HBOT Foire aux Quuestions
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy ?
HBOT is a simple holistic
treatment that consist of sitting or lying down in a sealed chamber
in which the pressure is slowly increased and the person breaths
room air (21% oxygen) or a higher oxygen concentration (24% to
100%). This pressure increases the oxygen level in the blood
plasma, the lymphatic liguid and the cerebrospinal fluid
where it can't get to at normal atmospheric pressure, therefore
flooding the tissues and all the cells in the body. This is improving
cellular metabolism and boosting the regeneration process. It
is well known mainly for its use with divers who experiene decompression
sickness (the bends), or carbon monoxide poisoning among other
indications.
How does HBOT work?
Hyperoxygenation - By increasing the
oxygen dissolved in the plasma (the liquid portion of the blood),
the lymphatic fluid, and the cerebrospinal fluid, HBOT increases
the oxygen available to damaged tissues, stimulating healing.
Neovascularization - HBOT stimulates
blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and collagen (connective
tissue) formation in areas that were previously resistant due
to lack of oxygen.
Hyperoxia enhanced antimicrobial activity
- HBOT reduces or eliminates the effects of toxic substances,
bacteria, viruses, and yeast by increasing the tissue oxygen
levels.
Hyperoxia enhanced immune response -
HBOT activates the white blood cells to fight infection, promoting
resistance to infection, as well as wound healing. HBOT also
helps to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
What conditions are treated with HBOT?
HBOT is FDA approved to treat air or
gas embolism, carbon monoxide & cyanide poisoning, crush
injury & acute traumatic ischemia, decompression sickness,
delayed radiation injury, diabetic foot ulcers, enhanced healing
of problem wounds, exceptional blood loss, gas gangrene, intracranial
abcess, necrotizing soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis (refractory),
skin grafts and flaps(compromised), and thermal burns.
Portable hyperbaric chambers are cleared
by the FDA to treat acute mountain sickness only. All other conditions
treated by portable hyperbaric chambers are considered off-label
uses. Many of these uses are quite commonplace internationally,
in countries such as Russia, China, Japan, Italy, and the U.K.
However, because these conditions are considered off-label in
the U.S., it means that insurance companies don't have to reimburse
you for the treatment of these conditions with HBOT, saving them
billions of dollars. It also means that Big Pharma's highly profitable
blockbuster drugs will continue to be the first course of treatment
for these conditions, despite their exorbitant costs, toxic side
effects, and detrimental long term effects on your health.
How does HBOT treat so many different
conditions?
HBOT treats the underlying disease process
that causes and perpetuates a wide variety of chronic conditions.
HBOT is used therapeutically to treat conditions in which tissues
have been damaged by oxygen deprivation. When the oxygen is restored
to these tissues, much of the lost function returns. HBOT also
helps to reduce inflammation and promote wound healing throughout
the body and the brain.
Are there many published studies on
HBOT?
There are over 30,000 published scientific
studies on HBOT.
What is mild HBOT?
Mild HBOT is hyperbaric oxygen therapy
at low pressures, typically at 1.3 ATA - 1.5 ATA. Mild HBOT is
available in portable hyperbaric chambers at 1.3 ATA - 1.5 ATA
with compressed room air.
What is hard HBOT?
Hard HBOT is hyperbaric oxygen therapy
at higher pressures, typically above 1.5 ATA. Hard HBOT is available
in monoplace or multiplace chambers with 100% oxygen.
What is the difference in clinical outcomes
between mild HBOT & hard HBOT?
While hard HBOT results in greater oxygen
saturation in the tissues, many conditions respond better to
mild HBOT. In all of the clinical trials to date, there has been
virtually no difference in clinical outcome between mild HBOT
with room air and hard HBOT with 100% oxygen. Please contact
your doctor regarding which type of HBOT is best for you.
What happens during the treatment?
For many people, a session in a hyperbaric
chamber is no different than an airplane flight. You need to
able to clear your ears to be comfortable. Once you have descended
to pressure and your ears adjust, you will feel completely normal
in the chamber.
If you are in a portable chamber with
room air, you can bring a portable computer or an ipod into the
chamber, along with beverages, blankets, and pillows. If you
are in a large enough chamber, you can sit, stand up, exercise,
or sleep. If you are in a smaller chamber, you can lie down and
read, listen to music, or watch videos.
What is the standard treatment protocol?
Many doctors recommend an initial group
of 40 sessions, one or two per day, for 60 to 90 minutes each,
5 to 7 days per week. After a two to four week break, a second
round of 40 sessions is usually recommended. For chronic conditions,
people often do hundreds of sessions over a period of years.
Please contact your doctor to discuss the best protocol for your
condition.
What is the typical cost of the treatment?
Hard HBOT in a hyperbaric clinic typically
costs $250 per session, or $10,000 for 40 sessions. Thus, the
standard HBOT protocol costs $20,000 for 80 sessions. Since many
people go on to do hundreds ofsessions over a period of years,
the costs can be very high.
Soft HBOT in a portable chamber typically
costs $75 - $100 per session with room air, and $150 per session
with an oxygen concentrator. Thus, the standard HBOT protocol
costs $6,000 - $12,000 for 80 sessions.
Portable chambers can be rented for
$1,500 - $3,000 per month, and you can do unlimited sessions
in one month's time. However, since it takes several months to
complete the standard protocol, and many people do hundreds of
sessions over a period of years, renting a chamber is impractical
in the long run. However, renting a chamber enables you to familiarize
yourself with mild HBOT before committing to buy a chamber.
Our portable chambers range in price
from $5,495 to $15,995, and they have excellent resale value.
For most conditions, portable hyperbaric chambers are your best
investment.
What is a SPECT scan?
A SPECT scan shows brain function by
mapping blood flow in the brain (cerebral perfusion). The scans
show areas of hypoperfusion, where brain activity is too low,
and hyperperfusion, where brain activity is too high. Before
and after SPECT scans show the changes in brain activity resulting
from HBOT. The cost of a SPECT scan is approximately $3,000.
Please contact your doctor to see if before and after SPECT scans
are advisable.
How safe is HBOT?
HBOT is incredibly safe. The most common
problem experienced by people undergoing HBOT is problems equalizing
the pressure in their ears.
How safe are hyperbaric chambers?
The greatest risks come from 100% oxygen
under pressure, which is extremely flammable. Monoplace hard
chambers use 100% oxygen under pressure, so safety precautions
must be taken when using these chambers. Portable chambers with
room air are incredibly safe, as room air under pressure is not
flammable.
Why do so few doctors know about HBOT?
Few medical schools offer classes or
training in hyperbaric medicine. Big Pharma is primarily responsible
for the medical education of doctors, starting when they are
medical students and continuing throughout their careers. The
majority of clinicians are on Big Pharma's payroll. Approximately
80% of continuing medical education courses are sponsoredby Big
Pharma. Approximately 90% of advertising in medical journals
is for prescription drugs. Big Pharma has turned doctors into
highly paid pill pushers who are often oblivious to the dangerous
side effects of many of the drugs that they prescribe. It's no
wonder that most doctors know little about the health benefits
of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
How can I learn more about HBOT?
The most comprehensive book about HBOT
is "The Oxygen Revolution: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: The
Groundbreaking New Treatment for Stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's,
Arthritis, Autism, Learning Disabilities and More" by Paul
Harch, M.D. This book is geared toward individuals who would
like to learn more about how HBOT works and what conditions it
treats. The book explores the science behind HBOT, as well as
the case histories of patients who have benefited from HBOT.
Portable Hyperbaric Chambers FAQ
How do your portable hyperbaric chambers
compare with other portable hyperbaric chambers on the market?
Our chambers are 35% to 50% less expensive
than comparable portable hyperbaric chambers. They are significantly
larger than comparably priced chambers. The 40" chamber
is large enough for two adults to sit up inside the chamber,
and an adult can sleep or exercise inside the chamber. A child
less than 40" tall can stand up inside the 40" chamber.
A child can sit up inside the 23" or 28" chamber. An
adult can walk into the vertical chamber.
The interior of our chambers is incredibly
bright compared to comparable chambers. You enter our chambers
from the side, which is easier than the top entry of comparable
chambers. Our oil-less compressors are quieter and more energy
efficient than comparable compressors. Our internal PVC frame
does not contain heavy metals, unlike comparable frames. Our
chambers pressurize and depressurize with the touch of a button,
which is easier than the manual controls on comparable chambers.
You can pause the compression and decompression if you need more
time to clear your ears.
If you purchase an overpriced chamber,
it can lose as much as 50% of its value within months of ownership.
Because our chambers are so reasonably priced, they have excellent
resale value.
What is included with your chambers?
Each chamber comes with 1-2 top windows,
1-2 end windows, 2 inflation valves,1-2 auxiliary valves, an
airtight two-way zipper, an external pressure gauge, medical
grade hoses, a mattress, a compressor, inflatable bolsters, a
travel bag, a carbon filter, and an internal PVC frame (optional
on the 23" chamber).
Can I use your chambers by myself?
Our chambers are incredibly easy to
use for self-treatments. All of the exterior controls are duplicated
in the interior of the chamber, and the zipper is double sided.
Are your chambers approved by the FDA?
Our chambers are Class II Medical Devices
that are cleared by the FDA for the treatment of acute mountain
sickness. The chambers are cleared for home and office use.
Can I use an oxygen concentrator with
your chambers?
Our chambers can be used with an oxygen
concentrator. However, the FDA has not approved the use of oxygen
concentrators with any brand of portable hyperbaric chambers,
so this is considered an off-label use.
Why are your chambers so much less expensive
than comparable portable hyperbaric chambers?
Buying a portable hyperbaric chamber
from a well known company is like buying a brand name brand prescription
drug. You are overpaying because of the excessive marketing and
advertising costs. Buying a portable chamber from Healing Dives
is like buying a generic drug. You are getting a great deal because
our advertising and marketing costs are minimal, since everything
is done on the Internet. The cost to manufacture a portable hyperbaric
chamber is the same, no matter who makes it, but we operate on
low profit margins, and we pass the savings on to our customers.
Why is my doctor encouraging me to purchase
an expensive chamber from him, rather than a reasonably priced
chamber from Healing Dives?
Never underestimate the power of medical
marketing. Doctors often prescribe new, brand name prescription
drugs when generic drugs are just as effective, but are a fraction
of the cost, due to the massive marketing efforts of the pharmaceutical
industry. The medical equipment industry is no different. Some
portable hyperbaric chamber manufacturers target their marketing
efforts at doctors, who are highly compensated for each chamber
sale. These doctors will lose thousands of dollars in profits
if you purchase your chamber from another source. As a result,
they will do all they can to discourage you from buying a chamber
from anyone but them.
Is it easy to assemble your chambers?
Our chambers are incredibly easy to
assemble. Even if you are not mechanically inclined, you can
assemble your chamber in approximately 15 minutes. The chamber
comes with an instruction manual and a set-up DVD, and we provide
unlimited tech support by phone during the set-up process. If
you prefer, our technician can fly to your house anywhere in
the world and set up your chamber, as well as instruct you and
your family in its operation. However, few people require this
level of service.
Where are your chambers manufactured?
Our chambers consist of an inflatable
bag, a compressor, hoses, gauges, valves, a mattress, a frame,
a travel bag, an instruction manual, and a set-up DVD. The inflatable
bag is manufactured in Europe. All of the other components are
manufactured and assembled in the U.S. by Summit to Sea.
How long have you been manufacturing
portable hyperbaric chambers?
Our team of experts have been manufacturing
portable hyperbaric chambers since 1982.
What kind of testing is done on your
chambers?
The chambers are tested at a maximum
pressure of 1.5 times the operating pressure. They are burst
tested at 1500 millibars.
Is financing available?
Our chambers can be financed or leased
for both business and personal use with no money down. Consumer
financing is available with 0% interest for up to 21 months.
Commercial leasing is available with a $1 buyback at the end
of the lease term. We also offer fully amortized consumer and
commercial loans. Monthly payments start at $150. Please contact
us for information on these financing options.
Can I rent a chamber?
We offer monthly rentals on all of our
chambers. A monthly rental will introduce you to hyperbaric oxygen
therapy without the financial commitment of purchasing a chamber.
Monthly rentals start at $995.
Do I have to pay sales tax?
You will pay no sales tax or handling
fees on your chamber purchase.
Do I need a prescription?
In the U.S., the chambers must be sold
to or on or the order of a state licensed practitioner. If your
doctor is not familiar with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we can
put you in touch with physicians with expertise in HBOT.
How long is your warranty?
The chambers come with a one-year warranty
for materials and workmanship, with an optional extended warranty
of up to 5 years.
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