Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Zurich

Facts on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Duration	60 minutes
Anaesthesia	None
Aftercare	Not necessary
Presentable	Immediately
Exercise	Immediately
Prices	From CHF 170: Please consult the price list for detailed Pricing information.

Oxygen as a medication? That’s exactly the idea behind hyperbaric oxygen therapy. With its origins in diving medicine, this therapy has long since found its way into general medicine. It harnesses the positive effects of oxygen on the human body and is a suitable way to support treatments for various diseases and health conditions. In this therapy, patients breathe in medically pure oxygen in an ambient pressure higher than normal air pressure (hyperbaric).

This increases oxygen absorption in the blood and improves the supply of oxygen to tissue with poor circulation. The aim behind this increased oxygen supply is to support the body’s ability to heal itself, boost the immune system, shorten recovery times and promote overall wellbeing.

It has now been scientifically proven that hyperbaric oxygen therapy, when performed three to five times per week over a three-month period, has a positive effect on telomere length, which can provide an immense anti-ageing effect thanks to cell rejuvenation.

Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at the prevention-center

Clinic prevention-center für Schönheitschirurgie in Zürich & Zug, Dr. Christian Köhler

Supports the treatment of various diseases
Careful examination of medical history determines suitability for the therapy
Innovative treatment method
Comprehensive consultation and planning for oxygen therapy
Individually tailored treatment

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (also known as hyperbaric oxygenation or HBO for short) is a method of increasing the absorption of oxygen in the blood. The treatment takes place in a pressure chamber in which the air pressure is 2.4 to 3 times higher than normal air pressure. Breathing in oxygen under these conditions makes it possible for up to 7% of the oxygen to dissolve in the blood. This means that more oxygen is transported to cells, which can remedy potential oxygen deficiency at the cell level and enhance the body’s powers of self-recovery.

Course of Treatment

Here at the prevention-center in Zurich, we hold a detailed personal consultation with each patient before performing any treatment. We take the opportunity to discuss your wishes and expectations as well as the treatment options open to you. Then, based on this discussion, we draw up an individual plan comprising all treatment steps.

For the treatment itself, you take a seat in the pressure chamber before the pressure is slowly increased. Once the pressure reaches the desired level, you put on an oxygen mask and breathe in pure oxygen. This treatment can last 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the indications in your case. The oxygen supply is then interrupted at regular intervals and you breathe in a normal air mixture instead. At the end of the treatment, the pressure in the chamber is slowly lowered again to normal levels. You can leave the clinic as soon as your session is finished. You will be presentable again straight away and can attend to your social commitments as usual.

Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Zurich

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a number of benefits and can support the treatment of various diseases. For instance, HBO can

activate and improve the lymphatic system,
supply oxygen to peripheral tissue,
improve the circulatory system and cardiac function,
improve the musculoskeletal system,
have an anti-inflammatory effect,
accelerate recovery after an operation, and
shorten the recovery time after sports injuries.

In addition, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a recognised treatment for decompression sickness (colloquially known as “the bends”).

Frequently Asked Questions about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?

The elevated pressure in the treatment chamber makes it possible to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood up to 20-fold compared to normal conditions. This makes it possible for oxygen to reach tissue that had previously been undersupplied. Once it reaches the cells, the oxygen can trigger biological processes that support other treatments or enhance overall wellbeing.

Who would be suited to hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

In principle, this therapy is suitable for all patients with issues attributable to oxygen deficiency or whose treatment would benefit from an elevated oxygen supply. However, you must not suffer from any of the following diseases or conditions, as they would exclude the possibility of hyperbaric oxygen therapy:

Chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD)
Pneumothorax following a lung operation
Chronic sinusitis
Chronic infections of the upper respiratory tract
Claustrophobia

We also cannot offer the treatment to patients who have previously had ear surgery, have an uncontrollably high body temperature, or are currently pregnant.

What indications is hyperbaric oxygen therapy suitable for treating?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be provided to support treatments for the following diseases:

Decompression sickness
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Inner-ear diseases (e.g. blast injury, acoustic trauma, acute hearing loss, tinnitus)
Wound-healing disorders (e.g. burns or diabetic foot syndrome)
Chronic inflammation
Circulatory disorders
Diseases developed as complications of radiation therapy (e.g. bone defects, bladder inflammation)
Anti-ageing – lengthening the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes (study results)

How long does hyperbaric oxygen therapy take?

A treatment session lasts 60 minutes. Your therapy will consist of several treatment sessions.

What do I need to consider before and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Before the treatment itself, we will hold an initial consultation at the prevention-center in Zurich to run through your medical history and rule out any contraindications to make sure that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) would be suitable for you.

Note: Smoking reduces the positive effects of the therapy. It is vital that you do not consume nicotine before the treatment.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not require any specific aftercare. However, as HBO is generally provided to support or accompany other treatments, you will usually be given an aftercare plan to follow. We can review the success of the treatment at regular check-ups.

What results can I expect from hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Most patients report a noticeable effect after a few sessions. In some cases, patients’ issues continue to improve long after the treatment is over. We also recommend arranging blood tests with HealthBioCare to determine your telomere length before and after the treatment. Undergoing HBO while taking BlueZones compounds will significantly enhance the revitalising effects. Of course, you should also continue to follow a healthy lifestyle.

How many sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy will I need?

We recommend that patients undergo at least 10 sessions at our clinic, the prevention-center in Zurich. These sessions should be held every 2 to 3 days.

Are there risks involved in hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

The air pressure changes in the chamber are comparable to the changes you experience when an aeroplane takes off or when diving. If you are not able to equalise the pressure in your ears, you may experience temporary hearing problems. You should therefore try to equalise the pressure in your ear (also known as “ear clearing”) during the treatment.

Some susceptible people may experience tingling in their extremities or a feeling of unease during the treatment. You may also experience a burning sensation in your upper respiratory tract or beneath your breastbone. If this happens, the treatment will be discontinued.

How much does hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Zurich cost?

At our clinic, the prevention-center in Zurich, each session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (60 minutes) costs CHF 170. You can also book therapy packages, with 10 treatment sessions (60 minutes each) for CHF 1500, 20 sessions (60 minutes each) for CHF 2800 and 30 sessions (60 minutes each) for CHF 4000.