September 8th
World Physiotherapy Day
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Physiotherapy: the perfect combination?
Today, World Physiotherapy Day, is the ideal time to reflect on the techniques’ evolution used in this sector, namely, in the recovery of traumatic injuries and, also, in its increasing use in the context of Sports Medicine.
Several scientific studies have shown that the combination of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments with Physiotherapy brings greater efficiency in results and an effective pain reduction compared to treatments using only Physiotherapy.
Treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has different effects on injuries: on the one hand, prevention and, on the other, speeds up recovery.
An increased concentration of oxygen in the blood, promotes the improvement of oxygenation and the supply of nutrients to the muscles. This situation leads to greater resistance to fatigue, less probability of fracture or injury and, in case of suffering an injury, speeds up recovery.
Injuries usually have a determined recovery time. This time, being inaccurate as it is, is influenced by factors such as the physical condition of the injured person or the way each organism reacts. Treatments with therapeutic hyperbaric oxygen have been proven to shorten rehabilitation periods for different types of injuries, whether they are muscle, joint, bone or ligament.
In fact, injuries in general, whether traumatic (due to everyday accidents) or sports, always present a deficit of oxygenation and an increase in inflammation. However, with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy it is possible to improve these components, reducing the recovery time in an evident and efficient way, since there is a better tissue nutrition.
The hyperbaric chamber is useful not only for injured or fatigued athletes, but also for those who are healthy. By using hyperbaric oxygen therapy before intense exercise, several goals are achieved: The blood circulation in the brain is optimized, the oxygen concentration at the muscle level is increased and the immune system is strengthened. In addition, red blood cells are stimulated, achieving a significant improvement in physical condition.
This treatment is regularly used by elite athletes, but it is not necessary to practice sport in a professional way to benefit from it.
The Cascais Hyperbaric Center is exclusively dedicated to Hyperbaric Medicine and registered at the European Association, and to the present date, the first and only private center with mono-place chambers.
Its’ staff is a highly specialized team with competence in Hyperbaric Medicine given by the Medical Association and a vast experience in the several applications of this type of treatment. Today in particular, we emphasize the experience and great success we have, with patients who come to us to treat their injuries resulting from accidents, as well as athletes, being for injury recovery or performance enhancement.
Many of these patients are advised by their Physiotherapists to carry out this therapy in a complementary way, but we also have many patients who come to us autonomously and who surprise their Physiotherapists with the results achieved.
Hyperbaric Medicine is, therefore, a therapy that will cause a revolution in current Physiotherapy.
Maria Luís Gameiro
Direcção Centro Hiperbárico Cascais