Brain injuries, illnesses, mental health disorders, and other conditions can profoundly impact your physical and cognitive functioning. These conditions can affect how you move, sleep, think, feel, and more. Many people simply accept these changes as their new normal or struggle with their symptoms after developing these conditions. However, taking a holistic approach to healing the brain can lead to significant improvements in your functioning and quality of life.
LiveO2 therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are two treatments that help to increase blood oxygen levels and support the body’s healing process. These treatments may help to improve cognitive and physical functioning, allowing people to live fuller lives after a brain injury or illness.
This article will explore the risks and benefits of LiveO2 therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. You will learn about the similarities and differences between these therapies and where to find treatment near you.
If you or someone you love lives with brain fog, cognitive issues, dizziness, or other disruptive symptoms related to a brain injury or other conditions, help is available. Contact the team at The Hartman Center to learn about our integrative treatments or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is LiveO2 Therapy?
LiveO2 therapy is a non-invasive, holistic treatment that involves performing light exercise while breathing highly concentrated oxygen. This treatment can significantly increase blood oxygen levels, which improves the body’s natural healing abilities.
Research suggests that LiveO2 therapy can result in substantial increases in blood oxygen levels. Some studies report an increase in blood oxygen levels of over 400% after a LiveO2 therapy session.
Medical and health experts recommend this therapy for those who have experienced a brain injury, infection, or other conditions impacting the brain. Increasing blood oxygen levels throughout the body allows richly oxygenated blood to reach the brain, which supports the body’s ability to heal effectively.
People who engage in LiveO2 therapy may experience reduced disruptive symptoms, such as brain fog and dizziness. They may experience short-term benefits immediately after treatment, and long-term benefits as their brain and body heal over time.
Who Might Benefit from LiveO2 Therapy?
Integrative practitioners typically take a holistic approach to symptom management. Instead of simply treating symptoms with medications, they offer treatment that addresses the root of the problem. The result of this holistic approach is often profound, lasting improvements in a person’s health and general well-being.
LiveO2 therapy is a non-invasive, complementary treatment that can quickly and sustainably increase blood oxygen levels. Elevating blood oxygen levels can increase cellular performance and immune function. Improvements in these areas can have a cascade of positive impacts throughout the body/
LiveO2 therapy may benefit people living with a range of physical or cognitive conditions. These include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Insomnia and other sleep issues
- Migraines and headaches
- Dizziness
- Problems with balance or coordination
- Chronic pain
- Breathing problems
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Long-COVID symptoms
- Brain fog
LiveO2 uses a simple process to quickly but gently improve blood oxygen levels. Higher concentrations of oxygen can activate cellular growth, tissue repair, immune functioning, and other processes in the body.
Many integrative health practitioners believe that increasing blood oxygen levels can increase a person’s energy and reduce systemic inflammation. The result? Significant improvements in a range of symptoms, including:
- Reduced pain
- Improved ability to fight off infections
- Better balance and coordination
- Clearer thinking, sustained focus, and other cognitive improvements
- Deeper, more refreshing sleep
Holistic practitioners may suggest LiveO2 therapy for individuals living with symptoms of inflammation, nerve-related problems, damage to muscles or other tissues, and other conditions that can disrupt daily functioning. In many cases, LiveO2 therapy may be integrated into a comprehensive treatment approach to address the full range of a person’s symptoms.
What Happens During LiveO2 Therapy Sessions?
LiveO2 therapy can occur in many settings. You may undergo treatment in a private office, outpatient clinic, integrative health center, or other settings. Because the equipment required is compact and portable, there is no need for a specialized setting.
Before beginning treatment, your health practitioner will perform an assessment to determine whether LiveO2 therapy is appropriate for your needs. After this assessment, your practitioner will clear you for treatment and schedule your first session.
During sessions, you should wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. You will be engaging in light to moderate exercise (typically by riding a recumbent bike), so dress in clothing that is comfortable for this type of activity.
Before beginning the exercise, your practitioner will fit a mask over your nose and chin. This mask will be attached via tubes to a reservoir that contains two pouches of air. One pouch will contain highly concentrated oxygen, and the other will contain high-altitude air.
Next, your practitioner will attach monitors to track your heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Throughout the treatment session, your practitioner will assess the information from these monitors to ensure the treatment is effective.
Then, you will begin your exercise session. Your practitioner will cue you to alternate between high- and low-intensity exercise, which allows the body to draw in oxygen more efficiently. You will likely spend around 15 minutes engaging in this exercise.
After finishing the exercise, your practitioner will help you to remove the mask and monitors. They will explain any aftercare or precautions needed after treatment. You may be advised to stay hydrated and eat well after your LiveO2 sessions.
You may feel the positive effects of LiveO2 therapy immediately after treatment, including clearer thinking, better energy, or deeper sleep. However, it can sometimes take more than one session for people to experience noticeable changes.
Finally, your practitioner will schedule your next appointments before you return to your regular daily schedule.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: The Risks and Benefits
Hyberbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment method designed to increase blood oxygen levels. During treatment sessions, people remain in a pressurized, enclosed chamber filled with pure oxygen. This can increase the amount of oxygen in the body, which can be beneficial for those experiencing a range of specific medical conditions.
Medical professionals have relied on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for decades to reverse the effects of decompression sickness, a condition associated with scuba diving. It may also be used to treat slow-healing wounds related to diabetes, carbon monoxide poisoning, severe infections, air bubbles in blood vessels, and other conditions.
Increasing blood oxygen levels may support the body’s natural ability to fight bacterial infection and can increase stem cell production. This allows the body to heal quickly and more effectively. It can also promote improvements in cellular and tissue function.
While hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be effective for certain conditions, it also carries risks.
Potential risks of hyperbaric oxygen therapy may include:
- Low blood sugar in individuals with diabetes controlled by insulin
- Lung collapse caused by air pressure changes
- Ruptured eardrum and other middle-ear injuries caused by changes in air pressure
- Pressure-related changes to the eye lenses that result in temporary nearsightedness
- Seizures related to oxygen toxicity in the central nervous system
The super-concentrated oxygen within the enclosed chamber poses a risk of fire, although this is considered a minor risk.
What Happens During Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Sessions?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy often occurs in an outpatient setting, but can also be included in inpatient care for those hospitalized for specific conditions. Preparation for treatment typically involves changing into a hospital gown, removing all petroleum-based products, and setting aside all personal electronic devices.
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers may be small, allowing one person to receive care at a time, or larger to accommodate multiple patients. People are generally allowed to sit or lie down during therapy sessions. People may wear a mask or hood to receive oxygen throughout treatment sessions.
Some people report unpleasant sensations during treatment, including a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears. This is typically uncomfortable but manageable.
Hyperebaric oxygen therapy sessions may last up to two hours. After a session, people may feel drowsy or hungry. It is common for people to attend multiple sessions to address specific conditions or issues.
Is LiveO2 Therapy or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Right For Me?
Hyberbaric oxygen therapy and LiveO2 therapy are both used to increase blood oxygen levels and address a range of conditions. Both can lead to acute and long-term benefits by supporting the body’s ability to heal and repair tissue.
However, there are some significant differences between hyperbaric oxygen therapy and LiveO2 therapy. Understanding these differences can help you find the most beneficial treatment for your needs.
Here is a breakdown of some of the differences between these therapies.
Patient experience
LiveO2 therapy offers a more comfortable and accessible way to increase blood oxygen levels safely. Treatment sessions are typically shorter than hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions, which may last two hours. LiveO2 therapy sessions usually last around 15 minutes, and there is generally little to no downtime after treatments. People can get all the benefits of oxygen therapy without needing to spend hours inside a specialized chamber.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions can cause discomfort, claustrophobia, ear pain, and other unwanted side effects. LiveO2 therapy is quick, easy, and generally comfortable without sacrificing any of the benefits.
Personalization options
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a one-size-fits-all treatment option that may not be appropriate for every individual. LiveO2 therapy is customizable, allowing practioners to adapt treatment to accommodate a wide range of abilities and fitness levels. This flexibility allows more people to access and benefit from this effective treatment option.
Effectiveness
LiveO2 therapy is considered more effective than hyperbaric oxygen therapy at raising and sustaining blood oxygen levels. LiveO2 therapy’s innovative process creates force within the body, allowing it to draw in more oxygen. This process also eliminates the risks associated with spending time in a pressurized chamber.
Discuss your treatment options with a integrative practioner or medical professional. Reach out to the specialists at The Hartman Center to learn more about LiveO2 therapy or to schedule an intake assessment.
Find LiveO2 Therapy
LiveO2 therapy can offer real, lasting relief from dizziness, brain fog, poor balance, and other symptoms related to a brain injury, infection, and other conditions. Contact the integrative health specialists at The Hartman Center to learn more about LiveO2 therapy or to explore any of our other holistic treatment programs. We look forward to joining you on your journey to better health and wellness.