How it helps MS
MS involves localised patches of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord which may eventually scar (sclerosis). Affected areas are unable to accept enough oxygen from the bloodstream unless more is dissolved in the blood.
The process by which this damage occurs can’t be prevented by Oxygen Therapy, but breathing oxygen under pressure causes the dilated and leaky blood vessels to constrict back to normal size and reduces the swelling. Giving extra oxygen also increases the body’s ability to heal and can limit some of the damage which MS may cause.
Oxygen Therapy is reported by people with MS to help with fatigue, bladder function, balance, eyesight and co-ordination.
How it helps other conditions
Oxygen Therapy is becoming more and more widely used, and we have members who use it for a range of neurological disorders and medical conditions. These include cancer, dementia, fibromyalgia, M.E and motor neurone disease, and to aid recovery from a stroke or brain injury. The additional oxygen absorbed into the blood encourages the growth of new blood cells, and improves the overall blood supply which, in turn, strengthens the body’s defence mechanisms to fight infection and kill bacteria. Oxygen Therapy can also help the repair of tissue damage after invasive therapies.
How it helps sporting injuries
Oxygen Therapy is beneficial for sporting injuries – many top footballers, athletes and Motorsport enthusiasts rely on it to speed up the healing of bone and tissue damage. It assists healing in several ways using the elements of natural recovery, which results in decreased inflammation, new blood vessels and tissue growth, and the increased stimulation of osteoblasts in fractured bones. In simple injuries which prevent training, up to a 70% decrease in recovery times has been seen.
Additional oxygen can improve repair, particularly of muscle and ligament tears, because often the blood supply is significantly damaged. The healing of fractures can also be accelerated.
The increased oxygen content in the blood plasma raises oxygen levels within the tissues (this is restricted when tissue is damaged). This speeds up recovery, and Motorsport enthusiasts find it beneficial for healing bone and tissue damage.