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Our Services and FAQs
We are here to help. The parents and family members of those who have experienced HBOT treatments at Richmond Hyperbaric Health Center would be happy to talk with other parents and share their experience, knowledge, and opinions on HBOT.
For those interested in receiving HBOT that may have difficulty with financing the treatments, we have people that can give advice on fund-raising.
Hyperbaric chambers are built to withstand pressure. There are two types of hyperbaric chambers: monoplace (one person) and multiplace chambers ( 2 or more persons). Richmond Hyperbaric Health Center operates 2 multi place chambers, a 6 person multiplace chamber that can reach a depth of 6ATA and a 4 person chamber that can reach 4 ATA. At sea level the atmosphere exerts 14.7 psi (760 mmHg) of pressure on your body. This normal atmospheric pressure is referred to as 1.0 atmosphere absolute (ATA). By pressurizing the air inside the chamber we can achieve greater pressures. Most treatments are between 1.3 and 2.5 ATA. This increased pressure enables more oxygen to dissolve in the body's tissues and fluids. The result is increased oxygen availability to tissues for healing.
Besides Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, other services provided at Richmond Hyperbaric include Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Consultation, Acupuncture, Scalp Acupuncture, Acupressure Massage, and Vibration Therapy. The treatments are sometimes combined with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to enhance the benefits of HBOT.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Everyone? |
Yes and No. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is not suitable for people who are pregnant or those with severe lung conditions or who have some other contraindicated conditions. Healthy individuals wanting to do preventative sessions should be fine with the therapy. |
2. Are There Recommended Treatment Plans For Different Conditions? |
Yes, as a matter of fact. Each disease/disorder has specific protocols and recommendations. |
3. Why Didn’t My Doctor Tell Me About The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? |
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is not typically used by the medical profession. Physicians direct patients to hospitals / private health clinics with hyperbaric chambers only for conditions, which are approved by the UHMS. |
4. How Come Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Is Not Recognized As A Mainstream Medicine Treatment In My Country? |
Hyperbaric is recognized and widely applied as an adjunct therapy for many conditions in countries around the world. Often times HBOT is applied to patients with many conditions before any other therapy is recommended. |
5. How Do I Receive Oxygen? |
In the chamber, the oxygen is supplied by a special mask or hood for a specific time period, normally 60 to 90 minutes. |
6. Am I Alone In The Hyperbaric Chamber? |
You will be in a multi-place hyperbaric chamber with other recipients at the same time. You will be under the watchful eye of an experienced and trained attendant who will accompany you into the chamber to give further assistance. |
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7. Mono Chambers Vs. Multi-place Hyperbaric Chambers. |
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8. How Often Are Treatments Given At Richmond Hyperbaric? |
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The length and frequency of treatments will vary depending on the type of illness. For most conditions recipients are treated once or twice a day - Monday through Friday. The treatment will last 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the condition. |
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9. Are There Any Safety Risks? |
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Safety precautions are taken to ensure your safety at all times while inside the hyperbaric chamber. Special cotton clothing and footware must be worn during the oxygen treatment.
The following are PROHIBITED from entering the hyperbaric chamber:
*Reading material such as books or magazines is allowed. |
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10. Do The Changes In Pressure Cause Any Pain Or Discomfort? |
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You will feel fullness in your ears during compression - similar to the feeling sometimes experienced in elevators or flying in an airplane. Prior to beginning your treatments you will be shown how to "clear" your ears. Overall the HBOT experience is pleasant, you cannot “feel” the pressure, and many patients feel so relaxed they actually fall asleep. |
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11. Any Precautions ? |
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1. Smoking, alcohol and chronic coffee consumption decrease the amount of oxygen that can be transported by the circulatory system. It is strongly recommended that clients do not smoke during the course of their hyperbaric oxygen treatments. If the patient cannot stop smoking altogether, there must be no smoking four hours before and four hours after treatment and must be tobacco free. |
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12. Do I Need A Referral From My Primary Care Physician or A Specialist For This Treatment? |
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That depends upon the reason you are being referred for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Your Primary Care Physician may refer you directly to us for treatments or he or she may first refer you to a specialist who may then recommend treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. In any case do not feel intimidated about asking your Physician to recommend the therapy for you. |
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13. How Much Does The Treatment Costs? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is $125.00 Canadian per session. Based on 60 minutes per session on oxygen*. *Recommended session times for your condition may vary. 5% discount for 20 sessions on prepaid bookings 30 days in advance. 10% discount for 40 sessions on prepaid bookings 30 days in advance. |
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14. Does My Insurance Cover The Treatment? |
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Many insurance carriers cover the entire cost of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or have a small co-pay. Please consult with your insurance carrier to determine your level of coverage for these services. |
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