[Health Column] Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Why It Helps Manage Fatigue and Recovery

Hello, I am Director Kim Hyeong-min of the Daegu branch of Rebom Oriental Hospital.

Have you ever heard of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

There are many people who are hearing about it for the first time, and there are also many who have heard the name but do not know exactly what kind of treatment it is.

It is easy to think of it as just a treatment that involves drinking more oxygen.

But beyond simply inhaling oxygen, it actually Inside the body How to change the recovery environment itself It's close to .

As the word 'high pressure' suggests, when the pressure increases, Oxygen penetrates deep into the bloodstream, reaching tissues and nerves that are normally difficult to reach. It will work.
Therefore, the number of people seeking this treatment for recovery after procedures or surgeries, brain fatigue such as headaches or tinnitus, and chronic fatigue is increasing.

today How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work and in what situations can it be helpful? Let's take a closer look

1. How does oxygen flow through the body change in a hyperbaric environment?

✅ An environment is created in which oxygen spreads beyond the red blood cells and throughout the plasma.

In normal breathing, oxygen is mainly red blood cells is transported through.
But when it comes to high pressure environments, A state in which the plasma itself can hold more oxygen It changes to .
This causes the entire blood to be like Acts like an oxygen reservoir It will be done. ✔️

(Hyperbaric oxygen therapy device)

✨As a result, To damaged tissue or inflamed areas A foundation for faster and deeper oxygen delivery This is created.
Cells gain energy to begin recovery, blood circulation becomes much smoother, A flow of calming follows, with the nervous system overly tense.

(Inside the hyperbaric oxygen therapy device)

🔸 For this reason Hyperbaric oxygen therapy goes beyond simple fatigue recovery; it reestablishes the body's "recovery environment." is described as:

2. In what situations can hyperbaric oxygen therapy be helpful?

✅ It has a wide range of applications across the board, wherever recovery is needed.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not limited to specific diseases.
Almost every process the body needs to recover can be utilized in It is characterized by 📌

🔸 Immediately after treatment/surgery
→ Bruises and swelling subside faster, and tissue regeneration continues steadily.

🔸 Brain fatigue such as headaches, tinnitus, and difficulty concentrating
→ As brain cell metabolism stabilizes, you may feel your head become much clearer.

🔸 Chronic fatigue and post-exercise recovery
→ As oxygen supply increases, you may experience a recovery in your overall condition.

🔸 Trauma recovery and wound healing process
→ Because oxygen plays an important role in the recovery process, it has a positive effect on the overall body's recovery.

✨ Ultimately, this treatment is not about “getting it because it hurts”,
A management method that supports the overall state in which the body needs recovery. can be understood as

Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2019)

a. Emergency treatment	B. Chronic wounds and others	Other hearing loss
carbon monoxide poisoning decompression sickness (bending sickness) gas embolism Anaerobic bacterial infection (gas gangrene) cyanide poisoning Acute central retinal artery occlusion Anemia due to excessive bleeding in cases where blood transfusion is not possible	burn Berger's disease After skin grafting or flap surgery After resin bonding surgery Tissue necrosis following radiation therapy diabetic foot ulcers refractory osteomyelitis scalp abscess	sudden hearing loss

FAQ

Q1. Can I receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy while taking medication?

A1. Most of them can proceed safely, but If you are taking certain anticancer drugs or anticoagulants Pre-consultation is important as individual confirmation may be required. ⚠️

Q2. Can I still receive it even if my ear pressure is weak?

A2. If you have otitis media or impaired Eustachian tube function, pressure adaptation may be difficult.

At this time, after prior consultation Determine whether to proceed through pressure control It will be done.

Q3. Is it also helpful for people who are very active, like athletes?

A3. Muscle recovery and fatigue recovery occur quickly, Post-workout recovery or game preparation Sometimes you may expect help from .

conclusion

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not simply a treatment that supplies more oxygen.
So that the body can heal itself The process of reorganizing the environment It's close to .

When the oxygen concentration increases
✔️ Inflammation goes down
✔️ Damaged tissue begins to repair itself
✔️ A flow of relaxation of the nervous system may continue.

Recovery after procedures and surgeries, brain fatigue, chronic fatigue, recovery after exercise, etc.
You can expect help in a variety of situations, but It is impossible to guarantee the same effect for everyone.

Is the current discomfort simply fatigue or a sign that needs management?
The most important thing is to calmly examine yourself through consultation with a specialist.
If you feel like your recovery is slow, it may be time to look beyond rest to your "recovery environment" itself.

Rebom Oriental Medicine Hospital Daegu Branch

CEO Kim Hyung-min

Adjunct Professor at Gachon University College of Oriental Medicine

Graduated from Kyung Hee University College of Oriental Medicine

President of the Korean Society of Spinal Orthopedics

Selected as one of Korea's 100 Greatest Doctors by Current Affairs Magazine

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Medicine

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Pediatrics

Member of the Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Dermatology

Member of the Korean Society of Oriental Medicine

Member of the Korean Society of Immunoassay

Member of the Kyunghee Donghee Society (IKOMS)