A breath of the freshest air
lthough it sounds alien to most of us, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an established medical treatment that’s been used for decades as an alternative treatment. With HBOT, a patient breathes almost 100 percent pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The pressure inside the chamber increases the concentration of oxygen to our lungs and the rest of the body, repairing it as our tissues need oxygen to heal.
HBOT is now available at Mogambo Springs, the Spa at Plantation Bay, as an amenity for those seeking overall wellness. The procedure is highly recommended for divers experiencing decompression sickness, or diabetics whose wounds take a long time to heal.
But just about everyone can benefit from HBOT, as it is known to increase antioxidant production, stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin, enhance the immune system, improve the quality of your sleep, and many other health enhancing effects.
Some people might find it claustrophobic being in an enclosed space, but the HBOT chamber is not at all restrictive. The patient is advised to wear 100 percent cotton, so I changed into one of the spa’s yukatas, lay down in the chamber, and it was zipped up. It takes a few minutes for the chamber to become fully pressurized. You will feel pressure in your ears, but simply adjust as if you were on a plane by yawning or popping your ears. You are also provided a sort of headset that expels a stream of oxygen for you to breathe in through the nostrils.
If the thought of being inside a pressurized chamber makes you nervous, the key is simply to relax. Ask the spa therapist all your questions about what to expect before stepping in. The therapist is on standby for the whole procedure and will check on you through the viewing panel from time to time.
I was perfectly content lying in the chamber for half an hour reading a magazine. The chamber then takes a few more minutes to depressurize, and out you go.
Some people may feel lightheaded or tired after an HBOT session, but I had no such side effects. I did not notice any immediate effect, but later in the day, I saw both my skin and hair were noticeably smoother and softer even if I had not used any new products. That was after just 30 minutes, so imagine (and see) the benefits of multiple onehour HBOT sessions.
Guests can fully rejuvenate and relax with Mogambo Spa’s treatments and five-star spa facilities, and complement the visit with an HBOT session.
The HBOT package price for the recommended 10 sessions won’t jolt you out of your relaxed state, either, as it is offered at far less than what local medical centers charge.