Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100 percent oxygen at pressure levels that are two to three times greater than normal atmospheric pressure. Elevated pressure and oxygen concentration promotes higher levels of oxygen in the blood and allows the lungs and body tissues to absorb oxygen in greater amounts. This process speeds recovery and accelerates healing.
Because it promotes blood flow and increases oxygen circulation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is proven effective when treating the following conditions:
- Complications arising from prior radiation treatments
- Compromised skin grafts
- Chronic bone infections, including aseptic necrosis of bone
- Gas gangrene infections
- Chronic diabetic foot ulcers
- Intracranial infections
- Acute ischemia