Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Introduction to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) uses centrated oxygen in a pressurized chamber to speed up healing, reduce inflammation, and support recovery from injuries or surgery. Dr. Chase Lay in San Jose offers this therapy as more of a holistic approach to care, helping patients recover faster and feel their best. Whether you’re healing from an injury or just looking to feel rejuvenated, HBOT could be the boost you need.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), you breathe in pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This helps accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration. HBOT is used for conditions like chronic wounds, infections, and surgery recovery. By increasing oxygen levels in the blood, HBOT supports the body’s natural repair processes. While safe for most people, it should be discussed with a healthcare provider to ensure suitability for individual needs.
What Are the Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber to enhance healing and recovery. It increases the oxygen supply to tissues, promotes faster healing, and supports the body’s natural recovery processes. HBOT is particularly beneficial for treating conditions like severe burns, chronic wounds (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers), radiation injuries, and certain infections. It also supports the healing of skin grafts, enhances recovery after surgery, and may improve symptoms in conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and traumatic brain injury.
Beyond the approved uses, many individuals turn to HBOT for general wellness, boosting energy levels, reducing inflammation, and supporting recovery from intense exercise. While the treatment is FDA-approved for specific conditions, research continues to explore its broader potential.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is suitable for many individuals, particularly those dealing with certain medical conditions or aiming for overall wellness. The best candidates for HBOT include:
- Patients with chronic or non-healing wounds
- Individuals with sports injuries
- People with chronic pain or inflammation
- Those recovering from surgery
- Patients with neurological conditions
- Individuals seeking general wellness
However, it’s important for individuals to consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether HBOT is appropriate for their specific health needs.
What’s the First Step?
The first step to beginning Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Lay in San Jose. He will evaluate your full medical history to determine if HBOT is the right treatment for you. After your consultation, Dr. Lay will develop a personalized treatment plan to ensure the therapy effectively addresses your unique needs.
What to Expect on the Day of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment
During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, you breathe in pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The treatment is designed to help your body heal by increasing the amount of oxygen delivered to tissues. This promotes faster recovery, reduces inflammation, and boosts overall healing.
Once inside the chamber, the air pressure gradually increases to about 1.5 to 2 times the normal atmospheric pressure, allowing your body to absorb oxygen more efficiently. You’ll breathe in 100% oxygen for 60 to 90 minutes. Some chambers are equipped with entertainment options, so you can relax, read, or watch TV during your session.
The process itself is not invasive and feels mostly like lying in a quiet space with mild pressure changes in your ears. This pressure sensation, similar to what you feel during a plane’s descent, is temporary and usually passes quickly. The key benefit of HBOT is the high concentration of oxygen, which accelerates healing by stimulating collagen production, enhancing circulation, and reducing inflammation, helping the body repair more efficiently.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Recovery
Some people may experience mild side effects after the session, such as slight ear discomfort from the pressure changes, which usually resolve quickly. It is important to note that due to eustachian tube dysfunction. Some patients are not good candidates for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Additionally, if a person has severe claustrophobia, they may not be a good candidate for most chambers.
Swelling, fatigue, or lightheadedness can also occur but generally dissipate within a few hours. For the first 24 hours, avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting to allow your body to absorb the oxygen and initiate the healing process fully.
While rare, some individuals may experience a slight feeling of claustrophobia during the session or a temporary change in vision due to the high pressure, but these effects are typically brief.
How Much Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Cost in San Jose, CA?
The cost of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in San Jose, CA, can vary depending on the clinic location, the type of chamber used, and the medical condition being treated. Typically, a single session in a clinic setting may range from about $100 to $350. However, multiple sessions are often needed to achieve optimal results, especially for conditions like chronic pain or recovery from surgery.
To get a clearer idea of the exact costs, especially if you have specific needs, it’s a good idea to consult directly with Dr. Lay.
Why Choose Dr. Lay?
Dr. Chase Lay, a board-certified Head & Neck Surgeon in San Jose, CA, specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including areas like Asian eyelid surgery, otoplasty, scar revision, and fat transfer. Board certified with the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF), Dr. Lay and his experienced team are dedicated to providing exceptional care and effective treatments tailored to each patient’s needs. If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of HBOT, contact our San Jose office today for a consultation. Dr. Lay will guide you through treatment, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you’re considering Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and want to learn more about its benefits, contact Dr. Lay’s office in San Jose, CA, to schedule a consultation.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy FAQs
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Painful?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is generally painless, though some people may feel mild pressure in their ears due to changes in the air pressure inside the chamber. This sensation is similar to what you experience when flying and can be relieved by swallowing or yawning. Most patients find it tolerable, and the procedure itself is non-invasive and well-tolerated.
How Many Appointments Will I Need?
The number of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sessions you’ll need depends on the condition being treated and your personal response to the therapy. For general wellness or skin rejuvenation, people often start with a series of 10-20 sessions, with treatments occurring two to five times a week. Doctors may recommend a longer course for more specific conditions, such as chronic wounds or certain types of infections. The exact number will be tailored to your needs, and your progress will be monitored so that the treatment plan can be adjusted accordingly. Always consult a professional to determine the right protocol for you.
How Long Until I See the Results?
For general wellness and skin rejuvenation, you may notice improvements in energy levels, skin texture, and overall well-being after just a few sessions. However, more noticeable results, like wound healing or improvements in chronic conditions, typically take 10-20 sessions, with ongoing progress after each treatment. For deeper conditions, such as infections or injuries, it can take a few weeks before significant results are observed.
Results continue to improve after therapy, but maintenance sessions may be necessary to sustain benefits.
Can I Combine Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy with Other Procedures?
Yes, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can often be safely combined with other treatments. For example, it works well in conjunction with aesthetic procedures like microneedling, HydraFacial, or post-surgical recovery treatments. The therapy’s ability to accelerate tissue repair and reduce inflammation can help speed up healing after surgeries or procedures, improving outcomes.
It is also beneficial when combined with physical therapy or chiropractic care for patients recovering from injuries, as it boosts oxygen levels to tissues, aiding recovery. Additionally, many people pair HBOT with detox or wellness programs for enhanced detoxification and rejuvenation.
What Are the Risks Associated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
While Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is usually a safe procedure, there are some potential risks and side effects to be aware of:
- Barotrauma
- Oxygen toxicity
- Claustrophobia
- Some people may experience mild discomfort, such as dizziness, fatigue, or headaches during or after treatment.
- Fire hazard: The use of pure oxygen slightly increases the risk of fire, though modern hyperbaric chambers are designed with safety measures to prevent this.
It’s always essential to have a consultation with Dr. Lay to determine if HBOT is suitable for your condition and to ensure that you’re closely monitored throughout the treatment.