Sports Injury
Sports injury covers a wide range of soft and hard tissue injury. Soft tissue injuries happen when there is trauma (e.g. a fall, a hit) or overuse strain occurs to muscles, tendons or ligaments. With many sports injuries, the time it takes to heal and successfully rehabilitate are the biggest challenges.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing nearly pure oxygen through a mask in a pressurised chamber. HBOT can improve oxygen delivery, blood flow, and healing while reducing inflammation and the risk of further injury.
Many athletes use HBOT as part of their treatment plan for sports-related injuries, ranging from minor sprains to severe ligament tears. Faster recovery means that physiotherapy and rehabilitation can start sooner, meaning athletes can regain full functionality sooner.
How HBOT Works for Sports Injury
An injury, from a simple bruise to a complex fracture, is at its most basic level damage to cells. HBOT helps the body recover at a cellular level.
HBOT helps treat Sports Injury in several ways:
1. Increases Oxygen Supply:
HBOT boosts oxygen levels in the blood, aiding the body’s natural healing processes.
2. Promotes New Blood Vessel Growth:
HBOT stimulates the formation and growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. This increased blood supply delivers more oxygen to injured areas, which is crucial for tissue repair and regeneration.
3. Reduces Inflammation:
HBOT lowers the levels of harmful inflammatory substances and increases helpful anti-inflammatory ones.
4. Boosts Collagen Production and Muscle Repair:
HBOT encourages increased collagen production, which is essential for repairing ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. This boost in collagen production contributes to faster and more effective healing of these important connective tissues. HBOT enhances the activity of satellite cells, boosting their ability to regenerate muscle fibres. This leads to improved muscle recovery and strength after injury.
5. Fights Infection:
HBOT boosts the ability of white blood cells to fight off infections. The higher oxygen levels also make it harder for harmful bacteria to thrive, helping to prevent infections.
Benefits of HBOT for Sports Injury
BOT is generally well tolerated, and serious side effects are rare. Patients with sports injuries may experience a range of benefits from incorporating HBOT into their recovery and rehabilitation programme:
Faster Healing:
HBOT speeds up the healing process by improving oxygen delivery and reducing inflammation.Reduced Swelling and Pain:
HBOT helps reduce pain by lowering inflammation and promoting tissue repair.Faster Recovery and Reduced Fatigue:
HBOT speeds up cell recovery and tissue repair, which helps to reduce fatigue and recover stamina. HBOT helps the body to remove lactic acid and ammonia, which can mean shorter recovery periods.Improved functional outcomes:
Faster healing and reduced inflammation lead to a quicker return to normal activities and sports and improved quality of life for patients.
Clinical Evidence and Practical Considerations
Client Selection:
HBOT is typically recommended for soft tissue injuries, particularly for tendons and ligaments. It is a key additional treatment that is most beneficial when used in conjunction with physiotherapy and other standard treatments. Increasingly it is being used in a preventative fashion as part of athletes recovery and earlier in treatment plans. Please note that OxyGeneration does not provide diagnostic services and is a treatment provide only. We strongly encourage all clients to consult with their medical team if required.Treatment Protocols:
Treatments usually last 60 to 90 minutes per session and are conducted daily over several weeks. Every individual is different and we recommend consulting with your medical team about incorporating HBOT into your care plan. To help determine how many sessions each individual will require, new clients can speak with OxyGeneration staff prior to commencing their Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy.Monitoring Progress:
Regular assessments are crucial to track healing progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
Client with Shin/Tendon Injury:
“I had a horrific injury on my shin. I had damaged nerves and tendons about eight years ago. I never really got any instant relief. Coming to OxyGeneration was a huge relief. After completing 20 sessions all scar tissue in my leg removed and I got full flexibility in my foot. I had three sessions this week for the current pain in my leg and I feel fantastic. I would highly recommend OxyGeneration for any kind of ailments and sports injuries.”
Conor McCormack, Sports enhancement, GUFC:
“I’ve been using OxyGeneration for a number of years now at least once a week. I’ve been able to fully recover from a sickness I was carrying for a number of months, which made a lot of football games. I feel OxyGeneration has definitely helped me get back to full fitness. We play a lot of games in our season and by getting a number of sessions in I feel fresh, full of energy and ready to play. I can’t recommend it enough. The staff are really accommodating fun and helpful. I’ll continue to use it and am sure it will prolong my footballing career.”
Wassim Aouachria– Sports injury – GUFC:
“The sessions I’ve been doing definitely helped me with my ankle injury. Swelling’s gone down and the pain is fully gone. It also helped me with general fitness on the pitch and recovery between games. I highly recommend it.”
Conclusion
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a valuable complementary treatment for sports-related injuries. healthcare providers are increasingly considering HBOT as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for sports injuries. This therapy could offer athletes, from the amateur to the professional an additional tool to support their recovery and potentially expedite their return to full participation in their sport.
While HBOT is not a standalone cure, it represents a promising addition to traditional injury management strategies. As with any medical treatment, it’s essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine if HBOT is appropriate for your specific injury and overall health condition.
For further information on the use of HBOT for sports injuries, please visit our resources page by clicking the link below.