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Sports Injury Recovery With HBOT

Sports Injury Recovery With HBOT

Jan 27, 2022 Posted by: Alexander Borsand, MD, ABLM, FMHC

Whether a patient’s injury is from sports or trauma, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a natural tool that may aid in the healing process and shorten recovery time.

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES HAVE BEEN UTILIZING HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TO REPAIR AND ENHANCE THEIR PERFORMANCE FOR YEARS

Patients healing from an injury face many challenges when attempting to get back in to the game or even back to work. If surgery is necessary, then recovery may take even longer and patients may require extensive rehabilitation.

HBOT is an option that may speed healing while minimizing the effects of these other challenges. The number of athletes and patients experiencing a high complication rate is attributable to blood supply disruption resulting ischemia, necrosis, infection, wound dehiscence, and excessive scarring. Inflammation plays a major role in the healing process, but can cause complications if not treated effectively. 

HBOT improves this by inducing new blood vessel growth and decreasing the inflammatory response through the activation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

Many surgeons now recommend pre and/or post-operative HBOT to their patients in order to enhance their healing, recovery and results. Sports Trainers promote HBOT to give a better foundation to the healing process.

BENEFITS OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR ATHLETES AND PATIENTS

Clinical studies have demonstrated the following benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients after traumatic or sports injury.

PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS

  • Quicker healing
  • Decreased inflammatory response
  • Less scarring, bruising and infection

ENHANCES HEALING AND RECOVERY

  • Reduces inflammation
  • Minimizes pain and discomfort
  • Reduces swelling
  • Promotes growth factors
  • Mobilizes stem Cells

SUPPORTS HEALING AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL

  • Promotes anti-inflammatory proteins
  • Improved angiogenesis enhancing blood flow to tissue
  • Induces fibroblast activation
  • Enhances collagen production

REDUCES RISK OF INFECTION

  • Elevates phagocytosis to above normal levels
  • Enhances microbial activity
  • Increases intracellular leukocytes

Source: International Hyperbarics Association

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31876671/

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