Perfect Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Protocol

If I had a dime for every time somebody asked me what the perfect or best hyperbaric protocol is… I would probably have a few dollars by now.  First of all, it does not exist; which we will discuss in more detail shortly.  Second, I am not your physician and therefore it is not my responsibility to recommend treatment.  However, does this mean that I am not open to discuss what has been done successfully in research and case studies, or to voice my opinion on the parameters of treatment and what I believe to be most important?  Absolutely not!  It simply means that I am not going to come out and say that X sessions, for X minutes, X times per week, X times per day, for X days, with a break of X days would be ideal for you.

So why doesn’t the perfect protocol exist?  For the same reasons that the perfect diet, perfect dietary supplement, or perfect exercise routines don’t exist.  Because we are all individuals.  Protocols are designed to fit within norms.  So although a particular protocol might actually be perfect for one individual, it is either too much or too little for the rest of us.  This is not too say that we can’t still benefit from these generic protocols, it is simply to say that they are not necessarily ideal for the individual.  One might ask, would it be possible through experimentation to design a near perfect hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol for individuals?  Sure, I don’t see why not… other than the limitations of the hyperbaric chambers!  When it comes to the supplement industry, we can practically put any nutrient at any dosage together in a supplement.  In fact, there are companies that develop supplements based on your genetic profile.  Unfortunately, neither does the hyperbaric industry have this capability, nor do I believe they are attempting to be this exact or individualized in their approach.  Although we can manipulate the frequency of treatment, the duration of treatment, and the percentage of oxygen, most hyperbaric chambers boast very little in the ability to fine tune pressure at small increments.  Why do you think so much research is done at specific pressures?  Partly because of the limitations of the equipment.  Most hyperbaric chambers work in 1/4 atmosphere increments; for example, 1.5 ata, 1.75 ata, 2.0 ata, etc.  So, the decision to treat at 1.5 ata or any other pressure, is less based on the symptoms and health history of the patient, rather more so based on the limitations of the equipment.  Otherwise, one would expect to see pressures such as 1.65 ata, or 1.4 ata, or maybe 1.55 ata; but we don’t.  Of course, we do have a lot of control in managing oxygen percentages and we have complete control over treatment duration.  Yet again, we put everybody in for either 60 or 90 minutes… isn’t that just convenient?  About as convenient as a facility treating 5 days per week; being that the clinic is closed on the weekend.  In summary, we are limited by the available hyperbaric oxygen therapy equipment to develop so called “perfect protocols”.  Further, the variables we have complete control over, (duration, frequency, oxygen percentage) are not being utilized to any individualized extent.

Unfortunately, this short article will not revolutionize the hyperbaric industry; in fact, it will likely alienate certain parties within it.  However, those of us who understand this can spend less time listening to those who speak in absolutes (claiming we have to follow their generic protocol or we won’t get benefits) and more time searching for truth.

To learn more about treatment protocols with a historical perspective of common protocols of today, please check out the article entitled “Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy” under education.

Greg Harris – Hyperbaric Warrior