Hyperbaric Chambers For Athletes

Hyperbaric chambers for athletes are designed with a unique compression system. This system was originally developed as an alternative to oxygen therapy for pilots and soldiers that required high pressure levels in extreme situations. Soldiers in the war had very high altitudes where they were exposed to very high G forces. Because of this, they suffered brain injuries and even death if their helmets did not have the right protection. Pilots also needed this type of therapy because they often spend long amounts of time in the air without oxygen. Hyperbaric chambers were designed so that athletes could get high pressures of oxygen at will.

Athletes typically sustain injuries when their bodies are damaged by high G forces, compressed carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide. Compression chambers work by rapidly increasing and reducing the pressure of the fluids. In response to the increase in pressure, tissues are elongated and filled with more blood. The blood provides the necessary nutrients and oxygen to the injured tissues. With a lightweight, ergonomic design, easy assembly, and a handy carrying case, the OxyNova 5 can be ideal for athletes looking for a safer, more comfortable place to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

As a team doctor, I regularly recommend hyperbaric chamber therapy for all of my athletes with various injuries. During the spring and summer months, when players experience extremely high activity levels, their body suffers a greater level of stress from the added force of gravity. This can lead to a number of issues, including heat injuries, dehydration, muscle strain, swelling, and neurological damage. When I compare the pressures of standard therapies with those of hyperbaric chambers, I see an amazing difference.

During my office visits, I ask patients if they are experiencing any discomfort in specific areas of their arms, legs, or faces. Often, I hear complaints of pain, inflammation, redness, swelling, numbness, and headaches. When comparing standard therapies to those of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, I find that there is a marked reduction in inflammation, pain, swelling, numbness, and headaches. This is due in part to the proper oxygen supply that is provided to the tissues during treatment.

Athletes who suffer from a myriad of injuries and muscle strains also commonly suffer from a lack of proper oxygen supply. The oxygen that is administered in hyperbaric chambers is 100 percent pure. In comparison, most sports persons receive a reduced oxygen supply prior to, during, and after strenuous sporting activities. This reduced level of oxygen can reduce the healing process and hamper quicker recovery. An improved performance is obtained at a much earlier date when recovery from injuries is faster with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Concussions are often the result of a severe blow to the head. With the introduction of oxygen-rich environment into the body, there is increased blood flow to the brain which helps reduce the amount of time required for the brain to recover from a concussion. Athletes recovering from a concussion typically experience a number of symptoms including nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, headache, decreased concentration, and fatigue. While all of these symptoms may seem like the result of a minor trauma, if the head is slammed against a hard surface, there is the likelihood that the injury will be categorized as a concussion. By using a hyperbaric chamber for athletes, the risk of sustaining a concussion is greatly decreased.

Another benefit to utilizing hyperbaric chambers is the stimulation of the production of new blood cells. After each athletic event, the body needs to replace lost red blood cells. If there are not enough new cells being produced to replace the ones used in an event, an athlete may suffer from a deficiency of oxygen. A study was conducted, where subjects were exposed to a red-blood-cell stimulating environment while undergoing surgery. The results showed that there was an increase in new blood cells produced. This same study also showed that there was a reduction in the number of platelets being produced which is necessary for proper blood cell division.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been known to effectively decrease lactic acid levels after exercise which leads to an overall reduction in muscle strains and also an overall increase in muscular endurance. This is due to the increased oxygen flow that takes place during a hyperbaric chamber session. The recovery time between workouts is almost 33% less than that of anaerobic exercise, which is why this form of treatment is extremely popular among gym goers. In addition to decreasing muscle pain and swelling, there is also an increase in physical endurance.