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Anoxic Brain Injury & How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Help

Brain, Injury

When the brain experiences an insufficient oxygen supply for a period of time it is called, “hypoxic”.  When there is a total interruption of oxygen supply it is an Anoxic Brain Injury (ABI). Either way, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) offers hope with cognitive functions, physical capabilities, and overall well-being. 

At Dr. Adam Fields’ office in Los Gatos, California we understand the importance of offering holistic, effective treatments for this severe condition. We provide innovative therapies, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), laser therapy, and cranial and spinal chiropractic care to help patients achieve improved outcomes.

What causes Anoxic Brain Injury?

  • Cardiac Arrest: The most common cause, is where the heart stops pumping blood, interrupting oxygen supply to the brain.
  • Choking or Drowning: Physical blockage of airways prevents oxygen intake.
  • Stroke: Impaired blood flow to the brain deprives it of oxygen.
  • Trauma: Severe head injuries can disrupt oxygen delivery.
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Exposure to this toxic gas replaces oxygen in the bloodstream.
  • Drug Overdose: Certain substances can suppress breathing or blood circulation.
  • Birth Complications: Oxygen deprivation during delivery can cause anoxic injuries in newborns.

Anoxic Brain Injury: Signs and Symptoms

Physical Symptoms:
Seizures
Loss of consciousness or coma
Muscle spasms or weakness
Poor coordination and balance

Cognitive Symptoms:
Memory loss
Difficulty concentrating or processing information
Problems with decision-making or problem-solving

Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms:
Mood swings or irritability
Depression or anxiety
Lack of impulse control

Neurological Symptoms:
Vision or hearing loss
Speech difficulties
Paralysis or motor impairments

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as a treatment for Anoxic Brain Injury

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, allowing oxygen levels in the blood to increase beyond normal levels.  Not only are the red blood cells saturated with oxygen, but the plasma also takes up oxygen molecules. This is advantageous because plasma, which usually does not carry oxygen, is thinner than red blood cells and can fit into places into tight junctions in the body and brain and hyperoxygenate them.  This process promotes the delivery of oxygen to damaged tissues, encouraging cell repair and reducing inflammation. 

Here oxygen-starved neurons can get the oxygen they need and they have the support they need for regeneration. By increasing the oxygen gradient, HBOT facilitates angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) and neurogenesis (creation of new neurons), crucial for the brain’s healing process.

Scientific Evidence Supporting HBOT

A study by Hadanny et al. (2015) investigated the neurotherapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on patients suffering from chronic cognitive impairments due to anoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest. The research demonstrated that HBOT can induce neuroplasticity and improve cognitive functions in these patients, even months to years after the acute event.


Hadanny, A., Daphna-Tekoah, S., Bechor, Y., Meir, O., & Efrati, S. (2015). Hyperbaric oxygen can induce neuroplasticity and improve the cognitive functions of patients suffering from anoxic brain damage. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 33(4), 471–486. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7081098/

 

How long does it take to see results from HBOT?

The number of HBOT sessions can vary depending on the severity and chronicity of the injury and the patient’s overall condition. Typically, a course of 30 to 60 sessions is recommended, each lasting around 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Fields will tailor your treatment plan to your specific needs, monitoring progress closely.

What Results Can You Expect from HBOT Treatment?

People who undergo HBOT for Anoxic Brain Injury often report:

Improved mental clarity and cognitive function
Enhanced motor skills and physical coordination
Improved mood and emotional regulation
A boost in quality of life over time

Complementary and Alternative Treatments for ABI

At Dr. Adam Fields’ clinic in Los Gatos, California we offer a multidisciplinary approach that includes not just HBOT, but laser therapy, and cranial chiropractic care, providing comprehensive treatment plans for ABI recovery.

Laser therapy, also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or Photobiomodulation (PBM), uses light energy to stimulate cellular activity and improve tissue repair.

Laser Therapy Benefits for ABI:

  • Promotes cellular repair through enhanced mitochondrial activity
  • Reduces inflammation, which is key in preventing secondary damage in brain injury
  • Supports neural regeneration, potentially enhancing cognitive and motor recovery

A study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience indicated that “Photobiomodulation has shown neuroprotective properties, reducing the severity of brain injuries and enhancing recovery processes.”

Chiropractic treatment focuses on ensuring that the nervous system functions optimally. For patients recovering from Anoxic Brain Injury, this can mean gentle spinal adjustments and neuromuscular re-education.  Your brain doesn’t just send signals. Mechanical signals coming from your body help your brain upregulate its function. Most of your grey matter is used to manage your relationship with gravity.  Proper mechanical signals (especially from your spine) to your brain help cognitive function. So, you think better when your spinal mechanics and posture are at their best. 

Dr. Fields uses corrective chiropractic techniques like CBP and the Pettibon System that are rehab-focused and safe for people recovering from brain injuries.

Dr Fields uses his hands and endonasal balloons to mobilize your cranial bones at their joints or sutures.  Even in adulthood, these bones should be moving and, with astute palpitation skills, before and after analysis of your skull is quite clear. Cranial adjusting is an excellent part of your broader rehabilitative plan rather than just a standalone treatment for anoxic brain injury.

Mechanisms of Cranial Adjusting in ABI Recovery

Restoration of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Flow:
Cranial adjustments can improve the movement of cranial bones, promoting better circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. CSF flow is essential for delivering nutrients to and removing waste from brain tissues, which is especially important during recovery from the injury.

Enhanced Blood Flow and Oxygenation:
Research shows that realignment of cranial structures and the cervical spine can reduce tension on blood vessels, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to brain tissues that have suffered damage from anoxia.

Reduction of Intracranial Pressure:
Cranial adjustments may alleviate restrictions or imbalances in the skull that contribute to increased intracranial pressure, providing relief and improving the healing environment for brain tissues.

Stimulation of Neural Pathways:
Cranial adjustments can stimulate the nervous system, potentially enhancing neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections) during recovery.  We, often, pair this with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and rehab exercises that encourage neurological skill acquisition and rewiring of your brain. 

Support for Postural Alignment:
Postural imbalances caused by trauma or compensatory mechanisms may be corrected through cranial and spinal adjustments, optimizing the body’s structural support for brain recovery.  As we said earlier, proper posture and spinal biomechanics help upregulate brain function. 

We know how frustrating it is to have once functioned on such a high level and now to have the challenges you do. Let’s go on this journey back to the way it used to be. We have some great tools and want to share them with you. 

At Dr. Adam Fields’ office in Los Gatos, we’re dedicated to helping you or your loved one recover from the challenges of Anoxic Brain Injury. With innovative therapies like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, laser therapy, and chiropractic care, we offer a comprehensive approach to enhancing cognitive function, physical capabilities, and overall well-being.

Don’t wait—your journey to recovery starts here. Call us now to schedule a consultation and discover how our tailored treatment plans can make a difference in your life. Let’s work together to help you reclaim the quality of life you deserve!