Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

Why do I need a prescription for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Medical oxygen is a controlled drug by the FDA and must be prescribed by a physician.

Where do I get a prescription?
Your physician can prescribe the therapy or refer you to us for evaluation by one of our hyperbaric physicians.

How do I know if I am a candidate for treatment?
Most people are able to have hyperbaric oxygenation therapy. In a few cases, those taking certain medications or chemotherapeutic drugs, those with poor heart function or decreased lung capacity (as with emphysema) and some other rare instances, are ruled out. We will be happy to provide information to you or your healthcare professional regarding a particular condition and how it may be affected by this therapy.

What is the age limit for treatment?
Young children and the elderly can safely receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, unless certain physical conditions exclude them from therapy.

How many treatments will I need?
Treatment plans are based on your diagnosis. Many conditions require 20-40 treatments or more (a treatment generally is 60 or 90 minutes; a patient receives one or two treatments per day, five days a week). Some oral/dental procedures require 30 treatments prior to dental procedure and then 10 more treatments immediately after. Nationwide, some patients have had hundreds of treatments over the years. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a cumulative effect on the body, and as changes happen, future treatments build on past effects.

What does a treatment feel like?
Typically, patients feel a change of pressure in their ears, similar to the descent of an airplane or driving over a mountain. You may also feel warm while going to pressure, comfortable when at pressure and chilly when coming up from pressure. (The temperature changes have to do with the laws of physics.) You will be given blankets for your treatment.

How can I clear my ears?
We recommend holding your nose and swallowing as an easy technique to "open" your ears. Holding one's nose and blowing out lightly (the Valsalva maneuver) is a technique used by many scuba divers and works well in the hyperbaric setting. Other techniques include yawning, swallowing, taking sips of water, jutting out the jaw, and tilting your head back. EarPlanes® are special earplugs with a ceramic filter that permit the pressure to be slowly introduced to the eardrums allowing time for the ears to equalize. They are available in drugstores. For those who are unable to equalize the pressure, a myringotomy (ear tubes) may be recommended.

What can I do during a treatment?
Many patients bring music or videos/DVD’s. Some prefer to watch television or sleep during therapy. All music, radio, video, and television sound is piped into the chamber. A patient is not permitted to carry external electronic devices or reading material into the chamber for safety reasons.

Do I need special clothing?
ONLY clean, all-cotton clothing is allowed in the chamber. Hospital-type gowns are available for patients to use at the Medical Center. Please remove all jewelry, makeup, oils, and creams. Do not use alcohol based products prior to treatment.

Will my insurance cover treatment costs?
Insurance companies vary slightly in their coverage. Medicare lists 15 “approved indications” for Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. We will contact your insurance carrier regarding coverage before scheduling treatment.

For more information about hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Memphis, Tennessee, please call 901.516.5766.