Oxygen therapy is available at the Centre Monday to Thursday.
Oxygen is essential to every one of the tissues in the body and any tissue injury requires oxygen for healing. Research at the University of Dundee has shown that, in the inflammation that is typical of MS, the transport of oxygen is severely limited by tissue swelling.
The body normally heals itself using oxygen from the air – giving additional oxygen extends the body’s ability to heal and can limit some of the damage which the disease causes. This is because breathing oxygen under pressure causes the dilated and leaky blood vessels in MS to constrict back to normal size and reduces the swelling, due to fluid gathering, which can lead to cells dying. At the same time, more oxygen is delivered to the bloodstream so increasing the amount available to help undertake repair.
The aim, therefore, of oxygen treatment in MS is to minimise the amount of damage being caused, promote rapid healing and limit scar formation, which can prevent nerve function being restored. It is best to start treatment early after diagnosis, as soon as symptoms become apparent. Although many people report improvements in their symptoms, oxygen therapy is not a cure for MS.
What Should I Expect
The initial course consists of 20 sessions over 4 consecutive weeks, each lasting around 1 hour. These are then followed by “top up” sessions once a week. We have 2 chambers at the centre one allowing 5 people and the other allowing 8 people to be treated simultaneously. All sessions are individually monitored as is the person progress.
Some of our members have been receiving oxygen therapy at the centre for over 30 years. The most significant benefits are improved fatigue, balance, sensory perception, control of bladder urgency and frequency and aiding general mobility. Many people also report an improved sleep pattern.
Other Conditions
Oxygen therapy is also widely used for the treatment of many other conditions including
- cerebral palsy
- autism
- stroke
- fibromyalgia
- ME
- cancer
- brain injury
- long covid
- non healing wounds
- chronic fatigue syndrome
Please contact us if you would like to find out more about whether or not oxygen therapy can help you.
