis
- Reduces Tendinitis
- Accelerates Recovery from Sports-Related & High Impact Injuries
Prevent the Onset of Chronic Inflammatory-Related Diseases
- Decreases Cancer Risk & Progression
- Reduces Rick of Coronary Heart Disease, Heart Attack and Stroke
- Improves Diabetic Conditions Linked to Inflammation
Sports and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Injuries caused by sport-related activities are a substantial concern among players, coaches and parents alike. As inflammation and pain play primary roles with respect to recovery, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation and ameliorate pain. Additionally, HBOT can promote fibroblast/collagen activity to accelerate and enhance healing from surgeries and wounds. New evidence supports HBOT as an adjunct and practical treatment to help moderate the effects of traumatic brain injuries and enhance SPECT imaging results. HBOT is often utilized by physicians and individuals to help reach a full recovery from high-impact insults to the body and is currently used by some of the U.S. Olympic Teams to treat sports-related injuries as a part of the official medical techniques and equipment. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for sports-related injuries with the following:
Accelerate Recovery From Sports-Related Injuries with HBOT
- Increases Collagen Production
- Reduces Inflammation & Pain
- Faster & Better Recovery from Sprains, Tears and Bone Fractures
- Enhances Recovery from Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
- Decreases Susceptibility Towards Re-injuring Target Areas
- Rapid Recovery form Concussions & Head Injuries
- Improves SPECT Imaging Results
- Stimulates Stem Cell Proliferation
Faster Recovery From Surgeries
- Increases Fibroblast Activation
- Reduces Inflammation for Optimal Pre-Op Conditions
- Reduces Risk of Infection
- Decreases Hospital Time
Amplify Recovery From Intensive Training
- Accelerates Healing from Acute Muscle Strain
- Improves Blood Flow
- Increases Energy
Cancer and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
In 2013, over 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer and over 500,000 cancer-related deaths occurred in the U.S. alone. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death world-wide, and new integrated treatments are being utilized to help combat its devastating effects. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is currently being utilized in conjunction with conventional treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, to attain optimal dosages for patients, stimulate tumor regression and reduce the side effects of treatments. Cancer thrives in hypoxic or low-oxygen environments and HBOT has been shown to increase these oxygen levels to weaken tumors and reduce their aggressiveness. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for cancer with the following:
Enhances “Conventional” Cancer Therapies & Treatments
- Increases Oxygen Levels in Tumors
- Better Radiation Therapy Results
- Improves Chemotherapy Outcome
- Enhances Brain Treatment
- Decreases Tumor Drug Resistance
- Allows for Optimal Therapy Dosage to be Attained
- Improves Surgical Results
Reduces Tumor Aggressiveness
- Weakens Hypoxic Tumors
- Targets Metastatic Tumors
Increases Natural Killer Cell Activity and Function
- Increases Reactive Oxygen Species Production
- Amplifies Cancer Cell Death
- Regresses Tumor Volume
Reduces Side Effects of “Conventional” Cancer Therapies & Treatments
- Reduces Radiation Therapy Side Effects
- Decreases Chemotherapy Side Effects
- Accelerates Post-Operative Healing & Prevents Infection
- Reduces Chemo-Brain Syndrome Symptoms
Enhances IV Cancer Treatments
- Increases Intravenous Vitamin C Therapy Effect
Cancer Prevention
- Decreases Inflammatory Markers
- Normalizes Intracellular Oxygen Levels
- Stimulates Cellular Detoxification
- Reduces Risk of Pathogenic Inflammatory-Related Tumors
- Supports Cellular Energy Processes for Optimal DNA Repair
Diabetes and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Diabetes effects more than 12 million people and is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. With diabetes primarily affecting the small blood vessels, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been demonstrated to stimulate angiogenesis compromised blood flow and prevent oxygen failure. Research has shown that HBOT can lower blood sugar levels by increasing cellular sensitivity to insulin and skeletal muscle reception of glucose. Furthermore, recents reports have provided evidence towards linking HBOT to regenerating pancreatic islets of Langerhans, thus potentially producing more insulin. HBOT is often beneficial in treating osteomyelitis and cellulitis, in addition to preventing systemic toxicity and permanent disability. With chronic diabetes, impaired circulation reduces wound healing capability and promotes ulcerations. HBOT increases the amount of oxygen available to ulcerated areas, leading to increased fibroblast activation. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for diabetes with the following:
Improves Blood Chemistry Profile
- Fasting Blood Sugar
- Hemoglobin HbA1C
- Lipid Profiles
Advance Glycemic Control
- Increases Pancreatic Islets of Langerhans
- Improves Insulin Sensitivity
- Increases Skeletal Muscle Reception of Glucase
Decreases Cardiovascular Risk
- Promotes Long-Term Blood Pressure Control
- Attenuates Metabolic Syndrome
- Reduces Risk of Sudden Heart Attack Due to Ventricular Arrhythmias
Stimulates Angiogenesis & Reduces Inflammation
- Improves Brain Function & Reduces Risk of Stroke
- Enhances Heart Function & Reduces Risk of Heart Attack
- Reduces Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy
- Decreases Risk of Diabetic Neuropathy
- Minimizes Risk of Diabetic Nephropathy
- Combats Cellulitis
Enhances Internal/External Healing
- Proliferates Epithelialization
- Promotes Closure of Non-Healing Wounds
- Decreases Risk of Infection
- Ameliorates Ulcerations
- Reduces Risk of Amputation
- Remediates Osteomyelitis
Anti-Aging and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Age-related diseases are a growing concern world-wide. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown, in some studies, to help combat degeneration by contributing to the regeneration of tissue and blood vessels. HBOT stimulates the development of new blood vessels in areas of the body where circulation is compromised and is utilized by some physicians to help treat Coronary Heart Disease, Macular Degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Arthritis and immune related diseases. Additionally, HBOT helps promote collagen activation to help battle the signs of aging including skin damage and elasticity. Clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for age-related degenerative conditions by providing cellular aid to all organs in the body to promote health and beauty.
Circulation and General Blood Flow
- Stimulates the Formation of New Blood Vessels
- Combats & Prevents Circulatory Diseases, Including Coronary Heart Disease & Diabetes
The Heart
- Improves Oxygenation to Cardiac Tissue
- Reduces Risk of Heart Attack
- Improves Heart Muscle Functioning After Heart Attack
The Brain
- Stimulates the Creation of New Brain Cells
- Promotes the Creation of New Brain Connections
- Improves Memory and Reaction Time
The Joints, Soft Tissue & Bones
- Enhances Treatment for Arthritis
- Accelerates Healing
- Reduces Inflammation & Pain
- Improves Mobility & Stamina
The Eyes
- Helps Combat Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Reduces Compromised Blood Flow to the Retina
- Moderates Glaucoma Symptoms
General Health with HBOT
- Increases Energy Levels
- Promotes the Creation of New Stem Cells
- Decreases Risk of Infection
- Reduces Stress & Anxiety
- Support the Immune System
The Skin
- Reduces Excessive Skin Damage From Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure
- Promotes Collagen Production & Maintains Skin Elasticity
- Improves Wound Healing & Reduces Scar Formation
Stroke and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and has remained a leading cause of adult disability with 800,000 cases reported every year. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to help prevent and treat stroke through a number of different mechanisms. HBOT can be used to precondition the brain by stimulating angiogenesis, thus producing more circulatory pathways throughout the brain and potentially decreasing the chance of stroke. Also, this has been shown to benefit post-stroke patients, as comprised blood flow to the affected brain tissue (penumbra) and its functionality are recoverable by introducing increased levels of oxygen. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for stroke with the following?
Stroke Prevention
- Simulates Angiogenesis
- Ameliorates Atherosclerosis
- Decreases Oxidative Stress in the Brain
- Preconditions the Brain to Enhance Neuroprotective Properties
Stroke Recovery
- Faster Overall Recovery
- Improves Vision and Speech
- Reduces Paralysis
- Accelerates Gross/Fine Motor Skills
- Increases Penumbra Tissue Recovery
- Stimulates Angiogenesis for Faster Reclamation
- Promotes Neurogenesis
- Enhances Stem Cell Proliferation & Mobilization
- Escalates Neuroplasticity
- Alleviates Spasticity
Neurology and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Approximately 1 billion people, of all ages, are currently affected by neurological disorders, with an estimated 6.8 million deaths that occur every year world-wide. This staggering statistical evidence illustrates the substantial impact of the neurological disorders throughout the world. New evidence presents how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is helping individuals regain neurological activity and functionality. For neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, in addition to neurological injuries, HBOT provides the brain with increased levels of oxygen to help recover/repair brain tissue, proliferate the creation of new brain cells and improve cognitive functioning. Clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for neurological conditions with the following:
Improves Brain Functioning & Performance
- Increases Circulatory Pathways in the Brain
- Improves Oxygenation to the Brain
- Enhance Memory and Mental Performance
Improves Brain Repair & Recovery
- Recovers & Repairs Damaged Brain Tissue
- Develops & Regains Cognitive/Motor Functions
Attenuates Nervous System Inflammation
- Reduces Brain Swelling
- Reduces Risk of Compromised Blood Flow to the Brain
- Decreases Pressure within the Skull
- Minimizes Oxidative Stress
Increases Regeneration of the Nervous System
- Stimulates the Creation of New Brain Cells
- Promotes the Construction of New Brain Tissue
- Facilitates the Formation of New Brain Connections
Improves Neurological Conditions
- Neurodevelopmental Conditions (Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
- Neurodegenerative Conditions (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s Disease)
- Neurological Injuries (Stroke, Traumatic Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, Concussions)
Traumatic Brain Injury and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability and death world-wide. According to the CDC, 138 people are affected by TBI every day and these injuries contribute to approximately 30% of all injury deaths in the U.S. In 2010, about 2.5 million TBI related hospitalizations were recorded in the U.S. alone. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in conjunction with intensive rehabilitation has been demonstrated to enhance recovery from TBI and augment brain activity by reducing hypoxia and neuroinflammation, while increasing circulation in the brain. Clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for TBI with the following:
Enhances Neurological Repair & Regeneration
- Attenuates the Effects of Hypoxia and Inflammation in the Brain
- Promotes Neurogenesis
- Moderates Mitochondrial Disorders
- Enhances Stem Cell Mobilization and Proliferation
- Increases Penumbra Tissue Recovery
- Stimulates Neuroplasticity
- Induces Remyelination
- Augments Concussion Recovery
Improves Overall Function
- Advances Cognitive Function
- Improves Gross/Fine Motor Skills
- Enhances Speech & Language
- Alleviates Spasticity
- Lessens Frequency of Seizures
- Stimulates Better Eye Contact
- Improves Balance & Walking
Stem Cells and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into numerous different cell types and serve as the body’s primary internal repair system. The innate ability of stem cells to differentiate into other types of cells with specialized functions (blood, brain, or tissue cells) replenishes and regenerates the body from the effects of aging and disease. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to significantly increase the concentration of circulating stem/progenitor cells within the peripheral circulation system. By increasing blood plasma oxygen levels, bone marrow deprived stem cells were shown to significantly proliferate and mobilize. The proposed mechanism of action was through a nitric oxide dependent mechanism. This evidence plays a key role in regenerative medicine as the increased number of stem cells in the body have the ability to provide enhanced and accelerated physiological repair. Studies have demonstrated HBOT’s therapeutic influence on stem cells with the following:
Enhances Stem Cell Activity
- Activates Nitric Oxide Synthase Type 3
- Proliferates & Mobilizes Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cells
- Improves Engraftment & Differentiation of Several Progenitor Cell Types in Organs such as the Spleen, Bone Marrow, Brain, Peripheral Nerve, Pancreas, Cartilage & Heart
- Increases in Colony-Forming Cells
- Stimulation of Stromal-Derived Growth Factor
- Promotion in Endothelial Growth Factor-2 for Angiogenesis
- Increases CD34 Expression & Pluripotent Stem Cells
Enhances Healing from Disease/Injury
- Accelerates Growth & Repair of Damaged Tissue
- Improves Tissue Regeneration & Organ Functionality
- Promotes Neurogenesis
- Stimulates Osteogenesis
- Ameliorates Diabetic Symptoms
- Enhances Recovery from Heart Attack
Autism and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
The alarming number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is recent years has tragically increased; from 1 in 150 in 2000 to 1 in 88 in 2008. Due to that increase, more and more parents have turned to alternative forms of treatment to counteract the underlying symptoms of autism. Traditional medicines have often failed at producing desired results for many patients with autism and their families. However, studies have demonstrated hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an emerging treatment that parents and physicians are utilizing to help ameliorate the effects of ASD. This non-invasive treatment is as simple as a one hour daily session, where the parent and child enter a hyperbaric chamber and receive increased levels of oxygen. HBOT has been shown to decrease inflammation and improve cognitive functions, which have substantially helped thousands of ASD patients. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for autism with the following:
Enhances Brain Healing & Repair
- Increases Oxygen Delivery to Hypoxic Tissues
- Reduces Neuroinflammation
- Moderates Mitochondria Dysfunction
- Promotes Neurogenesis
- Stimulates Stem Cell Proliferation & Mobilization
- Reduces Seizure Frequency
- Actuates Neuroplasticity
Improves Physical Function
- Promotes Receptive/Expressive Language
- Improves Movement & Walking
- Stimulates Better Eye Contact
- Improves Gross/Fine Motor Skills
Advance Mental Function
- Improves Sensory/Cognitive Awareness
- Increases Attention Span & Alertness
Improve Behavioral Function
- Improves Sleep Pattern
- Advances Social Skills & Interaction
- Reduces Aggression
Improve Digestive Function
- Attenuates Gastrointestinal Issues
- Decreases Inflammation
- Enhances Nutritional Absorption
Cerebral Palsy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects 1 in 303 children in the U.S. (8,000 new cases every year) making it the most devastating motor disability in childhood. This tragic disorder affects movement, posture and other motor skills and may result in the need for life-long care. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown, in some studies, to alleviate the effects of CP. Many forms of CP result from lack of oxygen to the brain. The affected brain tissue can be recovered or improved by introducing increased levels of oxygen. HBOT has been shown to be a promising treatment with multiple studies reporting improvements with its application. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for CP with the following:
Enhances Neurological Repair & Regeneration
- Reduces the Effects of Low Oxygen Levels on the Neonatal Brain
- Promotes the Creation of New Brain Cells
- Moderates Mitochondrial Disorders
- Enhances Stem Cell Growth & Mobilization
- Increases Brain Tissue Healing
- Escalates the Creation of New Brain Connections
Improves Overall Function
- Advances Cognitive Function
- Improves Gross/Fine Motor Skills
- Enhances Speech & Language
- Improves Memory & Concentration
- Alleviates Spasticity
- Lessens Frequency of Seizures
- Stimulates Better Eye Contact
- Improves Balance & Walking
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