Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Concussion & TBI in Los Gatos, CA

 

Still feeling the effects of a concussion or TBI? 
Struggling with brain fog, headaches or mood changes?
Looking for help after your fall?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a great tool to help recover from a concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Even if a lot of time has passed since your injury, HBOT can help.  However, the sooner you can get into a hyperbaric chamber after a concussion or a TBI, the more improvements we are likely to see and the quicker you are likely to see them come.  In Dr Fields’ office in Los Gatos, California, we use HBOT as one of our therapies of choice. In addition, we use endonasal cranial adjusting or Cranial Facial Release (CFR) to help with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for neuroplasticity and customized supplement protocols for neural health.

The quality of our lives is largely dependent upon the proper firing of our interneuronal connections or synapses.  In many ways, the ability of our body to adapt, survive, and thrive is the ability to send and receive signals to, from, and within the brain. When the brain sustains a traumatic injury, bleeding and swelling within the cranial vault can restrict blood flow and oxygen delivery, leading to hypoxia and metabolic stress. Neurons are highly energy-dependent cells, and even brief disruptions in oxygen and glucose can impair their ability to generate and transmit signals.

In response, some neurons do not immediately die but instead enter a state of reduced metabolic and electrical activity. These cells remain structurally intact yet functionally suppressed, as a consequence of disrupted energy production and altered cellular signaling. This “shutdown” can be reversible, but while it persists, normal brain function is compromised contributing to cognitive, emotional, and sensory symptoms that may linger long after the initial injury. 

Can injured brain cells regain function and can we support the brain’s recovery after injury? Research suggests that recovery depends on the brain’s capacity for neuroplasticity or its ability to adapt, reorganize and form new neural connections in response to environmental input, rehabilitation, and metabolic support.

After a brain injury, this adaptive process is essential. While some neurons may be permanently lost, many others remain viable but functionally suppressed due to impaired oxygen utilization, inflammation, and disrupted cellular signaling. Therapies that improve oxygen delivery and cellular metabolism may help create an environment that supports neuroplastic change.  HBOT and TMS are such therapies.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been studied for its ability to enhance oxygen availability, reduce inflammation and support cellular repair mechanisms. When used as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy in our office in Los Gatos, HBOT and other targeted therapies may help optimize your brain’s ability to heal, adapt and recover function following concussion injuries

Here is a list of what happens in your brain when there is a TBI or concussion, and how HBOT helps:

PATHOLOGY OF A BRAIN INJURY	HOW HBOT CAN HELP
Oxidative Stress is a state of cellular stress caused by an excess of damaging free radicals within the brain following a head injury.	Long-term HBOT use helps your body’s own antioxidant system function more effectively. This reduces free radical damage. Decreasing lipid peroxidation of the myelin makes it neuroprotective.
Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deprivation in the brain function due to head trauma and blood vessel damage.	HBOT enhances cerebral blood perfusion, ensuring brain cells receive the nutrients they need for recovery.
Headaches are a common symptom in Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)	HBOT can improve oxygen delivery to injured brain areas, reducing inflammation and aiding recovery, which may alleviate headaches.
Concussion-Related Brain Fog from inflammation, hypoxia, mitochondrial damage, metabolic waste and imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants	Studies have shown that HBOT can improve cognitive function, attention, memory, and overall quality of life in people with post-concussion syndrome (PCS). It stimulates the production of BDNF, a protein that supports the growth, repair, and survival of neurons. HBOT also helps normalize brain metabolism and activity as seen in imaging studies like SPECT and fMRI scans.
Capillary damage or a breakdown in angiogenesis leading to hypoxia or a lack of oxygen. New blood vessel proliferation is decreased after concussions and TBIs. This limits oxygen delivery and waste removal.	HBOT helps repair damaged capillary beds, allowing your tissue to be self-sustaining. HBOT helps heal the inside (endothelial) lining of the capillaries. The tissue can now self-oxygenate and detoxify the brain for years to come.
Inflammation- Mechanical trauma caused damage to brain cells. Then the body releases chemicals like cytokines to clean up the damaged tissue, leading to inflammation within the brain. This is necessary for healing but can become excessive and contribute to concussion symptoms.	HBOT plays a critical role in clearing out damaged tissue and neuroinflammation, as well as repairing those cells and tissue. Your body’s own anti-inflammatory cytokines are released as a result of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Brain tissue damage or myelin breakdown	HBOT shows up to an 8-fold increase in central nervous system stem cells, stimulating cellular repair. Oxygen promotes the repair of damaged brain cells and supports neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire and adapt.
Mitochondria- The mitochondria or “powerhouse” of the cells can go through structural damage and energy (ATP) production impairment resulting in an energy crisis.	Hyperoxygenation will increase the number of mitochondria and their energy output.

Scientific Evidence Supporting HBOT for Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries:

HBOT has been shown in study after study to have major therapeutic value for traumatic brain injuries. Some have demonstrated results in less than 10 treatments, and we have seen that in our office as well. This is not a deep dive into the science, but a few quotes and links from some of the latest studies: 

In 2020 in the journal Biomolecules: “In the 40 years of extensive research on HBOT’s effects on TBI, focusing on both molecular and therapeutic aspects, it seems that many studies support the use of HBOT for TBI [135,136].”

A 2020 study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that “HBOT can induce neuroplasticity and significant brain function improvement in mild TBI patients with chronic cognitive impairments, even years after injury.”  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-021-09500-9

Another landmark 2015 study in Medical Gas Research reported that “Multiple HBOT sessions have been shown to improve cognitive function, quality of life, and brain blood flow in patients suffering from chronic neurological deficits due to TBI.” https://doi.org/10.1186/s13618-015-0033-3

HBOT was shown to have a major therapeutic value for TBI in several preclinical studies [68,137] and clinical studies [36,66,138,139,140,141,142]. In Boussi-Gross et al. [36], HBOT improved cognitive function, as well as the quality of life, of human TBI subjects

In both Tal et al. [66] and Tal et al. [140], a retrospective analysis of HBOT for human TBI subjects revealed enhanced cerebral blood flow (CBF) along with cognitive improvements such as in motor skills and processing speed [66,140].

In the Journal Neuroscience TBI, HBOT was found to improve CBF [33], restore impaired brain metabolism, as shown by increased cerebral adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-expression levels in a TBI rat model [34], decrease secondary cell death and neuroinflammation in a TBI rat model [35], and improve neuroplasticity [36]. [PubMed]

Complementary Treatment Options for Concussion and TBI

Cranial Chiropractic

Cranial chiropractic care may support recovery after concussion by addressing biomechanical and autonomic disturbances that commonly persist after the initial brain injury. Dr Fields uses gentle cranial techniques that aim to improve mobility of the cranial sutures, dural membranes and upper cervical spine, which can become restricted from the same forces that caused the concussion. This may help normalize cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, venous outflow, and vagal tone, potentially easing symptoms such as headache, neck pain, dizziness, sleep disturbance, and sensory sensitivity.

Cranial chiropractic is an adjunctive therapy focused on optimizing the musculoskeletal and neurovascular environment to support your brain’s natural recovery processes. This can be done by hand or with the use of endonasal balloons that are inflated in the nasal cavity at prescribed depths, locations, and intensities depending on the misalignment patterns. 

Chiropractic Care

Concussions can cause misalignments in the cervical spine, which may exacerbate headaches, neck pain, and neurological symptoms. Gentle chiropractic adjustments help restore alignment, reduce nerve interference, and improve blood flow to the brain.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate neural activity, promoting neuroplasticity and improving mood and cognitive function. This non-invasive therapy is especially beneficial for treating depression and anxiety related to TBI.

Recovery from concussion or TBI requires a personalized approach. In our Los Gatos, California office, we create customized treatment plans that may combine HBOT with other therapeutic modalities for optimal results. Those results may lead to enhanced mental clarity, fewer headaches, better sleep, more emotional stability, renewed energy levels, better memory, and more.  Come in and let’s accelerate your road back to where you were before your injury.

Benefits of HBOT and Complementary Therapies in Los Gatos

• Enhanced cognitive function and clarity
• Fewer headaches and improved mood
• Better sleep quality and emotional stability
• Increased energy levels and focus
• Improved memory and overall quality of life.   

HBOT for Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) in Los Gatos

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) affects individuals with lingering symptoms following a concussion. Symptoms include chronic headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and mood swings

HBOT effectively alleviates PCS symptoms by:

• Increasing oxygen delivery to damaged brain tissues.
• Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Supporting neural repair and mitochondrial function.

Schedule Your HBOT Consultation in Los Gatos Today!

If you’re looking for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for concussion and TBI in Los Gatos, California, Dr. Fields’ clinic offers comprehensive, personalized treatment plans to accelerate recovery. Conveniently located near Saratoga, Campbell, Cupertino, and the South Bay Area, we are dedicated to helping you regain optimal brain function and quality of life.

 Call Now to Book Your Consultation:

📞 (408-274-2244)
 📍 Visit Us at 16615 Lark Avenue, Ste 201, Los Gatos, California 95032
 Schedule Online at https://fieldsfamilychiro.janeapp.com/