SPORTS & HYPERBARICS

Injuries caused by sports 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 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 (TBI) and enhance brain scan 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 their 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
  • Reduces Risk of Infection
  • Faster & Better Recovery from Sprains, Tears & Bone Fractures
  • Stimulates the Creation of New Blood Vessels
  • Enhances Recovery from Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) & Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
  • Decreases Susceptibility Towards Reinjuring Target Areas
  • Rapid Recovery from Concussions & Head Injuries
  • Improves Brain Scan Results

Faster Recovery From Surgeries with HBOT

  • Accelerates & Enhances Healing
  • Reduces Inflammation for Optimal Pre-Surgical Conditions
  • Reduces Risk of Infection
  • Stimulates the Creation of New Stem Cells
  • Decreases Hospital Time

Amplify Recovery From Intensive Training with HBOT

  • Accelerates Healing from Muscle Strain
  • Improves Blood Flow
  • Increases Energy Levels

Enhance Performance with HBOT

  • Improves Concentration
  • Increases Serotonin Levels
  • Accelerates Jet Lag Recovery
  • Decreases Lactic Acid

Study: NFL Athlete Improves Cognitive Functioning with HBOT

In 2011, a case report was published involving an NFL player who suffered multiple concussions. This subsequently led to the development of hydrocephalus (accumulated fluid within the brain), which required
emergency shunt brain surgery. The star athlete continued playing and won the Super Bowl, only for his shunt to fail, which led to additional emergency back-to-back surgeries. Following his surgeries, he received 40, one hour treatments of HBOT. After the treatment protocol, he was independently assessed with neurocognitive evaluations and brain scans by the Amen Clinic in California. Marked improvement in 5 out of 6 indices on the MicroCog assessment for cognitive functioning (a computerized assessment sequence designed to detect early signs of cognitive impairment) was confirmed, in addition to drastic enhancements with respect to his brain scan.

NEUROLOGY & HYPERBARICS

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 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:

Improve Brain Functioning & Performance with HBOT

  • Increases Circulatory Pathways in the Brain
  • Improves Oxygenation to the Brain
  • Enhance Memory and Mental Performancee

Improve Brain Repair & Recovery with HBOT

  • Recovers & Repairs Damaged Brain Tissue
  • Develops & Regains Cognitive/Motor Functions

Attenuate Nervous System Inflammation with HBOT

  • Reduces Brain Swelling
  • Reduces Risk of Compromised Blood Flow to the Brain
  • Decreases Pressure within the Skull
  • Minimizes Oxidative Stress

Increase Regeneration of the Nervous System with HBOT

  • Stimulates the Creation of New Brain Cells
  • Promotes the Construction of New Brain Tissue
  • Facilitates the Formation of New Brain Connections

Improve Neurological Conditions with HBOT

  • 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)

Study: Brain Function Improves with HBOT

A prospective, randomized, crossover, controlled trial was published in 2013 testing the effectiveness of HBOT for improving brain function and quality of life for mild-traumatic brain injured patients suffering chronic neurocognitive impairments. A total of 56 patients, 1-5 years after injury, with prolonged post-concussion syndrome were evaluated. Patients in the treated group were assessed prior to HBOT and after 40 HBOT sessions. Whereas patients in the crossover group were evaluated three times: prior to HBOT, after a 2-month control period of no HBOT and after 2-months of 40 HBOT sessions. Significant improvements were confirmed in cognitive function and quality of life in both groups after HBOT, however, no significant improvement was observed following the control period. HBOT was shown to induce significant brain function improvements, the creation of new brain connections and increased brain activity.

www.ihausa.org/neurology