Central sensitization is a condition of the nervous system that is associated with the development and maintenance of chronic pain. A new understanding of the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in central sensitization may be the key to effectively utilizing the benefits of this therapeutic intervention for pain management.

In this study, an experimental first degree burn injury was induced in 19 healthy male subjects followed by one single hyperbaric oxygen session (2.4 ATA, 100% oxygen, 90 min). The results from the hyperbaric session demonstrated a long lasting reduction in pain. In addition, the application of HBOT also demonstrated a protective effect through preconditioning. These results strongly support the effects on central sensitization through HBOT and may offer greater clinical applications for those suffering from chronic pain syndromes, particularly towards persistence post surgical pain and phantom limb pain, among other areas within clinical pain research. <View study -- Journal of Pain Research 2019>

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Currently, there is a great deal of focus and attention being put on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, due to the promising results seen in clinical research and the potential application that this can have for those individuals who have suffered a stroke or TBI. Now, there is strong evidence supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy BEFORE brain trauma or injury, by preconditioning the brain with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This study shows that HBOT preconditioning stands as a robust prophylactic treatment for sequestration of inflammation inherent in stroke and TBI. Though we can't predict when the brain will be under traumatic stress (unless it's a planned surgical procedure),  hyperbaric oxygen may become one of the best ways to protect our brain from future injuries. The following groups of individuals would be the ones that would most likely benefit:

• Athletes and contact sports affecting the head
• Patients undergoing planned brain surgery
• High-risk stroke patients
• Those who are at risk for neuro-degenerative conditions
• Elderly

The future holds bright for the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for being part of both the treatment of brain trauma and for the prevention of the severity of damage that can subsequently occur <view study>     Read Less

This study was designed to clarify the mechanisms by which 1.3 ATA (ambient air) hyperbaric therapy  improves endurance and interval exercise capacities in highly trained mice. During sprint interval training, the results showed an increase in the proportion of type 1 muscle fibers and promoted the growth of blood vessels and muscle fibers. These results may lead to a new strategy for enhancing exercise capacity in well-trained mice.” <view study> Read Less

'Exercise training and HBO2 exposure stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis, increase capillary density, and induce adaptive antioxidant mechanisms' 49 Healthy long-term intermediate-altitude residents were randomized into 2 groups: one performing six sessions of a SIT regimen over two weeks in a hyperbaric chamber (1.4 ATA); the other performing under ambient pressure conditions (0.85 ATA) The results of this study demonstrated an improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness in the hyperbaric group, reflected by a a significantly higher increase in peak work rate and VE. <view study> Read Less

43 patients participated in a study for erectile dysfunction. The participants underwent a series of hyperbaric oxygen sessions for a total of 9 months. The collected data was very positive and the results of this study confirmed that hyperbaric oxygen therapy helped to improve erectile function. In addition, they measured both total and free serum testosterone levels and the data did not show any effect on testosterone levels. This would leave us to believe that the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen are not related to hormonal fluctuations occurring from this procedure, but instead other physiological benefits from the hyperbaric administration <view study> Read Less