The Centre’s Barochamber which seats 4 people

What is it? Oxygen Therapy is a well-known treatment not only for people with MS but also for other conditions and injuries where an increase in the percentage of oxygen in the blood stream can have sometimes speed up the natural process of healing.

How does it work?

We normally breathe air containing 21% oxygen. Oxygen therapy is breathing a higher dose of oxygen – over 98% – inside a pressurised chamber, known as a Barochamber. The extra pressure you feel is small, no more than travelling on an aeroplane and most benefit is derived from regular treatments This substantially increases the absorption of the oxygen into the tissues and bloodstream where the cells use the oxygen to transfer energy stored in food. Neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis use up most of this energy leaving other cells lacking energy needed to heal and regenerate. The higher concentration of oxygen can give cells an extra boost. Oxygen therapy has also been known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Where it is not appropriate for someone to be in a pressurised environment, people can sometimes benefit from a simple oxygen session breathing 100% oxygen through their mask at room atmospheric pressure.

What does it involve?

Oxygen therapy is non-invasive and there is a simple process of delivery. First of all you will sit in our oxygen Barochamber on ordinary comfortable chairs. As part of our Covid-19 precautions we are maintaining social distancing inside the chamber which means only 2 people per dive. You will be asked to wear an oxygen mask which fits over your mouth and nose all the time you are in the Centre and whilst in the chamber you will be breathing a separate oxygen supply to the other person. The chamber is then pressurised, some people may find this a bit claustrophobic or experience slight problems with their ears (rather like that sometimes experienced in an aircraft) but our operators are all trained to help with such situations and we are always careful to be considerate and build individual confidence in the treatment. For safety reasons there are some items that should not be taken into the chamber with you and we will let you know what is appropriate and what is not. There will always be a primary chamber operator who will be in charge of your treatment.

A secondary operator is also always in the Centre and aware of your treatment. In such a small Centre as ours we get to know our members well and often become friends as we give the regular treatments.

AT THE START

You will be wearing an oxygen mask which will be connected to the oxygen supply once you have been assisted into the chamber. The door will then be closed and compressed air added to increase the pressure inside.

There will be the hiss of the incoming air and you might feel pressure in your ears similar to that sometimes felt on a flight. You might need to equalise the pressure in your ears to avoid any discomfort.

THE THERAPY

You will will be breathing the oxygen all the time you are in the chamber and connected to the supply. The session will last for 60 minutes, 45 minutes of this will be at pressure.

You should breathe as normally as you can and you can read or listen to music whilst in the chamber. Your operator will be monitoring you closely throughout the whole procedure and you can attract their attention at any time.

AT THE END

The operator will let you know that the session is over and will then depressurise the chamber. There will be the noise of air venting from the chamber, you might need to equalise your ears again. Once the pressure is reduced the operator will undo the oxygen connections. You will continue to wear your mask but you will be breathing normal air from then on.

You will be assisted out of the chamber and back to your vehicle.