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Spinal Cord Injury

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy help you recover at Dr. Adam Fields’ Office 

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering condition that can leave individuals facing lifelong physical challenges. Whether caused by trauma, disease, or degenerative conditions, spinal cord injuries disrupt the normal function of the nervous system, leading to loss of sensation, motor control, and even paralysis. If you or a loved one are dealing with SCI, you know how overwhelming the road to recovery can be. Fortunately, there is hope. Innovative treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) are providing new possibilities for healing and recovery. 

At Dr. Fields’ office in Los Gatos, we offer a multi-faceted approach to spinal cord injury recovery that includes HBOT, cranial adjustments, and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Laser Therapy and Cervical Curve Correction to maximize the potential for improved outcomes. In this article, we’ll dive into how these therapies can support spinal cord injury healing, the science behind them, and how they can be part of your recovery journey.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury? Symptoms and Causes 

A spinal cord injury occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, which can result from trauma (e.g., car accidents, falls, or sports injuries), diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis or cancer), or degenerative conditions (e.g., ALS or spinal stenosis). The spinal cord is a critical part of the central nervous system, acting as a communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. When damaged, it can impair sensory and motor functions.

The severity of SCI varies based on the location and extent of the damage. Common symptoms include:

spinal cord injury
  • Loss of movement or sensation below the injury site.
  • Paralysis or weakness in limbs (quadriplegia, paraplegia).
  • Chronic pain or abnormal sensations (e.g., tingling, numbness).
  • Breathing difficulties if the injury affects the upper spine.
  • Bowel and bladder dysfunction.
  • Sexual dysfunction and other autonomic problems.

The pathology of Spinal Cord Injury involves the initial traumatic event that causes structural damage to the spinal cord, followed by a cascade of secondary injury processes. This can include inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death, all of which exacerbate the initial damage.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Supports Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, allowing the body to absorb significantly more oxygen than it would under normal conditions. This extra oxygen helps repair damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, and stimulate cellular repair, which can have profound benefits for SCI patients.

  1. Enhanced Oxygen Delivery: The increased oxygen helps improve oxygen delivery to areas of the body that may have suffered ischemia (lack of oxygen), a common consequence of spinal cord injuries.
  2. Reduction of Inflammation: Inflammation is a major contributor to secondary injury following SCI. Studies show that HBOT can significantly reduce inflammation, helping to prevent further damage to the spinal cord and supporting the healing process.
  3. Neuroprotection and Cellular Repair: HBOT stimulates the release of growth factors and promotes the regeneration of nerve cells, which is crucial for spinal cord injury recovery.
  4. Angiogenesis: HBOT has been shown to encourage the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) in the injured spinal cord, improving circulation and delivering more oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues.
  5. Reduction of Oxidative Stress: After an SCI, oxidative stress—caused by the overproduction of free radicals—can damage spinal cord cells and tissues. HBOT helps reduce this oxidative stress, aiding in recovery and reducing further damage.

Clinical Evidence Supporting HBOT for Spinal Cord Injuries

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of HBOT in treating spinal cord injuries. For example:

  • A study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves functional recovery and reduces tissue damage in a rat model of spinal cord injury,” suggesting that HBOT could lead to better neurological outcomes in SCI patients. The study highlights how HBOT can reduce cell death, promote tissue repair, and improve motor function after SCI.
  • Another research paper in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation states, “HBOT has been shown to improve neurological function, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery of damaged tissues following traumatic spinal cord injury.” The authors advocate for incorporating HBOT as a complementary therapy in SCI management.

Bin-Alamer, O., Abou-Al-Shaar, H., Efrati, S., Hadanny, A., Beckman, R. L., Elamir, M., Sussman, E., & Maroon, J. C. (2024). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a neuromodulatory technique: A review of the recent evidence. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1450134. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1450134

Patients who undergo HBOT as part of their SCI treatment regimen typically report improvements in strength, sensation, and overall quality of life. However, results can vary depending on the severity and location of the injury.

Recommended HBOT Session for Spinal Cord Injury

To achieve the most effective results, a series of HBOT sessions is typically recommended. The protocol usually includes:

  • Initial Phase: 20 to 40 sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes.
  • Frequency: 5 days a week for the first 2-3 weeks, followed by 3-5 sessions per week for the remainder of the treatment cycle.
  • Maintenance Phase: After the initial set of sessions, additional maintenance treatments can help maintain progress and improve long-term outcomes.

Patients should consult with Dr. Fields to determine the optimal protocol tailored to their unique conditions and needs.

How does Spinal Cord Injuries and Mechanical Tension occur?

SCI results from trauma, leading to partial or complete disruption of the spinal cord’s structural and functional integrity. Beyond the initial injury, secondary complications—such as inflammation, ischemia, and neurodegeneration—exacerbate outcomes. 

Adverse mechanical tension arises from misalignments, scar tissue, or deformities, including straightening of the cervical curve. Normally, the spinal cord is on the concave side of the cervical spine and this is the way it is in your mother’s womb.  Due to various reasons, we can lose the normal curve and this puts tension on the cord and the nerves above and below the cervical spine. There are even blood vessels that run longitudinally to the cord that, when stretched, have a lumen that does not support normal blood flow that feeds the spinal cord. 

Correcting these biomechanical issues is critical for restoring optimal function and reducing chronic neurological deficits. We use a combination of the Pettibon System and the Chiropractic Biophysics Technique to achieve results. Sometimes, we even put the curve in in the office and see feeling come back and foot movement restored. This gives a preview of benefits we may see when the curve is permanently restored. 

Cervical Curve Correction: Restoring Biomechanical Balance

The Importance of Cervical Lordosis

Mechanisms of Correction

Cervical curve correction employs targeted interventions like chiropractic adjustments, spinal traction, and specialized rehabilitation exercises to restore or enhance cervical lordosis. The following mechanisms underlie its benefits for spinal cord injury:

  1. Reduction of Mechanical Tension: Restoring the cervical curve relieves excessive tensile forces on the spinal cord and nerve roots, promoting axonal flow and reducing neural inflammation.
  2. Improved Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Flow: A corrected cervical spine facilitates better CSF circulation, which aids in clearing metabolic waste and delivering nutrients to damaged neural tissue.
  3. Decompression of Neural Structures: Realignment reduces direct compression on the spinal cord, improving neurological function and reducing pain.
  4. Enhanced Vascular Flow: Restored curvature optimizes arterial and venous flow, mitigating ischemia and promoting tissue healing.

Laser Therapy: How Laser Therapy Can Help Your Spinal Cord Injury

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of concentrated light to penetrate tissues and stimulate cellular processes. It operates on the principle that light energy is absorbed by chromophores in cells, such as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, boosting ATP production and cellular repair mechanisms.

For spinal cord injury, laser therapy has demonstrated exciting benefits in reducing inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and enhancing neural regeneration. 

Benefits of Laser Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries

  1. Anti-inflammatory Effects: SCI triggers a cascade of inflammatory responses, leading to secondary damage. Laser therapy mitigates these effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the release of anti-inflammatory mediators.
  2. Enhanced Neural Repair: Photobiomodulation stimulates neural stem cells and promotes axonal sprouting, aiding in the recovery of damaged pathways.
  3. Reduction of Scar Tissue: Laser therapy modulates fibroblast activity, reducing the formation of inhibitory scar tissue that hampers nerve regeneration.
  4. Improved Circulation and Oxygenation: By promoting angiogenesis, laser therapy enhances blood flow and oxygen delivery, essential for healing and reducing ischemic stress on the spinal cord.

Cranial Adjustments: Supporting Spinal Cord Injury Healing

In addition to HBOT, Cranial Adjustments offer a valuable therapeutic option for spinal cord injury recovery. The brain and spinal cord are closely connected, and misalignments or dysfunctions in the cranial bones and spine can exacerbate symptoms or hinder recovery. Cranial adjustments aim to restore proper alignment and improve the function of the nervous system.

By ensuring optimal alignment of the cervical spine and cranial structures, cranial adjustments can enhance spinal cord function, improve circulation, and support the body’s healing processes. Many people with spinal cord injuries report relief from secondary symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and chronic pain following cranial adjustment treatments.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy: How it helps Spinal Cord Injury 

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is another promising treatment for spinal cord injury that can be used alongside HBOT. ESWT involves the application of high-energy acoustic waves to targeted areas of the body, stimulating tissue regeneration, reducing pain, and enhancing circulation.

Can Shockwave Therapy help Spinal Cord Injury? 

  • Reduce spasticity and muscle tightness that often accompany spinal cord injury.
  • Improve circulation to the spinal cord and surrounding tissues.
  • Promote the healing of soft tissue damage and muscle recovery.

Studies have shown that Shockwave Therapy can be effective in enhancing motor recovery and function, particularly in patients who have experienced partial or incomplete spinal cord injuries. One study published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development found that Shockwave Therapy significantly improved muscle strength and functionality in SCI patients, supporting its use as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy.

Opara, J., Dymarek, R., Sopel, M., & Paprocka-Borowicz, M. (2024). Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (eSWT) in Spinal Cord Injury—A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(17), 5112. MDPI

What Results Can You Expect after HBOT for Spinal Cord Injury?

While recovery from spinal cord injury can be a long and challenging journey, incorporating HBOT, cranial adjustments, and ESWT into your treatment plan can offer substantial benefits. Depending on the severity of your injury and your overall health, results may vary, but many patients report:

  • Improved motor function and strength.
  • Enhanced sensation and reduction in numbness.
  • Reduced pain and muscle spasms.
  • Greater independence and quality of life.

Recovery timelines are highly individual, but with consistent therapy and close monitoring by Dr. Fields, significant improvements are possible. The goal of these treatments is not only to reduce symptoms but also to enhance the body’s natural healing processes, empowering you to regain as much function as possible.

Conclusion: Start Your Journey to Recovery at Dr. Adam Fields’ Office

Spinal cord injuries present many challenges, but with the right treatment approach, improvement is possible. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, cranial adjustments, cervical curve correction, laser therapy and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy can provide powerful support for spinal cord injuries. At Dr. Fields’ office in Los Gatos, we are committed to this comprehensive approach to help you navigate the recovery process.

If you or a loved one is suffering from spinal cord injury, don’t wait. Reach out to Dr. Fields’ office today to learn more about how these treatments can make a difference in your recovery. Together, we can explore the best strategies for regaining function and improving your quality of life.