What is Hyperbaric Oxygenation (HBOT) and how does it work?

HBOT safely delivers 100% Oxygen to the brain and spinal cord structures while inside a pressurized chamber. Hyperbaric Oxygenation for neurodegenerative brain and spinal cord patients differs from the 'traditional applications' using lower pressures but longer time period of exposure. HBOT designed for delayed wounds, gangrene, osteomyelitis requires higher pressures at shorter intervals ie 2.8 ATA or greater which is not considered appropriate for neurological patients.

Hyperbaric works by increasing the saturative effect of dissolved oxygen into the blood and surrounding tissue structures that have been deprived of vital oxygen (hypoxic tissue. The pressure inside the chamber causes the Oxygen breathed to be dissolved at greater levels in the blood. Recent studies have reported that HBOT results in about a 15-20 fold increase in oxygen saturation. This is about a 2,000% increase of dissolved oxygen into the brain and spinal cord structures!  

Approximately 20-30% of the body's consumption of Oxygen occurs within 3-5% of the body mass - the brain and spinal cord. These structures are extremely sensitive to Oxygen deficiency, and can have the most dramatic results with the use of HBOT.  

Hyperbaric Oxygenation mobilizes and elevates the patients own circulating CD34+ progenitor Stem Cells. [American Journal Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology (Nov 2005)] reports a single 2-hour exposure to HBOT at @ 2 ATA doubles circulating CD34+ progenitor stem cells and at approximately 40-hours of HBOT; circulating CD34+ cells increases eight fold (800%)! Complex neurological disorders require greater impact for appropriate immune responses. This increased tissue Oxygenation significantly accelerates the rate of healing, stabilization and repair. The healing begins …

Lokomat Robotic Gait Assisted Walking

Lokomat NeuroRecovery is based on the principle of neuroplasticity (the ability of the neurons in the nervous system to develop new connections and ‘learn’ new functions). Normal function is a learned response; neuro-rehabilitation requires accurate functional repetitions to 're-learn' function.  

HBOT is the fuel and acts as a catalyst to the central issue (hypoxia); Lokomat and other forms of intensive and innovative 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!

Company Background

Dr Mal Hooper founder and director HyperMED pioneered the application of Hyperbaric Oxygenation in the treatment and management of chronic spinal and related disorders. HyperMED NeuroRecovery incorporates both the trading identities of Spinal Rehabilitation Group (established 1986), Melbourne Hyperbaric, Equine Hyperbaric, OXY-Vibe, OXY-Sports Health and the HyperMED NeuroRecovery Foundation of Australia. [All material Copyright]

HyperMED is the only facility in Australia using the merits of Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Lokomat and assertive functional based rehabilitation in the management of neurodegenerative disorders. HyperMED has developed unique clinical protocols including integrative stem cell therapies (pre and post implantation); immune conditioning and enhancement protocols in the treatment and management including: 

• Spinal Cord Injury, Failed Spinal Surgical Syndrome, Disc Protrusion (single and multi-level), Cerebral Palsy, Delayed Development Syndrome, Autism, Epilepsy, Near Drowning, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease, Chronic Fatigue Illness, Chronic Pain Syndromes, Cancer, Delayed wounds, chronic immune and neuro-degenerative disorders ...

Hyperbaric Oxygenation was incorporated into treatment protocols during 1996; in excess of 100,000 separate chamber sessions have been performed without incident. Regardless of the fact that virtually all conditions NOT covered under the Australian Medicare and or Third Party Insurers our service provision and reputation continues to grow; in excess of 75% of patients attending from interstate and increasing referral from overseas.

HyperMED has 4-state of the art purpose built monoplace chambers, Australia's first Lokomat (Robotic Walking Machine) and a range of supportive modalities and therapies including Advanced Whole Body Vibration (Power Plate), FES programs, neuro-acupuncture and targeted immune supplementations etc. Each patient is treated as an individual - you are NOT pressurized with another patient. Hospital based chambers usually have a number of patients with a range of conditions all in a large Multiplace chamber with every occupant all going to the same Medicare funded depth. If one occupant has difficulty pressurizing then the entire procedure is aborted! Monoplace chambers are personal and cost effective.

In addition - Medicare approved conditions are typically highly infective related disorders requiring 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 individual requirements of the patient; based on MRI and clinical investigations. Each chamber has its own TV/DVD system which provides great opportunity to relax, enjoy the time whilst receiving treatment specific to your needs! ~ Mal Hooper