Increase in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Use

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is becoming increasingly popular among mainstream medical practice, particularly in southeastern Massachusetts.

The Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton is planning to open a hyperbaric center in the upcoming year and two other facilities have recently been built.

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

In the past, this type of therapy has been widely used to treat smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

However, researchers have recently found that it can also help to treat conditions such as autism and cerebral palsy.

“It’s just now becoming more accepted and widely prescribed. That’s why more facilities are getting chambers,” explains Dr. Grace Doherty, the medical director at the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Center.

How the Treatment Works

When a patient receives the treatment, they breathe 100 percent oxygen, five times the typical amount, for several hours at a time inside a chamber that has pressure that is reportedly greater than sea level.

This pressure is said to force oxygen into the bloodstream, which kills any bacteria that exists and helps new blood vessels to grow.

Most patients need to have between 10 and 40 treatments for cerebral palsy before seeing any significant changes; however, according to Dr. Joseph Tito, who works at the Center for Wound Healing, the repeated treatments are worth it, because “it truly does work.”

(Source: Enterprise)

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