For patients suffering from difficult-to-treat wounds such as burns, foot ulcers, and infections, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can mean hope and healing. The therapy promotes healing by increasing the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream.

What Happens

During a hyperbaric treatment, patients lie comfortably in a pressurized chamber and receive a dose of pure, 100 percent oxygen—nearly five times the concentration of regular air. The treatment quickly delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream, assists in the healing process of wounds and is effective in fighting certain types of infections. It also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation. A treatment profile is administered daily and the number of treatments you receive will depend on your diagnosis. The oxygen-enriched blood, not direct oxygen contact, is what nurtures wound healing and produces healthful results.

Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric therapy offers distinct therapeutic benefits and can be used to treat a variety of illnesses. It can be employed as a primary treatment method or it may be part of a broader approach that could include antibiotics, wound care or surgery. Saint Joseph Wound Center provides referring physicians with monthly progress notes regarding their patients' wounds.