Hyperbaric Vermont is excited to welcome two new members to our patient care team!
Shay Gestal-Smith is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach from Craftsbury, Vermont. She worked as a Physical Therapy Aide, collegiate soccer coach, and Certified Rolfer before starting her Functional Medicine practice in 2020. Shay is passionate about helping clients achieve their individual health goals and is excited about the healing effects of HBOT. Shay is an avid soccer player and professional musician, and enjoys spending time with her husband Taylor and their two cats.
Susie Therrien was born in Williston and graduated from UVM Medical School in 1993. She worked at Framingham Metro West Center & Shields Health Care in Oncology for nine years until she moved to Charlotte to raise her family. For the past 7 years she’s worked as an independent in home care provider for residents in Shelburne and Charlotte. She also serves asAd Manager for the Charlotte News. She’s also interested in holistic teachings, herbalism, nonfiction self help books, hiking, running, yoga, meditation, weight training, biking, spending time with community, friends and family.
Both of these women are great with patients and passionate about the healing power of HBOT. We know you’ll enjoy working with them as much as we enjoy having them around!
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in integrative medicine, a field that combines conventional medical practices with complementary and alternative therapies. Among these therapies, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) stands out as a promising modality that complements traditional treatments. This article explores the principles behind integrative medicine and the role of HBOT in promoting holistic healing.
Understanding Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine focuses on treating the whole person, considering aspects that are:
Physical
Emotional
Mental
Social
Spiritual
It emphasizes the partnership between patients and healthcare providers to address health concerns comprehensively. Rather than merely treating symptoms, integrative medicine seeks to identify and address the root causes of illness, promoting overall wellness and vitality.
Principles of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
At Hyperbaric Vermont, we offer mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, using pressurized chambers and enriched oxygen to deliver oxygen to hypoxic tissue, speed tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and increase neuroplasticity.
You sit or lie comfortably while the increased pressure allows for greater oxygen dissolution in the blood, leading to higher oxygen levels in tissues and perfusing all of the organs of the body with high levels of oxygen.
Integrative Medicine
In integrative medicine, HBOT is utilized as part of a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to individual patient needs. By enhancing oxygen delivery to tissues, HBOT complements other therapeutic modalities, such as nutritional counseling, acupuncture, massage therapy, and mind-body practices like meditation and yoga. Integrating HBOT into a holistic approach to healing allows for synergistic effects, optimizing the body’s ability to heal and recover.
Applications Of HBOT In Integrative Medicine
Here are four ways the worlds of HBOT and integrative medicine intertwine:
Chronic Wound Healing: HBOT promotes wound healing by increasing oxygen levels in tissues, stimulating the formation of new blood vessels, and enhancing the body’s immune response to infection. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with non-healing wounds, diabetic ulcers, and vascular insufficiencies.
Addressing Neurological Conditions: HBOT has shown promising results in the treatment of neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. By reducing inflammation and improving oxygenation to the brain, HBOT supports neuronal repair and enhances cognitive function.
Improving Sports Performance and Recovery: Athletes are increasingly turning to HBOT to accelerate recovery from injuries, enhance performance, and reduce muscle fatigue. The increased oxygen delivery during HBOT sessions helps repair muscle tissue damage, reduce inflammation, and replenish energy stores, allowing athletes to recover faster and perform at their best.
Bolstering Immune Function: HBOT is a natural antibiotic and has immunomodulatory effects, bolstering the immune system’s response to infections and chronic inflammatory conditions and normalizing immune function in autoimmune disorders. By optimizing immune function, HBOT helps the body resist illness and maintain overall health and vitality.
Integrative medicine emphasizes a holistic approach to healing, addressing the interconnected aspects of health and wellness. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy plays a valuable role in integrative medicine by serving as a natural antibiotic, stimulating brain healing, reducing inflammation, and supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
By integrating HBOT with other therapeutic modalities, healthcare providers can offer patients comprehensive treatment options that enhance overall well-being and vitality.
To learn more about your options, please reach out to Hyperbaric Vermont! We’re happy to answer questions or help in any way we can.
Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide, significantly impacting their quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. Traditional pain management approaches often involve medication, physical therapy, or surgery, but these may not always provide adequate relief or may come with unwanted side effects.
In recent years, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a promising alternative for managing chronic pain. Let’s delve into the role of HBOT in chronic pain management and its potential benefits.
The Basics Of HBOT And Pain Management
One of the primary mechanisms through which HBOT alleviates chronic pain is by enhancing tissue repair and reducing inflammation. Chronic pain often arises from tissue damage, nerve injuries, or inflammatory conditions.
By increasing oxygen levels in the body, HBOT stimulates the release of growth factors and stem cells and reduces cytokine levels and fibrinogen, promoting tissue regeneration and repair. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, so helpful in addressing any “itis,” including neuritis, arthritis, colitis, and the pain and inflammation caused by extreme exercise.
HBOT also improves blood flow to damaged tissues, facilitating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients essential for healing. Many chronic pain conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease, involve compromised blood flow to affected areas, leading to insufficient oxygen levels in the tissue, resulting in tissue damage, pain and inhibiting healing.
Through the increased pressure, HBOT perfuses all of the tissue with high levels of oxygen, relieving pain and spurring the growth and repair of nerves and blood vessels.
HBOT As An Analgesic?
Another noteworthy aspect of HBOT is its analgesic effect. Studies on fibromyalgia and migraines have demonstrated that HBOT can directly reduce pain perception by influencing neural pathways involved in pain signaling. Increased oxygen levels in the bloodstream lead to the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which also alleviate discomfort and improve overall well-being.
The Painful Conditions HBOT Can Help
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has a unique ability to be beneficial for a wide range of chronic pain conditions. From musculoskeletal disorders like fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis to neurological conditions such as neuropathic pain and migraine headaches, HBOT has shown promise in providing relief where other treatments have fallen short. Additionally, HBOT can complement existing pain management strategies, offering a holistic approach to addressing chronic pain.
Do you have questions about how HBOT can help your chronic pain or someone in your family who is struggling? We invite you to contact us to learn more about treatment. You can ask questions and find out if HBOT is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing what Hyperbaric Vermont has to offer!
Hyperbaric Vermont’s Managing Director Kathryn Blume was recently interviewed for The Marketer’s Edge podcast about everything from her philosophies about marketing to why HBOT is such a valuable treatment modality to why she works as a wedding officiant. It’s a lively and broad-ranging conversation which we think you’ll completely enjoy!
March 15 is Long COVID Awareness Day, and in conjunction with the COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project (C19LAP), we invite you to learn more about Long COVID and how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can serve as a valuable treatment modality for this immensely challenging and impactful condition.
C19LAP is working on a national and international platform of advocacy, and taking the lead on a number of initiatives, including:
Reaching out and meeting with members of Congress to encourage funding for Long COVID
Asking for more support for the Long COVID community
Urging President Biden to mention Long COVID during the State of the Union Address
Organizing light up events at monuments, landmarks, and homes
Advocating for Congress to formally name and honor Long COVID Awareness Day
Providing awareness day T-shirts, profile pictures, and infographics you can share
Understanding Long COVID
Long COVID is a chronic condition estimated to impact approximately 20% of people infected with COVID-19, including children and those with no pre-existing health conditions, according to C19LAP. Reinfections also increase the chances of developing or worsening Long COVID.
Long COVID can significantly impact quality of life, impair activities of daily living, reduce one’s ability to work, and has been recognized as a disability under the ADA. As of 2022, Long COVID was estimated to cost the United States at least $3.7 trillion dollars/year.
Common side effects of Long COVID can persist for weeks or months after the acute phase of the illness, and can consist of any number of symptoms such as:
Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain)
Depression or anxiety
Hair loss
Skin rashes
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Persistent fever
Symptoms resembling autoimmune diseases
Neurological symptoms (such as difficulty concentrating or memory problems)
Post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after physical or mental activity)
Blood clotting issues
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy And Long COVID
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is useful in combating these challenges thanks to its ability to speed healing in your body by encouraging new growth in tissues, stem cells, and blood vessels. HBOT enhances your overall immune function and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. HBOT is also helpful in treating the chronic brain fog and reduced heart function associated with Long COVID.
HBOT also supports cellular repair mechanisms and promotes recovery from persistent fatigue, cognitive impairments, and other lingering symptoms associated with long COVID, improving the overall quality of life for affected individuals of all ages.
If you want to learn more about how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can help heal Long COVID, we’ve got a number of studies posted on our Resources page. And of course, always feel free to give us a call!
Wound healing is a complex process that requires the coordinated efforts of various cells, proteins, electrical and biochemical signals. While our bodies have remarkable restorative capabilities, certain wounds may be difficult to heal completely.
In such cases, treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) offer promising solutions. HBOT involves breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber, allowing oxygen to more effectively reach all the body’s tissues, thereby promoting healing.
Understanding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Under normal conditions, oxygen is transported in the blood bound to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells. However, HBOT’s increased pressure sends oxygen into the plasma, allowing it to reach areas with compromised blood flow, such as wounds or damaged tissues. This stimulates healing by providing cells with the oxygen they need to carry out essential functions and repair damage.
Because oxygen plays a critical role in the formation of collagen, the growth of new capillaries, and the control of infection, HBOT can be particularly effective for wounds that have not responded to conventional treatments or those in areas with compromised blood flow.
Accelerated Wound Healing
One of the primary benefits of HBOT is its ability to expedite wound healing, as oxygen plays a crucial role in every stage of wound repair.
By supplying tissues with high concentrations of oxygen, HBOT enhances cellular metabolism, promotes the growth of new nerves and blood vessels (angiogenesis), and boosts the activity of immune cells, all of which contribute to faster healing.
Treatment Of Chronic And Non-Healing Wounds
Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure sores pose significant challenges due to impaired circulation and compromised tissue oxygenation.
HBOT addresses these issues by delivering oxygen directly to the wound bed, without having to rely on impaired blood vessels.
Studies show that HBOT can significantly improve healing rates and reduce the risk of complications in patients with chronic wounds.
Reduction Of Infection And Tissue Damage
Oxygen is inherently antimicrobial, making HBOT an effective adjunctive therapy for treating infected wounds.
Immune function is suppressed and bacteria thrive in low-oxygen environments. HBOT creates an oxygen-rich environment that inhibits bacterial growth and promotes the activity of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting infections.
Additionally, HBOT reduces tissue damage caused by ischemia (lack of blood flow) by supplying oxygen to oxygen-deprived tissues, preventing cell death, and preserving tissue integrity.
Management Of Radiation-Induced Injuries
Patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer may experience tissue damage and delayed wound healing as a side effect.
HBOT mitigates these effects by promoting the regeneration of damaged tissues, reducing inflammation, and enhancing the efficacy of radiation treatments. In fact, it’s the only treatment we have for radiation damaged tissue.
HBOT can also alleviate symptoms associated with radiation-induced injuries, such as bleeding, pain and swelling, improving patients’ quality of life.
The Long Run
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy represents a valuable therapeutic option for individuals with challenging wounds that are slow to heal or resistant to conventional treatments.
By harnessing the healing power of oxygen, HBOT accelerates wound healing, reduces the risk of infection, and preserves tissue viability. This offers hope to patients suffering from chronic wounds, radiation-induced injuries, and other complex conditions.
As research continues to uncover its mechanisms and applications, HBOT holds the potential to revolutionize wound care and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.
If you’ve got questions about whether HBOT can help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our staff is always happy to answer your questions, and help you on the road to health and healing.
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional sports, athletes constantly search for innovative methods to enhance their performance, speed up recovery, and prolong their careers. Recently, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been gaining traction as a healing modality in the world of high-level athletics.
This non-invasive treatment involves breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber or room, creating a therapeutic environment that can offer a wide variety of benefits for athletes. In this blog, we’ll explore the potential of HBOT in professional sports, especially in the National Football League (NFL), just in time for Superbowl LVIII.
Understanding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Simply put, HBOT is the medical use of oxygen at higher than average atmospheric pressure — in our case to 1.3 atmospheres or mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Oxygen is normally delivered via the bloodstream.
However, the increase in pressure floods all the body’s fluids, organs, and tissues with oxygen, allowing oxygen to reach places in your body where your vascular system doesn’t go.
The increased oxygen levels have a range of positive effects on cellular function and healing processes including:
It’s easy to see why athletes use HBOT as part of their training and recovery process.
HBOT In The NFL
No matter who you root for every Sunday or Superbowl Sunday, there might be a connection between HBOT and your favorite NFL team or player. Several organizations, including the defeated Baltimore Ravens, know how this treatment can affect its players. Aaron Rodgers, Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Namath, and more NFL stars incorporate HBOT into their training and recovery regimens.
Teams are investing in hyperbaric chambers, providing players with a convenient and effective means of utilizing this therapy. It’s worth noting that:
Many notable NFL players have publicly endorsed the benefits of HBOT, citing quicker recovery times and increased energy levels.
Some teams have reported reduced injury downtime, contributing to a more consistent and competitive roster throughout the season.
Benefits Of HBOT For All Athletes
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy isn’t just reserved for NFL teams. Professional athletes such as Tiger Woods, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Michael Phelps use HBOT to improve sleep, recovery, and peak performance. HBOT is considered game-changing in its ability to address:
Accelerated Recovery Athletes, especially in high-impact sports like football, often face injuries and muscle soreness. HBOT has been shown to promote faster recovery by reducing inflammation and enhancing the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Reduced Muscle Fatigue The increased oxygen levels in the bloodstream can help reduce muscle fatigue during intense training sessions or games. This could potentially give athletes a competitive edge in the later stages of a match or during crucial moments.
Enhanced Cognitive Function Professional athletes not only rely on physical prowess but also mental acuity. HBOT has been linked to improved cognitive function, potentially aiding players in decision-making, focus, and overall game awareness.
Tissue Repair and Regeneration The therapy has demonstrated the ability to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and enhance tissue repair. For athletes recovering from injuries, this could mean a faster and more efficient return to peak performance.
The pursuit of optimal performance is of paramount importance in professional sports, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is emerging as a promising avenue for athletes and their activities. The positive testimonials from players and teams suggest that HBOT could become a staple in the toolkit for enhancing athletic performance and recovery.
As research deepens and our understanding of HBOT becomes more sophisticated, it will be fascinating to witness how it transforms the landscape of professional sports, helping athletes reach new heights and redefining the limits of human potential.
It’s still early in 2024, and it may be time for a new approach to how you’re taking care of your health.
Are you or someone close to you ready to begin your Hyperbaric Vermont experience? Before you can explore all of the benefits mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has to offer, you’ll need a prescription.
We can provide this for you, or you may request it from your primary care provider or treating physician. This is an FDA requirement, underscoring the importance of medical oversight and professional guidance in administering this treatment.
However, this is no cause for concern, and is a valuable part of your patient intake process.
Hyperbaric Vermont offers both in-office and telehealth appointments designed to get to know you and the reasons for your interest in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
During your initial assessment with our provider, we’ll review your medical records, current medications, overall health, and the specific challenges compelling you to seek HBOT. Your treatment plan will vary according to the type of health issues you are managing.
This protocol aligns with the state’s commitment to ensuring patient safety and proper medical supervision. The prescription mandate serves multiple purposes, primarily:
Medical Evaluation: Requiring a prescription necessitates an evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. This evaluation helps determine if HBOT is an appropriate treatment for a patient’s specific condition, ensuring that potential risks are minimized and potential benefits are maximized.
Treatment Oversight: With a prescription, your healthcare provider oversees the patient’s progress and response to the therapy. Regular monitoring allows for adjustments in the treatment plan as needed, ensuring optimal outcomes and minimizing potential complications.
Regulatory Compliance: The prescription requirement aligns with state regulations and medical standards, ensuring that HBOT is administered safely and effectively.
While the necessity of a prescription may seem like an added hurdle for individuals seeking HBOT in Vermont, this oversight ensures that patients receive personalized care and appropriate treatment.
It also allows for informed discussions about the potential benefits, risks, and expectations associated with HBOT. Patients can actively engage with us, ask questions, and make informed decisions about their treatment journey.
It’s important to note that while Vermont mandates a prescription for HBOT, this requirement is not unique to the state. Similar regulations exist in many other regions and countries worldwide, emphasizing the need for responsible and supervised use of this therapeutic intervention.
Learn more about the process here with this short video from Dr. Jason Sonners from HBOT USA, whose written works are also eminently worth the read.
Healing happens with HBOT, but you have to get the conversation started with a consultation with us. Please reach out to us via phone or email to learn about your next steps to getting your prescription.
For Physicians
If you’re a physician, we welcome you to reach out to us before or after speaking with a patient about HBOT. Should you have any uncertainties, please contact our facility for more information or to speak with one of our practitioners. You can also access our prescription form at any time and complete it online.
A recent groundbreaking UK Biobank study found there are 15 factors, including alcohol misuse and loneliness, that can lead to a heightened chance of developing early-onset dementia. This neurological disorder is a persistent, yet silent challenge that leaves families dealing with its emotional and physical toll. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) could be a ray of hope with potential benefits to help in the fight against this condition.
Let’s explore more together because understanding is everything!
Understanding the Study Results
According to the study, about four million people worldwide have dementia symptoms before their 65th birthday. Researchers in England were interested in what affects someone’s tendency to develop dementia. This includes genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental circumstances. What they found were 15 possible factors that increased the potential early-onset risk, including:
Orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness/dizziness when you sit or stand after lying down)
Depression or loneliness
Alcohol intoxication
Diabetes
Heart disease
Hearing impairment
In some cases, researchers found that lower formal education and socioeconomic status were also “associated with young onset dementia incidence.”
Understanding Other Research and Factors for Alcohol Consumption
NPR covered a story last February looking for answers about the relationship between alcohol use and dementia. They spoke with Dr. Keun Hye Jeon who authored a study in South Korea with some interesting findings. While people who over-consume alcohol or regularly drink heavily are at an increased risk of developing dementia, mild to moderate consumption leads to a decrease in risk.
However, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should pick up a drink to remain in the clear. What shocked Jeon was the drastic drop in risk when someone cut back showing that, “heavy drinkers who moderated their intake were associated with an eight percent decrease in risk for dementia from all causes, and 12 percent risk of Alzheimer’s disease.” He said that to prevent the onset of dementia mild-to-moderate drinkers should not imbibe more, and those who consume alcohol heavily should cut back significantly.
For more information about what constitutes a standard drink in the U.S., check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s FAQs. (It may surprise you!)
Understanding a Possible Correlation Between Loneliness and Dementia
A 2020 study published in Neurology shed some light on the association between loneliness, brain changes, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Being an adult who’s regularly lonesome or shut off from society for three or more days per week, could be detrimental to brain health. This 10-year study showed that lonely people ages 60 to 79 were three times more likely to develop dementia than their counterparts who did not report feeling lonely.
Understanding the Role of HBOT in Dementia
A study from 2021, courtesy of researchers at Tel Aviv University and Shamir Medical Center, demonstrated that HBOT can increase blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients and the elderly with significant memory loss.
HBOT also enhances cellular repair and reduces inflammation, possibly slowing down the progression of dementia.
Understanding Dementia in Vermont
Dementia is a progressive condition characterized by a decline in cognitive function, impacting memory, reasoning, and daily life. As Vermont’s population ages, dementia becomes an increasingly prevalent concern. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 14,000 Vermonters are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a common form of dementia, and the number is expected to rise in the coming years.
It’s also worth noting that Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia are some of the most common forms of dementia, and that a growing body of research supports the use of HBOT to address them.
Understanding Vermont’s Approach to Integrative Healthcare
Vermont has long been a pioneer in adopting alternative and integrative healthcare practices. An awareness and emphasis on holistic well-being aligns with the philosophy behind Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. As awareness of HBOT grows, Vermonters may seek out this non-invasive treatment option to complement traditional approaches in early-onset dementia care or Alzheimer’s.
Understanding What You Can Do For You and Your Family
Vermont’s commitment to holistic healthcare and its openness to innovative treatments make it a promising setting for exploring Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy’s potential in dementia care. As research progresses, Vermonters may find new avenues for supporting cognitive health, contributing to the broader landscape of dementia care in the state.
With collaboration between healthcare providers and researchers, the intersection of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and dementia care may open doors to a more comprehensive approach to cognitive well-being in Vermont.
If you have questions about HBOT or would like more information, give us a call at 802-662-5993, or reach out via email at email hidden; JavaScript is required.
Thanks to a generous grant from SCHIP Charitable Upscale Resale, we are taking $25 off the cost of an intake and first Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy session for residents of Hinesburg, Shelburne, and Charlotte.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which involves breathing oxygen while enclosed in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber, is safe for use by everyone from infants to seniors, and has been well-researched and widely used around the world for decades to treat over one hundred chronic and acute health conditions.
Body tissues need oxygen to function, and the increased pressure inside the chamber saturates all the fluids and tissues of the body with oxygen, resulting in a wide range of therapeutic effects including:
Promoting tissue healing
Normalizing immune function
Repairing brain tissue and remyelinating neurons
Stimulating the growth of new tissue, stem cells, nerves and blood vessels
Fighting microbial, viral, and bacterial infections
We see a lot of chronic Lyme and Long COVID, but we also treat Traumatic Brain Injury from impacts like concussions or stroke, as well as autoimmune disorders like Lupus and Fibromyalgia, neurological conditions like MS and Parkinson’s, and inflammatory issues like arthritis.
Most people with chronic conditions require 20-40 treatments, which at market rates can be prohibitively expensive – especially for people who’ve already been financially impacted by struggling with a chronic or extreme condition.
Hyperbaric Vermont is a non-profit which offers subsidized care specifically to address this issue. Our treatment packages are designed to keep the cost of care down to around $65-70/treatment. We fundraise to make up the difference, and offer additional financial assistance when we can.
To that end, the grant from Shelburne’s SCHIP Charitable Upscale Resale will allow residents of Charlotte, Shelburne, and Hinesburg to get $25 off the $125 fee for an intake, prescription, and first HBOT treatment (or $115 with an outside prescription).
We’re so deeply grateful for SCHIP’s generosity, and their recognition of – and support for – our ability to make a positive difference in the community.
This program is for new patients only, and will continue as long as funds last.
Email us at email hidden; JavaScript is required or call 802-662-5993 to schedule an appointment.
