Author: Brandon Costa

The Healing Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Persistent Post Concussion Syndrome

Posted on | by Brandon Costa

Traumatic Brain Injury: The “Signature Injury” of members of the U.S. Armed Forces

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are two of the most prevalent injuries suffered by members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center reported total cases of mTBI between 2000 and 2021 to be nearly 454,000 but many veterans are not diagnosed for months or years after separating from service. TBI and PTSD are injuries that affect the whole family and active duty members, veterans and their families are suffering.

What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

TBI is caused by a jarring of the head possibly from a fall, accident, explosion, repeated gunfire exposure or a blow to the head. The jarring causes damage to brain tissue, blood vessels and cells that link areas of the brain and the brain to the body. Symptoms are insidious and, if left untreated, worsen over time. Symptoms may include confusion, vertigo, sleep disturbance, memory loss, headaches, blurred vision, tinnitus, anger, mood swings, slowed thinking, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. A complicating risk factor for mTBI is a person’s lifetime accumulation of TBI events. Receiving multiple concussions has been associated with greater risk of developing progressive neurodegenerative conditions, like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and early-onset dementia. Many veterans will not receive early diagnosis or will not seek treatment and in individuals with chronic, persistent symptoms of TBI, traditional medical interventions may be less than successful.

A complicating risk factor for mTBI is a person’s lifetime accumulation of TBI events. Receiving multiple concussions has been associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation as well as greater risk of developing progressive neurodegenerative conditions, like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and early-onset dementia. Many veterans will not receive early diagnosis or will not seek treatment and in individuals with chronic, persistent symptoms of TBI, traditional medical interventions may be less than successful.

The Power of HBOT

The power of HBOT is in the processes that occur in the body when breathing 100% oxygen at simulated depths below sea level. During therapy, studies have shown that HBOT helps reduce inflammation, create new blood vessels (angiogenesis), improve cellular functions, trigger the mobilization and growth of new stem cells and help eliminate anaerobic bacteria.

By going under pressure, oxygen is forced to dissolve into the plasma and get to the injured areas, saturating the hypoxic tissue, muscle and bone. This forces the inflammation to go down and the growth of new blood vessels forcing accelerated healing, which reduces bruising, swelling and pain. Increased oxygen also stimulates stem cells and reduces lactic acid.

How Does HBOT Improve Symptoms of TBI?

HBOT has been used to treat decompression sickness for more than 75 years. It is used daily in hospitals to reduce inflammation and heal wounds. Here, we just use it to help reduce inflammation and heal the wound in the brain.

Recent tudies show the efficacy of HBOT for numerous health conditions including mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and symptoms of PTSD. Research published in March 2022 showed symptomatic and cognitive improvements in veterans with mTBI Persistent Postconcussion Syndrome who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In the past, it was believed that once brain cells were injured they could not be revitalized. In the recent past, studies have shown injured cells can rejuvenate with the increased pressure to force 100% oxygen to the injured tissue. Evidence such as SPECT imaging, computer-based cognitive assessments, self-assessments and QEEG conducted pre and post therapy prove the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as effective and a healthy intervention for many types of brain injuries.

What to Expect

Here at Tier I Therapy Centers, you will receive HBOT in one of our two hyperbaric chambers. In our four-person, multi-place chamber, 100% oxygen is administered through a light weight hood while the chamber is pressurized in air to specific depths below sea level. You will remain at depth for 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your prescription. You will be in the sitting position during treatment and can read or watch a family-friendly movie provided by our staff.

Testimonial – Dave’s Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eDg4oWVJNQ

Dave explains in this video, “One of the things I want to appeal to veterans who might be seeing this video is that I (and just about everybody that I have talked to) was the hardest person to persuade to go [to hyperbaric oxygen therapy] because I think all of us have this innate feeling is that somebody has it worse and they should go. And that may be true, that there are plenty of other veterans who are suffering from TBI symptoms worse than you. But you have to realize these symptoms do not get better without treatment. They only get worse.

So if you’re out there and you are on the fence, you need to think in terms of do I want to be a better father? Do I want to be a better husband? Do I want to perform better in whatever I am doing in my life? Because if the answer to any of those is yes, then you need to sign up and not worry about the guys who aren’t, get in [there] and get treated.”

What are you waiting for? Tier I Therapy Centers have been helping veterans with traumatic brain injury heal since 2014. Let us help you get back in the game now. To learn more about hyperbaric oxygen therapy for brain injury, call 757-452-3934.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is not to be considered medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-approved, off-label indications is considered to be investigational.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Stroke Recovery

Posted on | by Brandon Costa

Each year, nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke. One in 6 people will have a stroke in their lifetime. Stroke is the leading cause of death for Americans and the leading cause of serious long-term disability.1 A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is stopped either by a blockage (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (subarachnoid hemorrhage or ruptured aneurysm). The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke. Damage in the brain from a stroke can happen very quickly, as the cells begin to die without oxygen. Until clot-dissolving drugs were developed in the 1980s, there was no treatment for the most common type of stroke (ischemic).

 Stroke survivors can have life-long residual symptoms and disabilities as a result of injured brain tissue from the stroke and recovery can be very difficult. Most of the recovery is made within 30 days after a stroke, although some people experience improvements for at least 90 days. Some of these symptoms include pain, difficulty walking or balancing, speech impairment or speech loss, memory loss, mood swings, irritability, and difficulty eating or swallowing. Life in the aftermath of a stroke can be complicated and difficult for anyone to cope with, especially if they were previously healthy and active.

The common belief in neurology is that a stroke is only treatable if therapy can be delivered within four to five hours of the stroke. World-renowned hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) expert, Dr. Paul Harch, says this is simply not true. When a patient can begin treatment early, it is true there is a much higher chance of healing and recovery. However, studies show HBOT can be effective at all stages of recovery including acute, subacute (weeks to months), and chronic (greater than 6 months). The key is reoxygenating the stroke-damaged tissue, which is exactly what hyperbaric oxygen therapy does. Research done by Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and showed that clinical improvements were achieved regardless of the type, location or side of the stroke.

By going under pressure, oxygen is forced to dissolve into the plasma and get to the injured areas, saturating the hypoxic tissue, improving blood flow, inducing neuroplasticity and providing healing. Dr. Harch shares in his interview on HBOT News Network , “The concept is rooted in the idea that brain cells don’t have to die, that they can be partially injured and can be revived.” He describes it as an “idling neuron” state, which is like an intermediate state where the neuron has been injured and knocked down to the idling level. “It does not have enough metabolic capacity to send its electrical signals and if the neuron can’t send its signals, it can’t give you function.”

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a 300-year old medical therapy that works by using 100% pure oxygen under pressure to reoxygenate idling neurons in the damaged tissue before they die. HBOT has no known effect on dead brain tissue. Hyperbaric oxygen will stimulate new blood vessel growth which contributes to further return of function. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is a very easy and safe treatment, especially for older patients who suffer stroke and may have difficulty with more intensive treatments. Once the brain has begun to heal, it is quite possible the patient will be more responsive to physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Our patients who have received HBOT for stroke recovery have reported experiencing significant improvement in strength, endurance, balance, memory, mood and motor skills. Some patients also feel less pain, begin to speak more clearly with noticeable improvement in their ability to perform daily activities. Even small gains, as our patient Ron reports, can have a significant impact on quality of life. And when coupled with other therapies for stroke, HBOT can often have even greater benefits. Click here to see Ron’s story of his stroke recovery with 40 sessions of HBOT.

To find out if hyperbaric oxygen therapy for stroke recovery may be right for you or a loved one, call us today at 757-452-3934.

  1. CDC Stroke Facts, https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.html

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is not to be considered medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-approved, off-label indications is considered to be investigational.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sports Injury Recovery

Posted on | by Brandon Costa

Whether you are a marathon runner, softball player, football player or avid golfer, you are always at risk of injury. You want to be on top of the game and are constantly pushing harder and faster, but what happens when you get injured? How long are you stuck out of the game? Concussions, sprains, breaks and tears can cost you months from do

ing what you love, sometimes having to give it up altogether. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a great tool for a boost in athletic performance and recovery after injury as a primary or adjunct treatment.

How it helps

By going under pressure, oxygen is forced to dissolve into the plasma and get to the injured areas, saturating the hypoxic tissue, muscle, and bone. This forces the inflammation to go down and the growth of new blood vessels thereby accelerating healing, which reduces bruising, swelling and pain. Increased oxygen also stimulates stem cells and reduces lactic acid.

HBOT for Sports-Related Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome in Children

Of the nearly 3 million TBIs reported every year, nearly 10% happen while playing sports. According to the CDC, “Children have the highest rate of emergency department visits for traumatic brain (TBI) injury of all age groups. TBI affects children differently than adults. An injury of any severity to the developing brain can disrupt a child’s development and may result in restrictions in school and participation in activities (e.g., sports).  As a result of TBI, children can experience changes in their health, thinking, and behavior that affect learning, self-regulation, and social participation, all of which are important in becoming a productive adult.”

Matt’s Story – Post Concussion Syndrome

Matt suffered multiple concussions playing high school soccer, his most recent resulting in an impact seizure on the field during Sand Soccer at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. This once outgoing and social teenager struggled with post concussion syndrome and spent years depressed, unable to concentrate, memory loss, reduced ability to form thoughts into words and even dropped out of his senior year to be homeschooled. When told by doctors that this was Matt’s new normal, his mother refused to settle. Researching days on end, Matt’s mother discovered hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After 40 dives, the fog that had clouded Matt’s brain for so long had disappeared. He noticed improvements about halfway through treatment and was even able to wean himself off Adderall.

“I was able to speak more clearly and my thoughts were processing the way I wanted them to,” Matt said. He went on to earn A’s and B’s in his Environmental Science studies at Virginia Tech. 

Click here to see a local news interview with Matt and his mother after completing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

At Tier I Therapy Centers, we are experienced in treating patients with sports injuries, mTBI and post concussion syndrome, including professional and olympic athletes, combat veterans and first responders. Our patients search for healthy, effective interventions to find relief from myriad symptoms that brain injury creates. Those symptoms include anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches, cognitive decline, memory loss, chronic pain and many other issues that create challenges in everyday life.

In the past, it was believed that once brain cells were injured they could not be revitalized. More recently, studies have shown injured cells can rejuvenate months or years after the original injury with the increased pressure to force 100% oxygen to the injured tissue. Evidence such as SPECT imaging, computer-based cognitive assessments, self-assessments and QEEG conducted pre and post therapy prove the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and neurotherapy as effective and healthy interventions for many types of brain injuries.

What are you waiting for? Let us help you heal faster and get you back in the game now. To learn more about hyperbaric oxygen treatment for athletic recovery, call 757-452-3934.

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is not to be considered medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-approved, off-label indications is considered to be investigational.

The Healing Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for IBD and Crohn’s Disease

Posted on | by Brandon Costa

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation to the digestive and intestinal tract. The two main types of IBD are Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation in the digestive tract and Crohn’s Disease affects the lining of the digestive tract.

Both can lead to severe, painful symptoms. Symptoms such as reduced appetite, diarrhea, trouble going to the bathroom or frequent trips to the bathroom, bloody stools, weight loss, abdominal pain, fatigue, and more. Many patients stop responding to the approved drugs and steroids for IBD over time and nothing seems to help.

How can hyperbaric oxygen help?

Hyperbaric oxygen is a natural and noninvasive therapy that gets into the hypoxic areas of the body and can reduce inflammation and swelling, start the growth of new blood vessels, recruit stem cell production, speed healing, help remove toxins and metabolic waste from tissue and strengthen the immune system. Some patients who have gone through hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been able to get off steroid medication, have regular bowel movements, regain weight and return to living a healthy life as a result.

Research on HBOT for IBD

A 2021 Medical Gas Research narrative review of  clinical and experimental studies concluded that “HBOT may exert its therapeutic effect by inhibiting inflammation and strengthening the antioxidant system, promoting the differentiation of colonic stem cells and recruiting cells involved in repair.” Of the 18 studies included in the review, the overall response rate of HBOT in ulcerative colitis was 83.24% and in Crohn’s disease was 81.89.

A 2012 systematic review by Dr. Dan Rossignol examined 13 studies that looked at the impact of HBOT on CD and 6 specifically for UC and summarized that HBOT absolutely helped both UC and CD by lowering inflammatory cytokines and reducing inflammation and evidence of oxidative stress. There was an approximate 86% improvement in CD patients and 88% improvement in UC patients. Followup endoscopy with 40 UC patients indicated a 100% response rate.

Cytokines play a crucial role in the “pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, where they control multiple aspects of the inflammatory response. In particular, the imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines that occurs in IBD impedes the resolution of inflammation and instead leads to disease perpetuation and tissue destruction.” (PubMed April 22, 2014)

“This [hyperbaric oxygen therapy] is a treatment for wounds in any location and any duration.” Dr. Paul Harch

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used every day in hospitals for wound healing. People with UC and CD basically have chronic, nonhealing intestinal wounds. Whether the wound is internal or external, it is essentially the same mechanism of healing with cytokine balancing, inflammation control and activation of the body’s own healing response.

In Part I of his nine-part YouTube series, “HBOT Conversations,” on HBOT News Network channel, world-renowned hyperbaric oxygen expert Dr. Paul Harch explains, “What people have to realize is that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not a treatment for diseases. People have always thought that and that is the way it got defined in the United States, as a disease-specific treatment – it’s good for X, Y, and Z – these 13 diagnoses. The reality is, it is a treatment for disease processes, the processes that cause the diseases. And these are basic processes that are present in many, many diseases. That’s why hyperbaric oxygen can be applied to so many of them….And if you look at them, the vast majority can be understood as “wounding conditions.” This is a treatment for wounds, in any location and of any duration.”

Tier I Therapy Centers has been helping patients with internal and external wounds heal since 2014. Contact us today for a consultation!

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is not to be considered medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-FDA approved, off-label indications is considered to be investigational.

Posted in IBD

Restorative Therapies for First Responders

Posted on | by Brandon Costa

THE PROBLEM: First Responders are Suffering from Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress and Injury. First responders suffer multiple injuries and are exposed to primary and secondary trauma throughout their careers. Repeated exposure to trauma results in psychological distress similar to the traumatized victims. Preliminary results released in May 2022 by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police summarize answers from 2,635 first responders, or about 20% of all first responders across the state. Clinical scores revealed as much as 20% of officers who responded are experiencing moderate to severe depression and/or anxiety, PTSD, problems with alcohol and thoughts of suicide.

Of law enforcement respondents who received scores of clinical significance, the vast majority did not have a formal diagnosis (69% for depression, 74% for anxiety, 73% for PTSD).

THE SOLUTION: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Neurotherapy

How HBOT Works: HBOT has been used to treat decompression sickness for more than 75 years. It is used daily in hospitals to heal wounds. Neurofeedback has been used since the 1970’s as an adjunctive therapy for a variety of psychiatric disorders including generalized anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress and addictive disorders.

 

Today, studies show the efficacy of HBOT for numerous other health conditions including depression, anxiety and symptoms of PTSD. Research shows that HBOT used in conjunction with other brain treatments, such as neurofeedback, makes that treatment more effective.

 

The power of HBOT is in the processes that occur in the body when breathing 100% oxygen at simulated depths below sea level. During therapy, studies have shown that HBOT helps reduce inflammation, create new blood vessels (angiogenesis), improve cellular functions, trigger the mobilization and growth of new stem cells and help eliminate anaerobic bacteria.

 

How Neurotherapy Works: The brain is the center of our emotions. Each emotion and behavior we have has associated brainwaves. Neurotherapy is a drug-free, non-invasive way to measure brainwave activity and treat common mental health challenges.

 

Using QEEG, we can identify brain wave imbalances and irregularities. After careful analysis of the data, we can accurately address the irregularity in brainwave activity to effectively treat the condition. A 2022 retrospective study of 593 participants demonstrated the effectiveness of remote neurofeedback in improving depression, anxiety and cognitive decline.

 

The human brain is changeable, which means it will respond to conditioning. Through a series of neurofeedback sessions, the brain can learn how to self-regulate. It is similar to the idea of physical conditioning, where a person’s muscles grow stronger with repeated exercise. Click here to see a success story of how the military is testing the effectiveness of neurofeedback to treat concussion or mild traumatic brain injury in soldiers to improve emotional issues and sleep disturbance.

 

HBOT Testimonial of Police Officer Hit By Drunk Driver at Routine Traffic Stop

Retired Virginia Beach Police Officer, Ted Marriner, was hit by a drunk driver in 2005. He was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury and had been suffering with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) for 9 years. His chronic symptoms included headaches, disrupted sleep cycles. balance issues, anger outbursts and cognitive issues to name a few. Studies show HBOT improves symptoms of PCS months or even years after the original injury. Click here to see Ted talk about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy healed his brain injury, improved his symptoms and gave him back his quality of life.

 

“It took me several years of trying to find something and after so much disappointment and hopelessness, and finally finding somebody who was willing to take the ball and run with it, actually get in, get the treatment and see the difference…it works. I don’t have any question about it.”

 

At Tier I Therapy Centers, we “take the ball and run with it,” specializing in restorative therapies for first responders. We combine traditional counseling/therapy with neuro and biofeedback and neuromodulation to ensure a comprehensive, individualized treatment protocol for patients who experience depression, anxiety, ASD, traumatic brain injury, cognitive decline, compassion fatigue, operator syndrome, post traumatic stress and trauma.

 

Call today and speak with one of our friendly staff members about whether or not hyperbaric oxygen therapy and/or neurotherapy is right for you. 757-452-3934.

 

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is not to be considered medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-approved, off-label indications is considered to be investigational.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Long-Haul COVID-19

Posted on | by Brandon Costa

Long-Haul COVID wreaks havoc on millions of Americans.

SARS-CoV-2 can attack the body in a variety of ways and cause long term damage to lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, nervous system and other organs. The acute phase lasts a few days to a few weeks but reports from doctors around the country state that only a small percentage of patients with COVID 19 are completely free of symptoms more than 12 weeks after the initial infection. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 30% of the 5.5 million patients hospitalized with COVID-19 since August 2020 are suffering from long COVID syndrome, also known as long-haul COVID or post COVID conditions. That means over 1.6 million people suffer a range of lingering symptoms including lung scar tissue, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, kidney damage, distorted taste and smell, cognitive issues, fatigue, headaches and dizziness. Long-haul COVID is not just limited to those who were severely ill. Even patients who experienced mild to medium COVID symptoms (which, according to Brown University’s School of Public Health, includes as many as 30 million Americans) are suffering from symptoms of long-haul COVID.

 

What is long-haul COVID?

The World Health Organization defines long-haul COVID as occurring “in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection, usually 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms that last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by any other diagnosis. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction but also others and generally have an impact on everyday functioning. Symptoms may be new onset following initial recovery from an acute COVID-19 episode or persist from the initial illness, which fluctuate or relapse over time.”

 

What are the symptoms of Long-Haul COVID?

Cognitive impairments may linger after acute coronavirus infection. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, some people are left with lingering physical weakness, depression, anxiety and report changes in the way they think, speak, remember and concentrate. These lingering symptoms can be complicated by long periods of isolation, job loss, financial difficulties or grief from the death of loved ones. 

 

Long-Haul COVID Recovery with HBOT

Doctors and clinics around the globe are starting to look at hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a way to combat post COVID 19 syndrome due to its proven anti-inflammatory effects. A pilot study is currently being conducted to study pulmonary fibrosis and other sequelae in patients who have had COVID-19 with lingering symptoms past 12 weeks of recovery from the acute phase.

 

Patients with lingering symptoms of COVID who have failed traditional medical therapies such as inhalers, steroids and supplements are finding symptom improvement with HBOT.  They report being able to breathe easier, improved physical strength, more energy and better mental focus.  Tessa had been suffering from symptoms of long-haul covid for more than a year. She had been prescribed inhalers and steroids and tried different supplements for her shortness of breath, chronic fatigue and insomnia but wasn’t getting better. Her doctor had little left to try and finally suggested she try hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Tessa said after 15 treatments, “I’ve had the best days I’ve had in months,” remarking shortness of breath is better as well as improved energy levels and sleep quality.

 

Tier I Therapy Centers have been successful in treating patients experiencing lingering symptoms of long-haul COVID such as cognitive impairment, chronic fatigue, chronic inflammation, and/or trouble breathing, using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Call us today for a consultation to see if HBOT is right for you!

 

Testimonials

Tessa’s Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjmmD-JaY_o

Mae’s Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRytg5tJ4Iw

 

*Disclaimer: Information provided here is not to be considered medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-approved, off-label indications is considered to be investigational.