Arthritis and systemic rheumatism affect millions of people, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and long-term damage to joints and tissues. These conditions are part of a larger family of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases—where the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks itself.
Standard treatments can help but often come with serious downsides. Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may irritate the stomach, liver, or bone marrow. Steroids and biologics can lower immunity, leaving patients vulnerable to infections and other risks. Many patients find themselves managing side effects on top of their disease.
This is where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) offers another option—not as a replacement for standard care, but as a way to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and improve overall outcomes.
How hyperbaric oxygen Helps Inflammation
By delivering pure oxygen under pressure, creating powerful effects in the body:
- Reduces inflammatory signals: decreases harmful inflammatory cytokines while boosting protective, anti-inflammatory ones.
- Balances the immune system: It modulates regulatory immune cells, helping prevent the immune system from becoming overactive.
- Improves blood flow and swelling: hyperbaric oxygen causes mild vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), which reduces swelling and edema throughout the body.
- Supports healing energy: By enhancing mitochondria, the “power plants” of our cells, HBOT provides more energy for the body to repair itself.
- Eases pain: hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates mu and kappa receptors in the brain, which can provide natural pain relief and help patients use less medication.
Rheumatism, Arthritis, and Migraines
- Rheumatoid arthritis & systemic rheumatism: reduces inflammation and helps protect joints while complementing standard rheumatology treatments.
- Osteoarthritis: While it doesn’t reverse degeneration, hyperbaric oxygen helps calm inflammation triggered by friction and wear-and-tear, easing flares.
- Migraines: As a bonus, the vasoconstriction effect of HBOT can help reduce migraine frequency and intensity. Some patients even find it can stop an acute migraine episode when used as part of treatment.
What HBOT Is (and Isn’t)
It’s important to be clear:
- hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not a cure for rheumatism, arthritis, or autoimmune disease.
- It is not meant to replace your rheumatologist’s prescribed medications.
- Instead, it’s a supportive therapy that can reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and sometimes help lower the amount of medication needed.
The Bottom Line
For patients living with rheumatism, arthritis, or chronic inflammation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can make a real difference. By calming the immune system, reducing swelling, and supporting natural healing, offers relief where standard therapies may not be enough on their own.
At Noah Clinics, we work alongside your existing care team—not instead of them—to ensure hyperbaric oxygen is used safely and effectively as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy won’t cure rheumatism, but it can help you live with less pain, less swelling, and more freedom in your daily life.
