History of HBOT

The use of compressed gas in medicine has ancient roots. As far back as 4500 B.C. free-diving (breath-holding dives) for mother-of-pearl was a distinct occupation. 

The first documented used of hyperbaric therapy actually came before the discovery of oxygen. In 1662, British clergyman named Henshaw used a system of organ bellows to change the atmospheric pressure in a sealed chamber called a domicilium. This domicilium could create both hyperbaric and hypobaric environments. Despite lacking any scientific basis for his theories, Henshaw believed that acute conditions would benefit from increased air pressure, while chronic conditions would respond better to decreased air pressure. 

Today, thousands of hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinics dot the globe with traditional hard-shell hyperbaric chambers and soft-shell, portable hyperbaric chambers. More and more people are becoming aware of the many benefits of HBOT for many conditions, such as autism, TBI, stroke, and those included under  “Internationally Treated Conditions” 

Benefits of HBOT:

HBOT is commonly used for overall health and wellness including anti-ageing and beauty, sports endurance and recovery, improving energy levels and in the treatment and management of chronic conditions and disease; it can also be a great cure for jet lag and hangovers!

When we age, our cells are starved of nutrients, but supplying oxygen to our cells can provide health, energy, and vitality. Most illness and injuries occur and linger in the tissue level, within the cells themselves. Our bodies depend on oxygen for survival, a lack of oxygen can decrease blood flow, damage muscle tissue, cause premature ageing, cause the hair to thin, and even affect the memory. 

By breathing up to 97% pure O2 in a pressurized chamber, the lungs can gather up to 3x more oxygen and blood absorbs up to 10x usual oxygen, thus significantly increasing oxygen uptake from tissues & cells.

Below we can see the various benefits of HBOT when comparing it against different sectors of health and wellness:

Anti-ageing and Beauty:

HBOT has been endorsed by the British Board of Anti-aging and Integrative Medicine for its ability to enhance beauty and for its anti-ageing properties. HBOT stimulates the production of collagen, improves skin elasticity, eliminates toxins and can also help to repair damaged skin. HBOT can promote healthy hair growth and help with weight loss, cellulite, wrinkles, acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.

Leading aesthetic doctors in London’s medical district refer patients to BelleCell regeneration clinic for hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive therapy to speed up recovery time following a cosmetic treatment. HBOT can improve bruising and swelling after aesthetic procedures such as lasers, chemical peels, facelifts and liposuction and enhance hair growth following a transplant.

Sports Endurance and Recovery:

Hyperbaric Oxygen is most commonly known for its use in athletic performance and injury recovery from competitive athletes to gym enthusiasts. O2 speeds up the healing of injuries from recovering after a work out to traumas and fractures, by up to 50%, and helps with pain relief. An increase of oxygen in the blood stream, tissues and cells also improves athletic performance and sports endurance; sports professionals use hyperbaric oxygen to give them a competitive edge.

Physiological Benefits of HBOT:

• Energy levels Increase and therefore so does ATP production.

• Increases blood flow to organs and cells used within day to day life.

• Decreases tissue repair time frames and increases the function of tissues, helping to utilize our muscles more efficiently whilst giving them enhanced amounts of O2 for repairing damage.

• Increases levels of mitochondrial biogenesis; This help cells within the body to adapt to changing energy requirements, such as calorie restrictions or increased energy demands such as exercise.