By: Yaroslav Pererva, D.O.M, AP and Debra Martin, Holistic Health Educator
March 2024
Google doesn’t have all the answers. In the world of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (often referred to as “HBOT”), there are different levels and types of equipment, and many conditions known and treated which are not found in primary results of a Google search. If your main search tool is Google, your education is likely to consist of less than 10 treatable conditions. Rest assured, there are more… many more. Is it hidden, or is there some other reason you can’t find more? In this article you’ll discover reasons for this, more of the treatable conditions, and four specific ways this therapy can help treat osteoporosis, osteopenia and fractures.
There is considerable research and substantial information on treatment protocols for many health issues available in other countries that you and I cannot “find”. One reason is that the sources are not in English. A second reason is, medical practitioners know where to find the “gold”, when they can make the time. And, I think there is a third reason. America appears to be lagging behind other parts of the world in the successful and expanded use of the healing potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The knowledge …covering a range of pressure and oxygen delivery methods, health conditions, and treatment protocols…is not yet commonly known in the U.S.
According to the science I’ve been reading, the addition of pressure to the body is a really big deal. The oxygen is definitely a big player, but even the added pressure alone kicks off our innate healing processes in surprising ways, including promoting the growth of stem cells.
FINDING THE RESEARCH TO TREAT BONE LOSS
Dr. Yaroslav Pererva is our newest Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and he is from Vladivostok, a Russian seaport near Korea and Japan. Through his training and work as an MD in a hospital there, he has experience in the deeper-pressure hyperbaric environments, in particular with “the bends” aka decompression illness. Dr. Yaroslav has access to Russian medical texts and studies that cover the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy from head to toe, and he is able to locate and categorize the conditions which are treated with the lower, safer pressure levels for hyperbaric units such as the 1.3-1.4 ATA units we have at Lotus Blossom Clinic.
It turns out that the list of treatable conditions for our units is quite long! Dr. Yaroslav has located at least 36 conditions which are treatable, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Chronic Fatigue and Long Covid, and Lyme’s Disease. It appears that France, Russia, Germany and China are the leaders in the research and practical use of this medical technology. (Click to see list of 36 conditions🙂 in our first article.)
For example, in Russian medical literature, you’ll find specific research and treatment protocols for osteoporosis, osteopenia, and bone fracture.
RESEARCH: A FEW STUDIES
(Based on 15 Referenced Studies: 10 RUSSIAN, 5 AMERICAN)
See research and references at bottom of article. And for those who love the research, check this out for sample graphs and interpretations of their data.
The following are a list of a few critically-important, positive benefits for people who use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in their treatment of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia. These benefits are supported by research studies which have proven what HBOT can do to promote healing. The positive effects quicken healing of fractures, help prevent fractures, and protect and rebalance the bone remodeling process. For bone loss, this all leads to growing more dense, strong and resilient bones.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Benefits for Bones:
- Promotes Bone Consolidation & Restoration
(Using 1.2-1.5 ATA-level HBOT, 40 min. 5-10 treatments. LBC’s equipment is 1.3/1.4 ATA)
- In order for a bone to regenerate, it requires a decent amount of O2 to be supplied to damaged and/or depleted tissue. Source: Team of researchers (A. V. Osipenko (1998), Y. P. Baldin, K. S. Desyatnichenko (1989)
- An increase is seen in biosynthesis of structural proteins (collagen, glycoproteins) and ferments (LDH and Alkaline phosphatase) in the mitochondria of osteoblasts (builders) that have enough Oxygen supplied. Source: V. N. Matveenko and team.
- This research proves the thesis that HBOT benefits bone consolidation and restoration. One study on bone restoration was conducted on both male and female patient of various age groups in 1.2-1.5 ATA (ours have 1.3-1.4 ATA) chambers. The pressurized time was 40 minutes each during 5 to 10 treatments. The research validated that bone density can be increased substantially.
- In another study with youthful subjects, the patients’ bone density improved an average of 30% after 7 treatments taken within 20-25 days. (Yes, children and young adults can have conditions which cause osteoporosis due to disease processes and the medications they are given for those diseases.)
- Multiple Treatments are most effective. Generally, the best results for bones are seen after 5-10 treatments. However, positive effects are noted with even 1 treatment.
Dr. Т. К. Hunt (1978) and Dr. W. R. Reenstra (1998) conclude that, by observing fibroblastic activity in bone tissue under the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, the activity increases, resulting in growth of blood vessels to support the blood supply. This forms more capillaries (small blood vessels) which support bone growth!
- Reverses/Nullifies Acidic Conditions which damage bones.
The Problem of Acid accumulation in your blood can occur for many reasons, including a poor, acidic diet and lack of exercise. An acidic environment has harmful effects on bones which are imminent, if not addressed:
- Acidic Conditions (Acidosis) steal oxygen from bone-building cells by inactivating iron in your blood (hemoglobin).
- They can create potential blood clots by releasing a harmful substance called “thromboxane” which causes your thrombocytes to stick together (blood coagulation).
- An acidic environment increases bone destruction by damaging the balance of bone building and resorption of old bone. This means the bone destruction process is more prominent, while the bone building cells are damaged.
By the way, there are 2 simple blood tests called Bone Turnover Markers which can help you monitor the process and success level of any treatment you begin for bone loss. If your MD is up to date, they will use these Bone Turnover Markers rather than waiting 1 – 2 years for your next DEXA, especially if you are on a pharmaceutical drug. Come see us at the “Great Bones Book Club”, held every 3rd Saturday at the clinic and on Zoom. Details on our website calendar.
- Reverses/Heals/Prevents Injury from Serious Edema Conditions
When a person has edema, it means that there is fluid buildup somewhere in the body. Hyperbaric oxygen is proven to help in these conditions:
- Cardiac failure (congestive heart disease)
- Kidney failure
- Bone fracture
Let’s take a look at how edema applies to bones. A bone marrow edema is often referred to as bone marrow lesion. It occurs when fluid builds up in the bone marrow. This is typically a response to injury…e.g., a fracture or condition such as osteoarthritis. Bone marrow edema can resolve itself with rest and physical therapy, AND, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help the healing occur much quicker and with higher success.
What did the studies say?
1) Pain relief: Treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygenation resulted in 37% pain relief, while without it, in a normal treatment plan, it was 24%.
2) Additionally, with HBOT added to their treatment, patients experienced 25% higher relief from Edema.
For doctors, these figures are considered to be astounding results!
CONCLUSION:
And now, you know more about the power of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve bone health. Since 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men suffer from bone loss—and you may be one of them—it’s important to know there are more solutions than pharmaceutical drugs, although in some cases, that may be necessary. And also, YOU can help spread the news of another way to help those with osteoporosis, osteopenia, and fractures using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy!
Of course, we encourage you to speak with your MDs and other specialists you are currently working with before taking hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Perhaps they will be encouraged to learn even more to help their patients.
Stay healthy out there!
Sincerely,
Yaroslav Pererva, D.O.M, AP and Deb Martin, Holistic Health Educator
Lotus Blossom Clinic
https://LotusBlossomClinic.com
(239) 277-1399
Serving the Greater Fort Myers area with Natural and Holistic Medicine, including Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Massage, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Science-backed Food as Medicine, Energy & Transformational Sessions…and Community Classes & Events both Virtual and In-Person!
We are Doctors of Oriental Medicine, Acupucture Physicians, not MD’s in the U.S.
RELATED ARTICLES:
A Window into Russian Research on HBOT for Bones: 10 citations of Russian Studies and 2 sample graphs, February 2024. Yaroslav Pererva, Debra Martin, Lotus Blossom Clinic. https://www.lotusblossomclinic.com/russian-research-on-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-for-bones/
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Unlock the Power of Healing, February 2024. David and Debra Martin https://www.lotusblossomclinic.com/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-unlock-the-power-of-healing/
REFERENCES:
Coper D. V., Rosental O., Snyder R., Witmer C. Cytochromes Р-450 and B5 structure Function and interaction.
Mehm W. J., Pimsler M., Becker R. L., Lissner C. K. Effect of oxygen on in vitro fibroblast cell proliferation and collagen biosynthesis
Nylander G., Olamisi T., Lewis D. H. et al. Lipid peroxidation in Postischemic Skeletall muscle and after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen
Dr. Т. К. Hunt (1978) with Dr. W. R. Reenstra (1998) Keratinocytes and dermal factors activate CRABP-I in melanocytes – PubMed (nih.gov)
A guide to hyperbaric medicine / Ed. by S. A. Baydin, A. B. Gramenitsky, B. A. Rubinchik. — Moskow: Meditsina Publishers. 2008. — 560 p.: ill. — ISBN 5-225-03949-9