Hyperbaric Chamber & Bulging Discs

The hyperbaric chamber is a machine that you lay in, very similar to a tanning bed. It is used to provide systematic relief of several ailments such as migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and anxiety. It also helps speed recovery from surgery, increases energy, endurance and concentration, relieves aching muscles and joints and gives a feeling of rejuvenation. It is frequently used by professional sports players.

Function

• The hyperbaric chamber emits pure oxygen inside of it, much like a tanning bed emits light rays, while the person lies inside. Because the quality of oxygen content that we breathe is continually being contaminated with other things such as smog and exhaust, the hyperbaric chamber is a good source of pure oxygen and safely and effectively allows the body to absorb more oxygen.

Types

• A multiplace chamber is a hyberparic chamber that several people can use at the same time. The oxygen is administered to each person through a face mask or some sort of close-fitting plastic hood. A nurse or assistant can go inside the chamber and assist the patient with the equipment or in case of emergency. Different gasses other than oxygen can be administered to each individual patient, such as a nitrogen or helium mixture, without interfering with the treatment of the other patients or the employee.

  A monoplace chamber is usually 100 percent oxygen and only has enough room inside for one person. The patient is usually lying on an inclined bed and the oxygen is administered into the chamber. Some chambers have breathing masks available for other gases such as air. The nurse or assistant can tend to the patient from outside of the chamber.

Herniated or Bulging Discs

• A herniated disc refers to the intervertebral discs located between each vertebra in the spinal column. These discs allow movement of the spinal column, absorb the effects of wear and tear on the neck and back and separate the vertebrae. A herniated disc is swollen in size, or bulging, and is very painful in the area in which the disc is located. If the bulging disc is swollen in a way that presses it against a nerve, it can also cause pain and discomfort in other areas of the body. A herniated disc in the neck can cause limited movement and pain in the neck as well as the arms. The arms may also feel numb or tingle. If the disc is in the back, the legs may experience some pain, numbness or tingling along with limited movement in the back.

Hyperbaric Treatment

• Although it is not yet scientifically proven, the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for bulging discs is becoming more accepted at chiropractic offices everywhere in the country. The logic behind this is hyperbaric oxygen treatments decrease inflammation and swelling in the body, which would influence a bulging disc to return to its normal size after several treatments. Hyberbaric oxygen treatments also increase the speed of injury healing in the body by allowing increased blood circulation and oxygen to permeate through the body. Check with your physician or chiropractor to determine if hyperbaric oxygen treatment would be beneficial for your ailment.

Risks

• Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very safe when used correctly, complications can occur. Oxygen poisoning, also called oxygen toxicity, can occur when a person is exposed to high doses of oxygen for an extended period of time. Excess oxygen causes chemical changes in the body that negatively affect cell processes.

  Other complications can occur as the result of increased pressure associated with the chamber treatment. This includes pain and bloody discharge from congested sinuses, ear pain and rupture of the eardrum. Infected or repaired teeth may become painful or explode if gas is trapped within them.