"It must be remebered at all times that hyperbaric medicine is not a panacea. It is one aspect of a well coordinated medical, surgical and hyperbaric plan aimed at optimizing patient outcome and the rational utilization of dwindling health care dollars."
Eric P Kindwall.
Hyperbaric Medicine Procedures. 1999
"The reason for success of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is that the pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood is markedly increased so that the cells can gain access to a supply of oxygen."
JYS Bao.
Proceedings of the Eighth International Congress on Hyperbaric Medicine. 1984
There is a general misunderstanding of the word "Approved" when referring to the use and application of Hyperbaric Oxygen. The term "Approved", when applied to Hyperbaric Oxygen does not necessarily imply, refer to, nor does it account for the scientific rationale, the historical research, the clinical evidence or the established effectiveness.This term simply implies that it is covered, or reimbursed by Public or Private Health Insurance providers. The actual definition of "Approved" Hyperbaric Oxygen would imply that "It is approved for payment by the insurance provider".
For example, the largest professional Hyperbaric Association in the world, the Japanese Society of Hyperbaric Medicine, "Approves" the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Acute Spinal Cord Injury; the Japanese Government considers Hyperbaric Oxygen a necessary standard-of-practice and its use is "Approved" for coverage under the national Japanese Health care.
Verban Deutscher Druckkammerzentren, the National German Hyperbaric Association, has "Approved" the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen as a standard for the treatment of Inner Ear Disorders.
Since the 1970s, Russia, China and other European and Asian countries have "Approved" the application of Hyperbaric Oxygen in respiratory complicationsat birth to prevent the single largest disability of childhood in the world - Cerebral Palsy. In fact, in these countries, full surgical procedures are conducted in hyperbaric chambers the size of an operating room; when there are suspected respiratory complications at birth, the delivery is conducted in a hyperbaric chamber; this practice is to prevent the child spending a life with severe disabilities.
Regardless of the decades of established practice and statisically high efficacy in these countries, not one of these applications are currently "Approved" for payment under any Public or Private Health Insurance program in North America.
In North America, Hyperbaric Oxygen is not necessarily a fringe, alternative or holistic therapy - not that there is something inherently wrong with these labels. There are numerous applications that are covered by health insurance providers. All of these applications typically fall under the category of Acute, Critical and Emergency Care.
Smoke Inhalation
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Problem Wounds / Diabetic Ulcers
Gas Gangrene
Soft Tissue Infections
Skin Grafts and Flaps
Exceptional Blood Loss
Thermal Burns
Air or Gas Embolism
Decompression Sickness
Osteomyelitis
Intracranial Abscess
Delayed Radiation Injury
Acute Traumatic Ischemias
Compartment Syndrome
Crush Injury
Even though these conditions are "Approved" by the various Physician and Surgeon Colleges throughout North America, and covered by various insurance providers, Hyperbaric Oxygen is still severely under-utilized.
Perhaps one of the largest examples of under-use involves the care of problematic wounds that do not heal - particularly the types of non-healing wounds that are common to diabetics. In this application, all professional associations in North America, and around the world, have acknowledged its validity; in this application, Hyperbaric Oxygen is an insured use, covered by health insurance providers.
As an established therapy for problem wounds, Hyperbaric Oxygen can exceed a rate of effectiveness over 90%... that is, over 90% of the time, amputation of a limb can be avoided.
Unfortunately, for the vast majority of those with this specific condition, amputation is a standardized response. A hyperbaric chamber is seldom readily available, even in specialized wound care facilities. Hyperbaric Oxygen is often not attempted in the treatment of these conditions even if a chamber is available.
This situation is also true for Burns. Despite the "Approved" and insured use of Hyperbaric Oxygen for this trauma, a hyperbaric chamber is not typically available in North American Burn Units, nor is it even generally offered to the victim. In this case, the victim is left with a life of severe disfigurement, even though Hyperbaric Oxygen is known to significantly reduce the factors responsible for such disfiguring tissue damage.
In addition to the Acute, Critical and Emergency applications that are covered by North American health insurance providers, Hyperbaric Oxygen isalso applied to chronic and stable conditions. These conditions are typically caused by or produces hypoxia (lack of oxygen in tissue).
There are numerous conditions for which Hyperbaric Oxygen has a valid scientific rationale, supporting research and clinical effectiveness. Some of these conditions include:
Cerebral Vascular Disease
Stroke
Brain Injury
Cerebral Palsy
Near Drowning
Autism
Multiple Sclerosis
Nerve Damage
Migraine
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue
Immune System Building
Asthma
Arthritis
Sports Injuries
Lyme Disease
Epilepsy
All Rights Reserved, Canadian Hyperbarics Ltd, 1998-2008 
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