The Answer:
There’s an old joke that sometimes gets told in the operating room when a doctor becomes the patient. The story goes like this: the physician, now a patient, asks the surgeon, “After the surgery, will I be able to play the piano?” The surgeon responds, “Well, could you play it before?” When the answer is no, the punchline lands on its own.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has nothing to do with piano playing, but it does share something in common with the joke: it’s about expectations. Like most therapies, HBOT has its strengths, nuances, and limitations. It is not a one-session miracle cure from a science fiction story. Instead, it works gradually and systematically within the body.
HBOT functions by hyperoxygenating the plasma in your blood. This means not only are your red blood cells fully saturated with oxygen, but your blood plasma also carries a high level of dissolved oxygen. This hyperoxia triggers a range of beneficial physiological effects. These include:
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Reduction in inflammatory factors.
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Increase in anti-inflammatory responses.
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Immune system modulation.
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Collagen production.
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Activation and multiplication of stem cells.
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Growth of new blood vessels.
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Enhanced mitochondrial function.
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Neuroplasticity and brain healing.
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Tissue salvage in areas with limited oxygen.
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Activation of pain-modulating receptors.
These effects are powerful but take time. Many of these internal processes begin as early as the first treatment, but noticeable improvements might not appear until the fifth session or later. This is because the changes start at the cellular and molecular levels before affecting how a person feels physically.
This pattern is not unique to HBOT. In cardiology, for example, heart dysfunction often shows up on imaging before a patient experiences chest pain or abnormal EKG results. Likewise, many people suffer silent heart attacks without knowing it. The body reacts to injury quickly, but it heals more slowly.
So, how many treatments are needed to see benefits from HBOT? The answer depends on the condition being treated. Acute conditions like surgical wounds or traumatic injuries tend to respond more quickly than chronic or neurologic issues, such as long COVID, chronic fatigue, or brain injury.
One of the most important steps in the journey is the initial consultation. At Noah Clinics, we take time during the first visit to understand each patient’s medical history and reasons for seeking therapy. This allows us to determine whether HBOT is appropriate and what kind of outcomes are realistic to expect.
We make sure every patient knows what to expect, how the process works, and what benefits they may see over time. That way, no one walks into the chamber expecting to walk out playing piano, unless they already could, of course.
If you’re curious about what HBOT could do for your health and wellness, we invite you to visit us at Noah Clinics and explore how oxygen therapy may support your healing journey.
