One technique that is becoming increasingly popular for aiding recovery times is hyperbaric oxygen therapy-the same technology that’s used to recompress divers with the bends. However, scientific evidence supporting this treatment remains scarce.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Acute injuries may require a short-term treatment plan of one to two weeks, whereas chronic injuries may require treatments lasting up to four weeks. HBOT claims to reduce swelling and edema, improve cellular defense mechanisms, and stimulate blood vessel growth. The mechanism behind these changes is a greater diffusion of oxygen in the plasma supplying the injured tissue. This improvement in oxygen supply is said to keep the injured muscle, ligament, or tendon viable. What does HBOT offer the athlete and coach? Gaining that all-important edge is an ongoing pursuit for coaches and training staff. Any treatment that can possibly expedite an injured athlete’s healing is worth considering. Today, many NFL, NHL, and NBA teams now have their own hyperbaric chambers. The types of injuries that professional teams are treating with HBOT range from severe bruising injuries to the thigh, to ‘fracture non-unions’ and even post-surgery therapy.
Acute soft tissue injuries may have an improved recovery time of two to three days, whereas it may be two to three weeks for more chronic injuries. By far the biggest drawback with the application of HBOT is the cost. It is currently an exclusive form of treatment, generally available only to professional athletes. One session of HBOT usually costs at least $140. Despite the expense, it is likely to remain an exclusive form of medicine for some time .Is it a scientifically valid practice? Very little scientific evidence supports the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Most research has shown a very slight reduction in recovery time, although, it has usually been statistically insignificant. However, there is increasing evidence supporting the use of HBOT in assisting healing of soft tissue injuries if the trauma is adequately severe. Associate professor Garry Allison, a functional rehabilitation expert at the University of Western Australia believes that HBOT is based on a strong belief system. “The injuries are not controlled so there is a great variance in outcomes.” Verification would require clinical trial periods that would be most inappropriate for most athletes and coaches to abide by. Consequently, the fields of battle have become the testing grounds and anecdotal evidence remains the basis for its implementation. The use of a scientifically unproven treatment for soft tissue raises some concerns. HBOT has been associated with some side effects, although complications from these have been extremely rare. These risks include tympanic membrane perforation (ear damage) and reduced lung function. Even without solid evidence of its healing impact and despite its risks, HBOT may still offer the coach an edge. If the athlete is enthusiastic about the treatment procedure then their attitude towards recovery may have a positive physical effect. Considering the many painful aspects of rehabilitation, the thought of a healing method simply involving breathing is very enticing. This still developing concept won’t make an athlete happy to be hurt, but it may make getting healthy a lot more pleasant.
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