Richmond Hyperbaric - Our Services and FAQs on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Our Services and FAQs

We are here to help. The parents and family members of those who have experienced HBOT treatments at Richmond Hyperbaric Health Center would be happy to talk with other parents and share their experience, knowledge, and opinions on HBOT.

Hyperbaric chambers are built to withstand pressure. There are two types of hyperbaric chambers: monoplace (one person) and multiplace chambers ( 2 or more persons). Richmond Hyperbaric Health Center operates 2 multi place chambers, a 6 person multiplace chamber that can reach a depth of 6ATA and a 4 person chamber that can reach 4 ATA. At sea level the atmosphere exerts 14.7 psi (760 mmHg) of pressure on your body. This normal atmospheric pressure is referred to as 1.0 atmosphere absolute (ATA). By pressurizing the air inside the chamber we can achieve greater pressures. Most treatments are between 1.3 and 2.5 ATA. This increased pressure enables more oxygen to dissolve in the body's tissues and fluids. The result is increased oxygen availability to tissues for healing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Everyone?

Yes and No. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is not suitable for people who are pregnant or those with severe lung conditions or who have some other contraindicated conditions. Healthy individuals wanting to do preventative sessions should be fine with the therapy.

2. Are There Recommended Treatment Plans For Different Conditions?

Yes, as a matter of fact. Each disease/disorder has specific protocols and recommendations.

3. Why Didn’t My Doctor Tell Me About The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is not typically used by the medical profession. Physicians direct patients to hospitals / private health clinics with hyperbaric chambers only for conditions, which are approved by the UHMS.

4. How Come Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Is Not Recognized As A Mainstream Medicine Treatment In My Country?

Hyperbaric is recognized and widely applied as an adjunct therapy for many conditions in countries around the world. Often times HBOT is applied to patients with many conditions before any other therapy is recommended.

In China & Russia patients with Stroke and Epilepsy are given HBOT, England has been using HBOT to treat Multiple Sclerosis for two and half decades.

5. How Do I Receive Oxygen?

In the chamber, the oxygen is supplied by a special mask or hood for a specific time period, normally 60 to 90 minutes.

6. Am I Alone In The Hyperbaric Chamber?

You will be in a multi-place hyperbaric chamber with other recipients at the same time. You will be under the watchful eye of an experienced and trained attendant who will accompany you into the chamber to give further assistance.

7. Mono Chambers Vs. Multi-place Hyperbaric Chambers.

Mono Chambers
FACTS	THEREFORE...
Constructed of clear acrylic /steel & acrylic materials, Mono place chambers are often flooded with oxygen	More claustrophobic for some patients especially bigger built individuals Full flood chambers have higher risk of fire and explosions.
Patients is Alone in chamber	No direct access to patients during the treatment.
Patients sometimes need to breathe through a mask	This can dilute the oxygen.
Multi-Place Chambers
FACTS	THEREFORE...
Multi-place chambers are made of steel Much more spacious. Almost all have an emergency transfer lock.	The entire room-sized chamber is compressed with air, not with oxygen, thus creating a much safer environment.
Trained Personnel	A trained attendant accompanies the clients during treatment, where they can carefully monitor each patient. The chamber attendant is in constant communication with the chamber operator during the treatment.
Large chambers like the 6 person chamber we have, have a secondary transfer lock.	The transfer chamber can be independently pressured to allow the transfer of attendants and medical equipment.
A special compartment.	Items such as medications and medical supplies can be passed in or out of our 6 person multi place chamber.
Ease the feelings of claustrophobia	A walk-in multi place chamber helps dispel feelings of claustrophobia and isolation, often associated with mono place (single patient) chambers.
Richmond Hyperbaric Health Center operates 2 multi place chambers, a 6 person multiplace chamber that can reach a depth of 6ATA and a 4 person chamber that can reach 4 ATA. This increased pressure enables more oxygen to dissolve in the body's tissues and fluids. The result is increased oxygen availability to tissues for healing.

8. How Often Are Treatments Given At Richmond Hyperbaric?

The length and frequency of treatments will vary depending on the type of illness. For most conditions recipients are treated once or twice a day - Monday through Friday. The treatment will last 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the condition.

9. Are There Any Safety Risks?

Safety precautions are taken to ensure your safety at all times while inside the hyperbaric chamber. Special cotton clothing and footware must be worn during the oxygen treatment.
For safety reasons, please do not wear

Lipstick	Make-up	Watches
Hair Oil	Nylons	Hearing Aids
Hair Spray	Synthetic Clothing	Hard Contact Lenses
Ointments	Jewelry	Nail Polish

The following are PROHIBITED from entering the hyperbaric chamber:

Cigarettes	Lighter
Matches	Knitting
Newsprint*	Certain foods
All Electronic Devices

*Reading material such as books or magazines is allowed.

10. Do The Changes In Pressure Cause Any Pain Or Discomfort?

You will feel fullness in your ears during compression - similar to the feeling sometimes experienced in elevators or flying in an airplane. Prior to beginning your treatments you will be shown how to "clear" your ears.

Pressure changes are done slowly enough so that most ear and sinus problems can be avoided.

If during the chamber pressurization you feel any pain, or difficulty with clearing your ears, notify the attendant immediately. The attendant will stop the pressurization and assist you with equalizing the pressure.

With the increase in pressure there will be a temporary elevation of the temperature inside the chamber. Once the treatment pressure is reached the temperature will return to normal.

During depressurization of the chamber, you may feel a "popping" sensation in your ears, which is the result of reducing pressure. It is important that you continue to breath normally. The ear "popping" is normal and does not require any special procedure. Breathe normally without holding your breath.

On rare occasions, patients receiving daily hyperbaric treatments may develop temporary changes in eyesight, which are usually minor. Vision will return to the pre-treatment level within 2 to 3 months after completion of the treatment.

Overall the HBOT experience is pleasant, you cannot “feel” the pressure, and many patients feel so relaxed they actually fall asleep.

11. Any Precautions ?

1. Smoking, alcohol and chronic coffee consumption decrease the amount of oxygen that can be transported by the circulatory system. It is strongly recommended that clients do not smoke during the course of their hyperbaric oxygen treatments. If the patient cannot stop smoking altogether, there must be no smoking four hours before and four hours after treatment and must be tobacco free.

2. Good nutrition is important for healing. Increase antioxidant levels (vitamins E and C) and reduce or eliminate processed food consumption.

3. Please discuss your medications with your family physician. Some medications are contra-indicated during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. If medication is necessary during your treatment, please bring it with you so that you can take it at the correct time. Diabetics may need supplementing to maintain blood sugar levels during or just after treatment. HBO may reduce the need for anticoagulants. If you become ill with a cold, flu, or have sinus problems, you may not be able to clear your ears or your sinuses may cause pain during the pressure changes in the chamber. Please call the center at (604) 277-8608 and discuss with the Hyperbaric Staff whether you should cancel your treatments until you are feeling better.

12. Do I Need A Referral From My Primary Care Physician or A Specialist For This Treatment?

That depends upon the reason you are being referred for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Your Primary Care Physician may refer you directly to us for treatments or he or she may first refer you to a specialist who may then recommend treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. In any case do not feel intimidated about asking your Physician to recommend the therapy for you.

13. Does My Insurance Cover The Treatment?

Many insurance carriers cover the entire cost of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or have a small co-pay. Please consult with your insurance carrier to determine your level of coverage for these services.