Hyperbaric Oxygen Can Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, (RA) is a painful and debilitating disease. Our experience at Bay Area Hyperbarics has resulted in surprising relief for patients who come in during an acute flare-up. One patient could not work and was fully incapacitated. Her hands were swollen, red, very painful and her ability to move them and perform basic daily tasks was greatly reduced. For example, holding a pen was painful. She came in desperate for relief. After only a week of hyperbaric oxygen sessions, her inflammation, swelling and pain were negligible. She went back to work and her husband was so grateful he sent us a case of wine as a thank you.

The studies and articles on hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been quite positive for both animal studies and human studies. For example on study found the following:

“SOD activity, lipoperoxide value in serum, ESR, and Lansbury's index of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis under hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy were ... investigated. SOD values of synovial fluid and of leukocytes in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis group were found to be higher than those from osteoarthritis group. No significant difference was found the SOD values in leukocytes of blood and synovial membrane between two groups. In the patients with rheumatoid arthritis under HBO therapy the SOD activity was increased, whereas lipoperoxide values was decreased. Furthermore, ESR and Lansbury's index showed a remarkable recovery. These results suggest that HBO therapy may be an effective treatment for the patients with rheumatoid arthritis.”

If you are considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy for you or someone you love, give us a call and we can help you evaluate your situation and if HBOT is the right choice.