About Hyperbaric Therapy

How does hyperbaric therapy work?

Research into hyperbaric therapy began in 1662, while research into hyperbaric oxygen began with the US Navy in 1934.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is breathing greater-than-air oxygen (21%) at greater than 1 atmosphere of pressure. This does two things: 1) increasing the amount of oxygen in red blood cells, and 2) enhancing dissolution of oxygen in blood.

Our soft-shell chamber pressurizes to 1.3 atmospheres. This is known as Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT). While in the chamber, you’ll breathe 90+% pure oxygen via a canula.

Some conditions that mHBOT has been used for include:

  • Autoimmune disease
  • Autonomic Dysregulation
  • Burns/Wound Healing
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
  • CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)
  • Concussion/mild Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Crohn’s/IBS
  • Depression
  • Headaches
  • Lyme
  • Migraines
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Musculoskeletal injury
  • Neuropathy/Nerve Injury
  • Pain
  • Post concussion syndrome
  • Post-surgical healing
  • Sports Injury/Athletic Recovery
a soft-shell hyperbaric chamber

Contraindications

Please note the following conditions may prevent you from using mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy:

  • Untreated tension pneumothorax
  • Severe respiratory disease (COPD/Emphysema with air trapping)
  • Certain types of lung disease
  • Upper Respiratory Infections
  • Pacemakers or epidural pain pumps

You should also avoid HBOT if you’re taking any of these medications:

  • Cisplatin
  • Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®)
  • Mafenide Acetate (Sulfamylon®)

About Me

I’ve had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since 2011 and have used hyperbaric oxygen therapy since 2017.

I’ve done 100+ “dives” at this point and can confidently recommend hyperbaric oxygen as an ongoing wellness tool.

While in the chamber, I find the concentrated oxygen lifts my mood, gives me a more positive outlook and fosters creativity. In short, it’s just a pleasure being in there.

Outside the chamber, regular sessions have led to improved sleep and facilitated more physical activity than I could do otherwise.

HBOT has been a potent tool for improving my quality of life. I’m pleased to now offer mHBOT therapy to the community of Midcoast Maine.

I’m a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, graduated with a BA in Eastern Religion, and have a biohacking blog, selfpoweredrecovery.com. Find more of my writing at Health Rising and Pen Bay Pilot.