Helping Speed Development in Autistic Patients with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Over the past 25 years, we have provided treatment to numerous children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for ASD yields mixed results, our clinic has consistently observed substantial enhancements in the quality of life for children with ASD and their families.
Over the past 25 years, we have provided treatment to numerous children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for ASD yields mixed results, our clinic has consistently observed substantial enhancements in the quality of life for children with ASD and their families.
How Hyperbarics Helps
Reduces inflammation in the brain
Stimulates stem cell reproduction and mobilization
Increases oxygen flow to hypoxic tissues
Stimulates the up-regulation of growth hormones
Improves sensory and cognitive awareness
Increases alertness, eye contact, attention span and language skills
Calms overactive regions of the brain and stimulates activity in parts of the brain with idling neurons
Improves motor skills (gross and fine)
Enhances social skills and human interactions
What the Research Says
We have treated dozens of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) over the last 25 years and have seen significant improvement in their and their families’ quality of life. Research is mixed on the benefits of HBOT for Autism, though there have been some key anecdotal studies highlighting positive results. Traditional treatment for autism spectrum disorders appears largely ineffective and can be quite costly. On the other hand, the parents we have met want so badly to help their children lead normal lives that we feel it appropriate to provide care for ASD.
Fortunately, most of the patients who have come to us with ASD have seen real and tangible improvements. Parents with children suffering from ASD have been deeply moved by the results they have seen from providing their children with HBOT for autism at our facility. That said, HBOT also does not help all patients with ASD.
In some cases, we see improvements after just a few hyperbaric ASD treatments. In others though, it can take multiple treatments to oxygenate the brain and body enough to provide visible improvements to the mother or father. Often, a teacher, speech therapist, or healthcare provider is the first to mention that they have seen improvements in attention span, eye contact, social interaction, concentration, body movement, walking, interactive communication skills, endurance, and energy levels.
Hyperbaric chamber sessions for autism at Bay Area Hyperbarics have helped dozens of autistic children. We believe these improvements happen because of improved oxygen saturation in the brain, which enables oxygen to reach otherwise hypoxic tissue and by reducing inflammation in the brain. That said, research has not confirmed these hypotheses. HBOT for autism does decrease inflammation in the intestines and other parts of the body, up-regulates hormones, and improves cognitive functions overall.
When we talk with parents, we also encourage them to continue integrating their other healing modalities into their child’s treatment for autism spectrum disorder while engaging in hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Give us a call to discuss your options for autism hyperbaric chamber treatment. Our warm and friendly staff can walk through the studies and talk about case studies with you. We can also talk about the right HBOT treatment protocol for your child. We have felt profound relief watching children with autism improve through oxygen treatment for ASD at Bay Area Hyperbarics.
Patient Experiences
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Alice, 16
Gained the ability to read chapter books for the first time!
Alice did not have the ability to focus or the dexterity to put on her own clothes, until hyperbarics! With Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Autism, Alice began reading chapter books for the first time in her life. She was able to button her blouses and sweaters for the first time without asking her mom to help. Her progress brought tears to our staff and to Alice's parents.
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Austin, 3
Said "I love you Mama" for the first time ever!
Austin rarely engaged and interacted with people and even more rarely spoke complete sentences! After several hyperbaric chamber sessions for his autism, Austin was able to interact verbally with other people. When he said "Mama, I love you" for the first time ever, his mother was elated, as was our staff. She brought Austin back for several additional treatments. Both his focus and interpersonal skills improved throughout his visits, and he began to interact with hyperbaric technicians during his visits.
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Trevor, 3
Began interacting with other children for the first time.
Trevor played on his own but simply did not play with other kids. After several hyperbaric chamber sessions for his autism, he picked up a ball, walked it back to his brother, and handed it to him. This was the first interactive play he had exhibited. Previously, Trevor might chase the ball, and he might pick it up. He would, however, never interact with a person. This behavior increased, and after additional HBOT sessions for autism, Trevor continued interacting more often and at a greater level of depth with family and eventually other people
Physicians: Refer a Patient
You Submit Your Patient’s Information
We Get Authorizations
Patient Starts HBOT
Related articles
Still looking for answers?
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What is Hyperbaric Medicine?
Hyperbaric medicine, also called hyperbaric oxygen therapy or HBOT, is a medical treatment where a patient sits or lies in a pressurized chamber and breathes 100% oxygen. In HBOT, oxygen dissolves into the blood, thus raising the oxygen concentration to very high levels. This increased oxygen is a primary building block for tissues, muscle, and bone repair. Among other benefits, it kicks off cell reproduction, heals injuries and infections more rapidly, and decreases inflammation.
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Does HBOT kill cancer cells?
Current research indicates that hyperbaric oxygen does not kill cancer cells. However, there has been a small amount of research indicating that hyperbaric oxygen might reduce the size of certain tumors. Also, there has been a study on mice using hyperbaric oxygen, along with a ketogenic diet, to reduce tumors. Hyperbaric oxygen causes many different healing modalities to kick into gear. Could its effect on strengthening the immune system inhibit the growth of cancer cells? Nobody knows. There are numerous studies conclusively showing that hyperbaric oxygen does not encourage cancer cells or tumors to grow. Some patients claim that hyperbaric oxygen makes them feel a lot more comfortable and functional after chemotherapy and also during healing. Note that some chemotherapy drugs are not to be used with hyperbaric oxygen, as the chemotherapy drugs can be enhanced and thus become toxic. A good hyperbaric oxygen facility (such as Bay Area Hyperbarics) will always call the chemotherapy manufacturer to ensure that hyperbaric oxygen therapy will be helpful and not damaging to the patient.
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What is the CPT code for HBOT?
The CPT code for HBOT is G0277.
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Can HBOT help Neuropathy?
Hyperbaric treatments help heal neuropathy by regrowing small blood vessels and nerves that have died from disease, injuries from radiation, and aging. Patients often experience numbness and or pain when they start treatment. Hyperbaric treatments most often bring back sensation and make, for example, walking easier and more enjoyable.
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Will my insurance cover HBOT?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been proven to help with numerous medical conditions. Each insurance company decides what’s covered and what's not. That said, HBOT is covered by Medicare, Kaiser, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, United Health Care, and many other insurances. Coverage is based on the diagnosis. We also take people with conditions that are not covered by their insurance but whose problems can greatly improve with HBOT. Call us! We are more than happy to look at your personal situation and do the insurance work for you.
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Why would a physician consider HBOT?
A physician would consider using hyperbaric chamber therapy in a variety of situations. Physicians most typically refer patients to hyperbarics when the patient is not healing with traditional medical interventions, and hyperbaric chamber therapy is approved by Medicare for this condition. Some patients experience significant unresolved pain, and unremitting disease states that the mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber are known to affect, such as the downregulation of inflammatory genes. For example, some patients have experienced severe, unremitting hives with itching, which did not improve with any specialist interventions. Some physicians will consider hyperbaric chamber therapy if the patient has no other good avenues for improving their failing health, and they know the hyperbaric chamber therapy is safe and will not harm the patient.
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What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HB0T) is a medical treatment where you inhale 100% oxygen in a chamber with increased atmospheric pressure. HBOT increases oxygenation by 1200% into your tissues, bones and mobilizes stem cells. It regrows healthy tissues in the brain, blood vessels, skin, and bones. It also reduces pain and swelling and speeds recovery. It is simple, effective, and painless. Some patients experience significant unresolved pain, and unremitting disease states that the mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber are known to affect, such as the downregulation of inflammatory genes. For example, some patients have experienced severe, unremitting hives with itching, which did not improve with any specialist interventions. Some physicians will consider hyperbaric chamber therapy if the patient has no other good avenues for improving their failing health, and they know the hyperbaric chamber therapy is safe and will not harm the patient.
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