MEDICAL HBOT VS. MHT SOFT VS. HYPERBARIC AIR Therapy
What Is the Difference Between Mild Hyperbaric Therapy, Medical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and Hyperbaric Air Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Mild Hyperbaric Therapy (MHT), and Hyperbaric Air Therapy are not the same. To compare the differences, let’s look at the oxygen in the blood. We measure the changes from arterial blood gases, which refer to how much oxygen is actually getting into the body and to the tissues. The following chart shows the differences between the different types of chambers and oxygen supplied to the tissues:
Why We Do Not Use Mild Hyperbaric Therapy Soft Chambers
The Importance of Research-Validated Hyperbaric Protocols
At Integrative Hyperbaric, we find it very important to treat at a research-validated protocol. All valid scientific studies demonstrating the benefit of hyperbaric therapy were performed at pressures higher than those able to be achieved in an MHT soft chamber. You cannot apply those benefits at the much lower pressures from MHT soft chambers.
The FDA does not recognize MHT soft chambers as a medical device for hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The FDA only recognizes MHT soft chambers as inflatable bags used to treat altitude sickness during transport to a definitive medical facility. Scientific literature shows that oxygen becomes bacteriostatic (prevents bacteria from reproducing) at 1.5 atmospheres. Since MHT soft chambers produce less than 1.5 atmospheres, they not only cannot prevent bacteria from growing, they can actually enhance the growth of some molds, fungus, and aerobic bacteria!
Parents and patients are also being informed that they can attach an oxygen concentrator to the MHT soft chambers to increase oxygen delivery to the MHT soft chamber’s occupants. This is an immediate concern as the risk of fire is significantly elevated when people indicate that they are also using computer games, DVDs, or walkie-talkies for communication inside the ‘chamber’ to keep the occupants entertained. This can create a dangerous and potentially life-threatening scenario.
- A Home Mild Hyperbaric soft chamber can provide maximally 3 times more oxygen to your tissues than normal air.
- Hyperbaric Air Therapy at 2.0 ATA can provide maximally 4.5 times more oxygen to your tissues than normal air.
- A Medical Soft Hyperbaric Chamber at many clinics can provide maximally 20 times more oxygen to your tissues than normal air.
- A Medical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chamber can provide 23 to 47 times more oxygen to your tissues than normal air.
Medical HBOT VS. MHT SOFT VS. Hyperbaric Air
Medical HBOT Chamber
- 100% medical grade oxygen
- Pressurized typically to a max of 3.0 atmospheres
- Regrow bone and tissue in severely damaged areas of the body
- Supported by thousands of clinical studies which validate successful healing
- Many treatments are recognized for reimbursement by insurance companies and federal government
- Designed to go to therapeutic pressures to achieve healing
- Kills harmful bacteria
- Meets the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy (“ASME PVHO-1”) standard
MHT Soft Home Chamber
- Ambient air (approximately 21% oxygen—mostly nitrogen)
- Pressurized to a max of 1.0 atmospheres
- Cannot regrow bone and tissue
- No such correlation has been made with soft chambers and healing
- No conditions are reimbursed by insurance companies using these chambers
- Designed to temporarily treat divers and mountain climbers en route to a hard chamber
- Can promote the undesirable growth of aerobic bacteria
- Does not always meet the “ASME PVHO-1” standard
Hyperbaric Air Therapy
Hyperbaric Air Therapy
- Ambient air (approximately 21% oxygen—mostly nitrogen)
- Pressurized to 2.0 atmospheres
- Limited ability to regrow bone and tissue
- Limited studies supporting healing benefits
- Limited reimbursement options
- Designed to provide increased oxygen delivery under pressure
- Limited ability to kill harmful bacteria
- May meet the “ASME PVHO-1” standard
Choosing the Right Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Key Considerations
Many of the MHT soft chambers manufacturer’s websites make a deliberate attempt to embrace a range of medical conditions and disorders under the banner of ‘hyperbaric oxygen therapy’. The public is ‘none the wiser’. However, the evidence supporting the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in these conditions and disorders is based on applications using 100% oxygen at pressures typically 1.5-2.5 ATA or greater. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is about saturating the body with oxygen. This is most effectively done by delivering 100 percent oxygen by inhalation through your airways under the pressure created in a medical HBOT.
The bottom line, not all “hyperbarics” are created equal. Do your research, look at the peer-reviewed research that is out there, think about what makes sense, and think safety first.
When looking for a provider of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, inquire about the chambers they use, the age of chambers, service records, oxygen provider, whether they require a mask or hood, and whether there are certified physicians and technicians on staff and someone who has gone through the Hyperbaric Safety Director course.
Contact Us
We’re here to support your journey to better health. Schedule a free phone consultation with our compassionate professionals by filling out the form below. We’ll listen to your story, understand your needs, and create a personalized HBOT plan just for you. Your answers to a few simple questions will help us provide the best care. We look forward to being with you every step of the way.
