Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sessions last 60 minutes. Schedule Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy daily for the number of sessions recommended by your physician and/or based on the purchased package. Consider a baseline Hyperbaric Brain Map or QEEG before starting Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to evaluate concerns and observe benefit overtime.
Stroke & Hyperbarics
Each year nearly 800,000 strokes occur, averaging one every 40 seconds, making it the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. A stroke occurs when blood flow to any part of the brain is cut off due to an aneurysm, leaking blood vessels, or a blood clot. Cut off from the blood supply, and thus oxygen, the brain cells in this region will die. The loss of brain cells can affect any aspect of day to day functioning, including memory and muscle control of the face or limbs.
Due to the hypoxic nature of strokes, it has been postulated that by increasing levels of oxygen, the effects of the stroke may be improved. Many different studies support this theory and believe that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can help an individual to improve cognition as well as physical abilities such as gait. Furthermore, they have found that the sooner HBOT is administered after the occurrence of stroke, the more recovery can be expected. Many believe that the optimal time frame would be no greater than six hours after the stroke. However, some studies show that recovery is still possible days months or even years post-stroke.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also be used in the prevention of strokes. Strokes are characterized by a lack of adequate blood supply to the brain and HBOT has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain as well as promote angiogenesis (the creation of new blood vessels). Further studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for strokes including the following:
Stroke Recovery
- Faster Overall Recovery
- Improves Vision and Speech
- Reduces Paralysis
- Accelerates Gross/Fine Motor Skills
- Increases Penumbra Tissue Recovery
- Stimulates Blood Vessel Growth
- Escalates Brain Tissue Repair
- Alleviates Spasticity
Stroke Prevention
- Stimulates Blood Vessel Growth Improving Blood Flow
- Reduces Atherosclerosis
- Decreases Oxidative Stress in the Brain
- Preconditions the Brain to Enable Neuroprotective Properties
STROKE RECOVERY PROGRAMS
East Valley Naturopathic Doctors(EVND) offers affordable access to effective treatments directed toward those with recent or past stroke injuries. We continue to improve and provide services valuable to under treated patients within our communities such as those with stroke injuries.
Patients with concerns of recent stroke should be evaluated and treated at a local hospital before seeking treatment in our clinic. Once the patient has been properly diagnosed and released from the hospital, we can schedule a consultation and begin treatment within 36 hours of the initial symptoms. The sooner we can begin treatment, the faster the recovery appears to be based on the current research.
We are of the belief that many symptoms following stroke events are treatable, and in many cases reversible, more so if therapy is started soon after the trauma. The first step is to become informed about the available treatments found in the research to be supportive of recovery. The following links below review the leading options for recovery from stroke injuries.
Neurofeedback Therapy and improvements in Post Concussion Syndrome
FSM Therapy for improving energy and reducing inflammation
ACUTE STROKE RECOVERY PROGRAM
Acute stroke injuries which produce any obvious symptom within the first 36 hours can be greatly benefitted by the immediate application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The number of sessions will depend upon the acute symptoms and the extent of the dysfunction produced by the stroke. Generally 20 sessions are recommended to start, with some individuals requiring 40 total sessions.
Combining Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy simultaneously with Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) has been demonstrated to reduce inflammation and even heal nerve pathways that have been damaged due to stroke injuries. FSM therapy applies two simultaneous micro-currents which travel through the body to heal brain areas which have been damaged while reducing peripheral symptoms.
The Acute Stroke Program is for patients with symptoms from a stroke less than 1 week from the initial insult. The program combines two of the most valuable therapies (Hyperbaric Oxygen and Frequency Specific Microcurrent Therapy) into one program to treat, in the most thorough and efficient manner, the effects of acute stroke injury. We start with 20 sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and 10 sessions of Frequency Specific Microcurrent therapy to be completed over an approximate 4 weeks.
CHRONIC STROKE RECOVERY PROGRAM
Chronic symptoms from stroke injury which persist can also be treated. The first step is to determine the area and type of dysfunction within the brain. The easiest method to acquire a baseline of brain function is to do a brain map or QEEG. Brain mapping evaluates hyper and hypo functioning of the various brain waves including Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta brainwaves. The brain waves provide a functional description of cognitive functioning, mood regulation, and even localized brain inflammation.
In addition to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Frequency Specific Microcurrent, Neurofeedback therapy can be added to the treatment protocol to provide significant benefit in helping the brain rewire toward optimal functioning. The combined application of Neurofeedback with HBOT and FSM therapy promotes brain recovery by increasing oxygen, reducing inflammation, and healing nerve pathways in ways unmatched by any other course of treatment.
The Chronic Stroke Recovery Program is for patients with symptoms from a stroke injury that have persisted or worsened beyond 1 month from the initial insult. The program combines three of the most valuable therapies (Hyperbaric Oxygen, Neurofeedback, and Frequency Specific Microcurrent Therapy) into one program to both evaluate and treat, in the most thorough and efficient manner, the effects of chronic stroke injuries. We start with a baseline QEEG(brain map), then begin with 40 sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, 20 sessions of Neurofeedback Therapy, and 10 sessions of Frequency Specific Microcurrent therapy, to be completed over an approximate 8 weeks. We monitor the rehabilitation program with a comparison Brain Map or QEEG every 4 weeks and follow up visits with the physician as needed to review appropriate labs at 4 and 8 weeks.
REFERENCE
- Efrati, S., Fishlev, G., Bechor, Y., Volkov, O., Bergan, J., Kliakhandler, K., … Golan, H. (2013). Hyperbaric oxygen induces late neuroplasticity in post stroke patients–randomized, prospective trial. PloS one, 8(1), e53716. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0053716
- Liska, G. M., Lippert, T., Russo, E., Nieves, N., & Borlongan, C. V. (2018). A Dual Role for Hyperbaric Oxygen in Stroke Neuroprotection: Preconditioning of the Brain and Stem Cells. Conditioning medicine, 1(4), 151–166.
- International Hyperbaric Association. (2014). Stroke. Retrieved from https:// ihausa.org/Stroke.html
Study: Neurological Function Improved in Post-Stroke Patients with HBOT
In 2013 a prospective, randomized, controlled trial focused on the introduction of 6 to 36 months prior to inclusion and had at least one motor dysfunction, were randomly assigned to treated and cross-over groups. The treated group received two months of 40, one hour HBOT sessions, five days a week. Whereas the crossover group was evaluated after one month with no HBOT and again after one month following HBOT, utilizing the same treatment protocol. The evaluating physicians found that neurological function, brain activity and quality of life of all treated patients improved after HBOT. Brain scan results directly correlated with clinical improvements and indicated that HBOT can lead to significant neurological improvements in post-stroke patients, even at chronic late stages. The observed clinical improvements indicated that new brain connections can be activated long after a stroke occurs.
REFERENCE
- Efrati S, Fishlev G, Bechor Y, Volkov O, Bergen J, et al. (2013) Hyperbaric Oxygen Induces Late Neuroplasticity in Post Stroke Patients – Randomized, Prospective Trial. PloS ONE 8(1): e53716
These statements have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. All of the statements made on this document are not anecdotal and have been taken directly from clinical data.
