Managing chronic pain can involve a multifaceted approach featuring medication, nerve and spinal cord stimulation, physical therapy, and psychological therapy. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle modifications or treatment in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Also known as HBOT, hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers pure oxygen to your cells and tissues to stimulate healing and regeneration. Here’s the role of HBOT in managing chronic pain:
Increases Oxygen Supply
Poor blood circulation can cause chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, neuropathic pain, and post-stroke pain. When blood flow is restricted, tissues are deprived of oxygen, which may lead to ischemia and muscle degeneration. Ischemia lowers the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy source cells need to function properly, while also increasing lactic acid in tissues. This imbalance can cause further damage. Injuries that cause inflammation or damage to capillaries may also restrict blood flow to muscles, worsening ischemia.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves sitting inside an enclosed chamber where pure oxygen is pumped under pressure. The chambers saturate your lungs and blood with oxygen, allowing more oxygen to reach tissues with restricted blood supply. Increased oxygen supply helps prevent ischemia-related tissue damage by reducing lactic acid buildup and restoring ATP levels. This process can promote healing and reduce pain by improving blood flow and oxygen supply to affected areas.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is your body’s natural response to pain, injury, and infection. Chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and musculoskeletal disorders are accompanied by inflammation. HBOT reduces inflammation by saturating your blood and tissues with oxygen, which helps modulate inflammatory responses. Oxygen saturation can impede the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and promote the production of anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells.
Saturating tissues and cells with oxygen can also reduce swelling and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, promoting wound healing. The new vessels enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues. HBOT may also enhance the activity of white blood cells, which fight infections that cause inflammation.
Supports Nerve Repair
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can stimulate the growth and repair of damaged nerve fibers, potentially improving chronic pain conditions caused by neuropathy. Increased oxygen in the blood stimulates growth factors and promotes angiogenesis of new blood vessels. Oxygen promotes cellular repair and function, creating an environment that supports nerve regeneration. Your doctor may recommend HBOT for radiation-induced neuropathies, peripheral nerve injury, and postherpetic neuralgia.
Boosts Immune Function and Tissue Healing
Some chronic pain conditions are linked to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. HBOT can strengthen your immune response, stimulating white blood cells to help fight infections. The therapy promotes the growth and repair of damaged tissues and may help treat chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores. Increased oxygenation can also combat oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Such actions may improve your health and well-being, allowing your body to fight the conditions and diseases causing pain.
Get Started With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Today
Oxygen plays a role in pain management, aiding the regeneration of injured or damaged tissues and neurons. HBOT can complement other pain management treatments and enhance outcomes. Contact a reputable hyperbaric oxygen therapy provider today to schedule your first session.
