Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber for Fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as four million adults (about two percent of the U.S. population) suffer from fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a persistent and debilitating condition characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive decline, for which there is no cure.

Typical symptoms of FMS include chronic widespread pain, severe pain caused by tactile pressure (hyperalgesia), prolonged muscle spasms, weakness in the extremities, neuralgia, muscle twitching, palpitations, and diffuse tenderness, as well as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment.

These impairments include short- and long-term memory problems, short-term memory consolidation, impaired speed of information processing, shortened attention span, and limited ability to multitask.FMS is a persistent disorder with symptoms that can have a devastating impact on people's lives, including a limited ability to participate in daily activities, a limited ability to hold down an outside job, and difficulty maintaining normal relationships with family, friends, and employers.

The dilemma of traditional treatments for fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia cannot be cured, so treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and improving quality of life. Medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications help reduce pain, treat neurological problem,s and improve sleep. In addition, treatment options such as physical therapy, occupational there,py and counseling are also effective. While these treatments provide relief, many patients continue to suffer and are always looking for new treatment options.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves placing the patient in a closed, high-pressure environment, breathing a high concentration of pure oxygen (usually 95%-100%) in a therapeutic environment with a pressure higher than one atmosphere (1.5 to 3.0 ATA). The therapy is designed to elevate blood oxygen levels to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and enhance cellular metabolic function.

Why Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy May Help Fibromyalgia?

Research has shown that fibromyalgia is associated with central nervous system hypersensitivity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and microcirculatory problems. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may work through the following mechanisms:

• Increasing tissue oxygen supply

Relieving muscle hypoxia, improving microcirculation, and increasing the efficiency of energy metabolism.

• Reducing the inflammatory response

Hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory factors and reduces chronic pain and stiffness.

• Improves brain function

Some studies suggest that hyperbaric oxygen may have a positive effect on functional brain areas (e.g., insula, prefrontal lobe), alleviating cognitive dysfunction and emotional problems.

• Relieve fatigue and improve sleep

Activating the parasympathetic nervous system helps to improve sleep quality and relieve chronic fatigue.

Clinical Research and Scientific Analysis

In Shai Efrati's paper Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Diminish Fibromyalgia Syndrome - Prospective Clinical Trial mentions a set of experiments in which patients were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a crossover Control group: patients in the treatment group were evaluated at baseline and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The hyperbaric oxygen regimen consisted of 40 sessions of 90 minutes, 5 days a week, of 100% oxygen therapy at 2ATA. The study included 60 female patients, aged 21-67 years, who had been diagnosed with FMS at least 2 years earlier, and all FMS symptoms improved significantly, and quality of life improved significantly after hyperbaric oxygen therapy in both groups.

Who is suitable to try Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used as an adjunctive treatment for fibromyalgia, and is particularly indicated for:

Patients whose pain is not relieved for a long period;

Those who do not tolerate the side effects of medications;

People who wish to try non-pharmacological therapies;

People with poor sleep quality and cognitive decline.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A New Treatment for Fibromyalgia

Although hyperbaric chambers are not a direct “cure” for fibromyalgia, their potential to relieve pain and improve quality of life has been supported by some clinical studies. For patients suffering from chronic pain and fatigue, hyperbaric chambers may offer a new hope.