Yet another success story has been associated with the correct implementation of HBOT therapy very recently. Contrary to the rumors that HBOT is nothing but media hype, Laureen and her husband Sam have finally found their happy life back all because of HBOT treatment. Today, when she recalls the June morning back in 2006, she still can’t believe that her family has finally made it out of the phase that had made their life so difficult all these days!

It all started when Sam suffered a massive stroke in June 2006, which Laureen mistook to be the ill effects of a vomiting bug. Sam made it to the hospital only the following morning, and had been lying at home all through the previous evening and the night. According to the doctors, there were minor or no chances of survival, and even if he did make it, he would probably live with paralysis forever.

Professionally Sam was one of Ireland’s leading karate masters, much fitter than most men you would have come across, even at the age of 50. He ran a karate club. It was impossible for Laureen to believe what she had heard at the hospital, but she never gave up. They went through a huge number of therapies, spent 4 months in a rehabilitation center, and saw a good improvement.

Sam could walk again, but with the support of a stick. His arteries were still blocked, and needed surgery. However, the surgery turned matters towards the worse, and he started to relapse into the state he was in earlier! Laureen didn’t give up though. She went through extensive research on this, and finally decided on trying HBOT Therapy, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Today Sam and Laureen both thank their luck that they have finally been able to regain their earlier happy lives, even if there is a long way to go. Sam doesn’t need a walking stick anymore, and he associates it to the HBOT treatment that he underwent. Yet another proof of what HBOT has been able to achieve, isn’t it?

[Names have been changed to ensure privacy.]

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves delivering oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure to heal injuries to the body. According to Dr. Paul G. Harch, a pioneer and leading authority on hyperbaric oxygen therapy and research, “Oxygen under pressure works as a drug to treat basic disease processes that are common to many acute and chronic conditions. By treating the disease processes the diseases are treated also.”

The cost of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is determined largely by where a patient receives Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), what type of medical coverage (reimbursement) is present, and what condition is treated. In the hospital-based centers, only the typically reimbursed indications are treated and the charge is $1,000-2,000/hour.

In a freestanding center, treatment of the same conditions costs far less and can be as low as $200/hour. If the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is reimbursed by either Medicare or Medicaid the charge is nearly the same in a hospital or freestanding center, approximately $250/hour.

For off-label conditions, the freestanding centers are usually the only option for treatment. The average charge at these facilities is about $200/hr or treatment.

Source: altmd.com

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can be obtained in a hospital or a freestanding clinic.

Hospitals

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been traditionally delivered in hospital-based departments or wound care departments on hospital campuses. Many of these facilities treat both the emergency as well as the chronic conditions.

Freestanding Clinics

In the past 15 years however, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) treatment has become more efficient and convenient through the establishment of freestanding clinics. These clinics usually are not equipped to treat the emergency conditions and so have focused only on the chronic conditions. Increasingly, these freestanding clinics also treat “off-label” conditions such as chronic neurological conditions. Examples include cerebral palsy, autism, chronic traumatic brain injury, and chronic stroke. It is estimated that there are now 800 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) centers in the United States.

Medical Supervision

Regardless of whether the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) center is hospital-based or freestanding, the most important attribute of any facility is whether there is a doctor in attendance. Because Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is both a medical procedure and drug, there are risks and side effects that should be evaluated by a physician before proceeding with treatment. Similarly, a physician should be present during treatment for continuous observation and assessment.

Source: altmd.com