In terms of HBT, pressure is normally quantified in ATA (atmospheric pressure) and currently is standardized to be less than 1.0 ATA of atmospheric pressure. When someone undergoes hyperbaric therapy, the pressure becomes greater than 1.0 ATA (hospitals and in wound care centers can typically reach 2.0 or even 3.0 ATA through hardshell chambers).  Each atmospheric pressure represents 33 feet of seawater, so at 2.0 ATA it would be equivalent for you to be at a depth of 33 feet below sea level.

There are hard shell and soft shell chambers. Hard shell chambers are used in hospitals and wound centers and can withstand higher pressure. Mild hyperbaric chambers are under lower pressure, sometimes with added oxygen and sometimes without - use only ambient air. This is much safer than 100% oxygenated chambers.

The FDA approves hyperbaric treatments for only the following 14 conditions (everything else is considered “off-label” use): decompression sickness, gas embolism, carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning, gas gangrene, selected aerobic and anaerobic soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, intracranial Abscess, management of fungal disease, radiation injury to tissue, exceptional blood loss slash anemia, crush injury/compartment syndrome, this schema reperfusion injuries, skin grafts and flaps, healing in selected problem wounds, treatment of thermal burns, and idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Typical treatment pressures range between 2.0 and 2.5 ATA for most of these 14 conditions. ·

Additionally, the FDA has cleared use for altitude sickness: treatment pressure is 1.3 ATA (also known as mild hyperbaric therapy or m-HBT).

Off label indications prescribed by a doctor: many doctors and clinical researchers in the field of hyperbaric medicine believe that HBT may help many more conditions and improve quality of life. Please be aware that if you are using this to treat a medical condition better than the 15 conditions listed above, then the FDA considers this an "off label" treatment and wishes you to make sure that you have sought out all FDA approved treatments first and fully understand the benefit to risk ratio before making your decision. Typical treatment pressures vary between 1.3 and 2.4 ATA

General health and Wellness: HBT is becoming more popularized for this physiological and energetic support being achieved from the surplus levels of oxygen created when breathing in a hyperbaric environment. Typical pressures used for general health and Wellness range between 1.3 and 2.0 ATA (again, 1.3 ATA is often described as mild hyperbaric therapy or m-HBT).

Note, not everyone is fit for being in a pressurized environment so if you are using HBT for its physiological benefits to support overall health and Wellness, proper hyperbaric fitness screening by a healthcare provider is required before undergoing m-HBT sessions.

The FDA once again cautions the use of HBT or MHBT if it's not used for one of the 14 approved medical conditions or for altitude sickness respectively. Although these lower pressures have both been reported to have significant benefits, which are now being supported and validated through clinical research trials, we would still encourage you to follow the FDA guidelines in looking into medically approved options if you are looking at using HBT to help with a medical condition (I have to say that).

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very simple, non-invasive, and a safe procedure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has demonstrated excellent safety records and generally is an extremely safe procedure. Serious adverse reactions are very rare, and generally not seen at lower dosages.

ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATIONS - Untreated Pneumothorax: The only absolute contraindication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an ‘untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung)’. Anyone needing to enter a hyperbaric chamber with an untreated pneumothorax needs to have a chest tube inserted and evaluated by a medical practitioner before entering a hyperbaric chamber.

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECT/ADVERSE REACTIONS

1) Ear/Sinus discomfort: This occurs in about 10% of the population during the hyperbaric pressurization period. Taking extra time and making routine stops will help to reduce discomfort and is recommended as a precautionary measure for all clients undergoing HBT.

2) Claustrophobia: Since you are in a closed environment, claustrophobia may occur. This is completely different from being in an MRI machine, as you can freely move around and can get out by yourself. Once the body acclimatizes to the inside environment and feels comfortable and with full control, the procedure is typically well-tolerated.

Areas of Concerns, Risks, and RELATIVE Contraindications

• Severe lung or heart disease: This is because we would not want fluid to build up into the lungs.

• Uncontrolled Diabetes: This is because we do not want the blood sugars to drop too low if HBT was combined with overdose of diabetic drug therapy.

• History of Seizure or Uncontrolled fever: This is because we would be concerned with exacerbating seizure activity, particularly if blood sugars are low.

• Changes in Vision: This is rare and a temporary change in vision that has been associated with higher pressure over extended time in HBT. Changes in vision include getting either a little worse (Myopia) or better (Presbyopia).

NOTE: these cases are rare and associated with higher oxygen dosages. If you notice any changes, please let the attendant know and don’t worry as the vision tends to go back to its original state within 3 months from discontinuing the sessions. For that reason, it is not advised to change prescriptions during this time.

• Cataracts: Though HBT cannot cause cataracts, this procedure may cause formed cataracts to mature more quickly. • Pregnancy: As a precaution, HBT is not used during pregnancy unless indicated for acute life-threatening conditions. • Current upper respiratory infections, chronic sinusitis, or sinus problems: These conditions cause a higher probability of problems during pressurization and are generally recommended to be treated before going into HBT. • Claustrophobia: Some clients may suffer from Claustrophobia. This is managed by maintaining communication, use of relaxation techniques and mild sedation, if necessary. If you have a problem with this condition, please let us know.

Lower pressure protocols at 1.3 to 1.5 ATA can effectively deliver these higher levels of oxygen, while allowing for greater safety. Note, it does not take much pressure to deliver extra amounts of physiologically available oxygen. The added pressure allows extra oxygen to be absorbed and transferred from the lungs into the blood, causing a greater saturation of blood oxygen levels. As this rich oxygenated blood (and plasma) makes its way to damaged tissue, extra oxygen is now readily available and can be potentially utilized for enhancing tissue repair and regeneration while also still being able to provide its potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

Traditionally, hyperbaric oxygen is defined as breathing 100% oxygen under pressure. However ambient air still contains 21% oxygen and when you breathe it under pressure, more oxygen will get transferred into the body. More importantly, the extra oxygen enters the blood plasma and gets oxygen into much deeper areas (IE where inflammation impedes blood flow) and in places where red blood cells cannot normally reach. This is a great technique to achieve greater levels of oxygen without the associated risks of being in high oxygen environments.

If greater oxygen dosages are required to localize tissue, then the procedure can be combined with low level light therapy (LLLT) at wavelengths between 650 and 880 nanometers. Flexible light pads delivering the Lt. Can be used directly over the area being treated. This combination of low pressure hyperbaric therapy with LLLT is often termed TH BT or targeted hyperbaric therapy, as this procedure basically points to an area of the body to help deliver the effects of the HBT to the focused area. This is a targeted approach. Both therapies have been individually shown to exert positive effects, but the combined approach has recently been reported to have much greater effects. While still in its research phase, LLLT may prove to be a powerful tool for localizing the effects of HBT.

You can also use Light Therapy independently of chamber use. Appointments are required. Fees: $30 per every 20 minutes.

The reported benefits using hyperbaric oxygen therapy have typically been from those who have had one to two sessions per day (with a 4-6 hour interval between the start of each session for those who have two sessions per day). The leading proponents of HBT recommend a minimum of 20 sessions and preferably up to 40 in the initial schedule. Following 40 sessions, you may reevaluate for discernible benefits before proceeding.

There is usually a re-evaluation halfway through whatever serries you select. Then again at the end of your series. There is a third re-evaluation that is highly recommended 3-6 weeks after you finish your series. Healing continues to happen well after a series concludes so it is best to connect and go over your health status at that time. These re-evaluations are 30 minutes and are an add-on time/fee to any HBT appointment.

If you have local areas of concern, you may combine this procedure with near infrared light therapy, providing a focused approach, which we have found has provided noticeable benefits when applied even for just once or twice a week.

Hyperbaric sessions (time IN the chamber) are typically 60 minutes but can vary from 30 to 120 minutes. Sessions that last more than 60 minutes can take longer, as five-minute air brakes may be required. This is for safety precautions (generally recommended when pressures exceed 2.0 ATA).

The total appointment time is generally 75 min. This allows time to do a quick check-in, run vitals, and includes the time to both pressurize and depressurize the chamber. Lower pressure protocols will take less time to pressurize/depressurize (as little as 5 minutes each way), while higher pressure protocols will take longer (up to 25 minutes each way).

Your first session will be 90 minutes and includes more time for the on-boarding process. This first visit can be counted toward a package (with the add-on of a $55 consultation and on-boarding fee). If you decide this is not a good fit, then you will only be charged the initial consult fee.

Please note: There is usually a re-evaluation halfway through whatever serries you select. Then again at the end of your series. There is a third re-evaluation that is highly recommended 3-6 weeks after you finish your series. Healing continues to happen well after a series concludes so it is best to connect and go over your health status at that time. These re-evaluations are 30 minutes and are an add-on time/fee to any HBT appointment.

PRESURIZATION:

As the chamber is being pressurized, air presses on your eardrums and pushes them inwards. This pressure feels like the pressure that you feel in your ears when you are flying in an airplane. Most people, approximately 90%, automatically and easily adjust to these pressure changes, while reporting no adverse effects. If you are in the 10% minority, then the only problem that you may experience with this is either discomfort or pain in your ears or sinuses, like that which you would feel if you were congested while landing from an airplane. The only difference is that you cannot tell the pilot on an airplane to stop. In the case of HBT, we would encourage you to signal to your attendant immediately if you have discomfort in your ears or sinuses. Don't wait until it really hurts. The attendant will stop pressurizing and decrease the pressure until you are comfortable and able to equalize the pressure. When you're comfortable the attendant will resume pressurizing. The key to avoiding pain is good communication.

CLAUSTROPHOBIA:

During your initial consultation and on-boarding appointment, you will be able to try the chamber at your comfortable pace. It may take a few sessions to get up to full time (dosage). and that's okay! Packages are not sold until you have had your first session. If you have no claustrophobic issues then this first visit can be counted toward a package (with the add-on of the $55 consultation fee). If you decide this is not a good fit, then you will only be charged the initial consult fee.

IS IT WARM INSIDE? The air warms as we pressurize (before your session) and cools as we depressurize (after your session). Ventilation keeps the air moving when it is warm, and blankets are available if you become cold.

WHAT ABOUT SMOKING AND OTHER ODORS? Smoke and other odors on your clothes are accentuated within the confines of the pressurized chamber. Try to minimize the detrimental effect of smoking on HBT results by abstaining within 1-hour pre and post treatment. Please do not use strong scented perfumes or deodorants.  

Your role is quite simple: to show up on time, communicate with your attendant each time, and let them know if there are any changes in your health. For example, you may have reported on your first visit that you were not pregnant, but when you come in for multiple visits it is your responsibility to let us know if there are any changes in your health (and in this example, it would be if you are potentially pregnant).

There will be a quick checklist (questions and vitals) for ongoing hyperbaric sessions that must be done each time you go into the hyperbaric chamber. This is for your safety and once again it is your responsibility to let us know each time you go in if there are any changes in your health.

The short answer is YES. However, in this sense, "membership" is simply reflecting a legal business structure. There is a nominal annual fee (to maintain admin costs) and membership agreement (that's the legal part), but the rest operates like any other appointment based business with standard fees and processes. Please see the membership page for more information and the rationale behind this way of doing business! https://abundanthealthministries.com/memberhome

Please note: HBT is referral based. This is not referring to a doctor referral (although that may be required). Everyone who wants to have HBT care must be referred by someone already in the Abundant Health Ministries membership. This is to protect the membership and its members. If you are not sure if you qualify, please reach out via this link and schedule a free 15 minute phone consult: https://abundanthealthministries.com/hbtconsult

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