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HyperMED NeuroRecovery - About us
'Welcome to HyperMED - I am Dr Mal Hooper director of HyperMED Australia which incorporates the trading identities of Spinal Rehabilitation Group Pty Ltd and Melbourne Hyperbaric Pty Ltd. Spinal Rehabilitation Group provided a multidisciplinary treatment model - unifying practitioners and doctors to provide an integrative approach in the treatment and management of chronic spinal disorders. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy was incorporated into treatment protocols in 1996. Our initial work focused on spinal disorders - in fact I pioneered the application of Hyperbaric Oxygenation and spinal disorders including disc prolapse, failed surgery etc. The initial applications of Hyperbaric Oxygenation were rapidly expanded with what seemed to be a never ending inquiry of patients suffering complex disability and disease. The fact that we were the first facility in Australia to incorporate the merits of Hyperbaric Oxygenation in the treatment of degenerative neurovascular disorders made for a unique position notwithstanding conservative opinion. Hyperbaric Oxygenation simply stated is breathing 100% oxygen at pressures greater than normal. Typically we breathe 21% oxygen - Hyperbaric Oxygenation provides greater levels of oxygen into the body enabling regions of inadequate oxygenated blood (hypoxia) to be corrected. Hyperbaric Oxygenation acts as a 'catalyst' correcting hypoxia, developing new capillaries into the compromised region, activating dormant and idling nerve cells promoting functional immune responses. However complex neurological disorders still require assertive therapies with emphasis on re-training function. During 2004 the hottest topics in neurorehabilitation were based on the principles of neuroplasticity. Vast numbers of publications confirm that function can be re-learned. Subsequently I attended the 'World Federation of Neuroplasticity Symposium 2004' held in Zurich which also featured the launch of the fully automated robotic walking machine - Lokomat by the Swiss German company Hocoma. However at a cost of AUD $750,000 and no government backing - Australia's first Lokomat had to wait! During December 2006 Australia's first Adult and Pediatric Lokomat were installed - however the combination approach of Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Lokomat (Robotic Gait Assisted Walking) coupled with assertive physical therapies and immune stimulating supplements continues to remain a 'world-first'. Review the attached PDF's for current world locations of both Adult Lokomat and Pediatric Lokomats. Lokomat is based on the principle of neuroplasticity - the ability of the neurons in the nervous system to develop new connections and ‘learn’ new functions however these functional changes are based on the extent of damage which is due to hypoxia. Hyperbaric Oxygenation provides the available fuel and acts as a catalyst to the underlying central issue (hypoxia). Lokomat and other forms of intensive physical therapy validate; retrain and reconnects function. This combined approach ‘awakens’ dormant neural pathways and Lokomat provides accurate functional neurological repetition enhancing and validating neural connections and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. Patients have the ability to regain walking ability or learn to walk! HyperMED is committed to expanding the therapeutic window promoting worthwhile functional outcomes - gone are what appears to be the days of simply living and coping with disability!'
Background - how did we get involved in Hyperbaric Therapy? What was the connection? 'Kate and I have six children ranging from 19 down to 8 years - the family is full on and the challenges of life are simply that - part of life! During 1993 one of our six children at 18-months of age; fell into a fire and suffered extensive burns to her arms, hands, stomach and knees. The ordeal was overwhelming; extensive donor skin grafts were recommended being cautioned that without grafts Rachael would end up with a permanent disability because the burns region was ischemic and that extensive scarring would lead to significant contractures and deformity. I was compelled as both father and practitioner to provide the best possible outcome for our daughter; we used a range of immune stimulating supports including low level laser and together with continuing prayer – thank God; she did not require grafts. Rachael has emerged as a very determined and focused young lady with a magnificent drive that has excelled her in sporting achievements competing at both state and national levels. Subsequent to this ordeal - the search began for applications to promote blood supply and reduce scar formation; incidentally a colleague had mentioned hyperbaric for sporting injuries. As I looked more closely into the field of hyperbaric it became evident how little I actually knew! I was aware that Hyperbaric was the treatment of choice for diving related illness but I was amazed by the enormity of publications and trials being conducted world-wide ranging from brain injury, delayed wounds, chronic immunosuppressive disease to cancers! In fact the application of Hyperbaric Oxygenation for burns victims are an international standard in most countries and has been for the past 20-30 years. This is not the situation in Australia. Burns and a multitude of other conditions are not covered; in fact only 6-conditions attract a Medicare rebate. During this period the emphasis of Spinal Rehabilitation Group was a multi disciplinary medicolegal specialty. It was common place for us to refer our patients for advanced diagnostic procedures and clinical investigations including MRI to determine the exact nature of the underlying spinal condition. The fact that back and related problems get worse as a direct result of diminishing blood supply (ischemia) regardless of the surgical approach, drug, magic potion or rub; lead to the hypothesis that perhaps Hyperbaric Oxygenation may impact some of these spinal disorders. Clinical publications had already confirmed that Hyperbaric corrects and alters tissue hypoxia which is responsible for chronic edema and swelling; then perhaps HBOT may impact the long term effects of chronic spinal pain syndromes and other degenerative neurological conditions. Our first chamber was commissioned during 1995 and our pioneering work began. Our initial focus and emphasis were directed to patients with complex spinal disorders including chronic pain syndromes associated with single and multi-level disc protrusion, canal stenosis, failed back surgery etc. Since commencing Hyperbaric Oxygenation (HBOT) in excess of 100,000 separate chamber sessions have been performed without incident and with virtually all conditions NOT covered under the Medicare and or Third Party Insurers. However the service provision continues to grow with in excess of 75% of patients attending from interstate and overseas. Currently we have 4-state of the art monoplace chambers and 1-Lokomat in operation. Unlike hospital based hyperbaric chambers; each patient is treated as an individual – you are NOT pressurized with another patient. Hospital based chambers usually have a number of patients all in a large multi-place chamber with every occupant going to the same depth. If one of the occupants has an ear problem or cannot pressurize then the entire procedure is aborted! In addition; Medicare approved conditions are typically highly infective disorders and require the patient to receive HBOT at pressures greater than 2.8 ATA and beyond. This is NOT appropriate for chronic neurological disorders and in fact can provide considerable risk to the neurovascular patient. Our protocol uses lower pressures which are tailored to the patient’s individual requirements; based on MRI and clinical investigations. HBOT provided is safe, non-invasive and provides no risk to degenerative neurological patients. Each chamber has its own TV/DVD which provides a great opportunity to relax, enjoy the time whilst receiving treatment specific to your needs!' Regards, Mal Hooper |
