Oxygen - of all the things we put in our bodies, it is by far the most important. If it weren't for oxygen, we'd cease to exist. It's definitely a good thing, then, that we can find oxygen all around us. Oxygen fuels our cells and gives our bodies the basic building blocks we need to survive. It helps us heal, and when we're stressed, taking a few deep breaths can help us calm down. But did you know the oxygen you're breathing right now is only about 21% pure?
That begs the question: What if we could breathe air that has 100% pure oxygen? As it turns out, Better Life Carolinas provides exactly that with our hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). And while the name sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, the technology and benefits are real.
A wise person once said that oxygen under pressure equates to pure health. In some ways, that explains hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a nutshell. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) or hyperbaric chamber therapy is a revolutionary treatment where a patient relaxes in a comfortable chamber filled with 100% pure oxygen.
HBOT was initially used early in the 1900s and was later used in the U.S. to treat decompression sickness, which affects scuba divers. Today, hyperbaric chamber therapy is used by people from all walks of life, from businesspeople and athletes to blue-collar workers and stay-at-home moms.
During HBOT, the air pressure in the hyperbaric chamber is ramped up two or three times higher than typical air pressure. This increased pressure allows your body and lungs to absorb and gather higher amounts of pure oxygen - much more than you would be able to inhale, even if you were breathing pure oxygen.
If you're looking for an effective, efficient alternative to invasive procedures or heavy pharmaceutical medications, using a hyperbaric chamber in West Ashley, SC is worth considering. Over the last few years, HBOT has exploded in popularity. More and more people are choosing to use hyperbaric chambers for certain conditions and ailments because they don't require surgery and have no serious side effects.
During hyperbaric therapy treatment, air pressure in the chamber is ramped up so that it is many times higher than ambient air. This increased pressure compresses the breathable oxygen inside the hyperbaric chamber, which you breathe into your body by way of your lungs and skin. The air is then circulated throughout your body via your own bloodstream.
When this pure oxygen is distributed in your body, it saturates your organs, tissues, blood, and spinal cord fluid. It even settles into areas of your body where circulation may be poor or blocked. Like powerful jumper cables, this potent oxygen jump-starts your body's cellular regeneration processes, significantly decreasing harmful inflammation.
This increase in pure oxygen and decrease in inflammation is used to treat many different types of conditions and illnesses, including:
When it comes to common uses for hyperbaric chambers, treatment for sports-related injuries is near the top of the list. Trusted by athletes of all persuasions across multiple sports, hyperbaric chamber therapy has helped countless men and women recover from common issues like fractures, sprains, and compartment syndrome. In fact, studies show that hyperbaric therapy for athletes may work just as effectively as traditional therapy when used as part of a recovery program to achieve the highest healing potential.
That's because competition, training, and recovery go hand in hand. To help with the rigors of high-level sports, HBOT oxygenates muscles, boosts immune systems, and speeds up recovery time for injuries. HBOT cuts down on recovery time by boosting your body's self-healing processes. That, in turn, promotes cell regeneration, which helps encourage tissues and muscles to mend organically, lessening scarring.
When a person has a stroke, blood flow to their brain is disrupted, most often by a major artery blockage. This causes a lack of blood flow, which manifests very quickly, and results in dead brain tissue or hypoxia. When untreated, the blocked artery causes a litany of damage which usually gets worse over time.
While it's impossible to say how much salvageable tissue is lost in the time after a stroke, hyperbaric chamber therapy may help boost cell reproduction and provide oxygen to tissue that died due to lack of blood flow. The non-functioning cells around the damaged tissue area cause much of a person's post-stroke issues. If HBOT can help bring life back to dead cells, the stroke victim could regain lost functionality.
Over the years, many studies have shown promising results when patients use hyperbaric chambers for stroke recovery. In fact, a study conducted in 2013 by Tel Aviv University's Dr. Shai Efrati showed without a doubt that high oxygen levels can awaken dormant neurons. After a two-month period of HBOT for two hours a day, five times a week, brain imaging showed a significant increase in neuronal activity in patients compared to periods of non-treatment.
Patients in this study reported better sensation, less paralysis, and more ability to speak.
Hyperbaric chamber therapy has been used for years by skincare clinicians to supplement common procedures. The results are often stunning and have been shown to help patients with the following:
But how does a hyperbaric chamber in West Ashley, SC kick-start skin rejuvenation? When oxygen levels in your body drop as you age, your body's healing ability slowly declines, resulting in less tissue function, damaged tissue, cracked skin, slow-healing wounds, and wrinkles.
The pressurized oxygen used in HBOT sessions can reach tissue at the cellular level to improve stem-cell growth, immune system defenses, and circulation while reducing inflammation. This process can have a powerful detoxification effect on your body. When toxins are removed, skin blemishes and discolorations are often removed, too, leaving your skin healthy and rejuvenated.
They say that without pain, there is no gain, and that's typically true with plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures. However, studies show that HBOT can help alleviate pain and boost recovery after plastic surgeries.
With normal levels of oxygen in the body, plastic surgery healing times can be lengthy and painful. Because hyperbaric chamber treatments expose your body to pure oxygen, recovery time is often reduced, and the healing process is accelerated - by as much as 75% in some instances.
The benefits of hyperbaric chamber therapy, when used for plastic surgery recovery, are numerous and include:
A few plastic surgery procedures that HBOT can help with include facelifts, liposuction, mommy makeovers, breast augmentations, and even rhinoplasties.
It's hard to fathom how much pain and PTSD a person goes through when they suffer from a traumatic brain injury. Serious head injuries don't just affect the recipient of the injury - they impact the patient's family, friends, and co-workers. Being able to treat people with serious concussions, TBIs, and other life-changing conditions like strokes is one of the main reasons we do what we do at Better Life Carolinas.
Mild TBIs usually require emergency care, medication, and extensive rest. But severe brain injuries require comprehensive medical interventions and post-care initiatives like speech therapy and physical therapy. The good news is that using a hyperbaric chamber in West Ashley, SC as part of a comprehensive medical strategy may provide natural brain healing in TBI patients.
Hyperbaric chamber treatment's primary use in these cases is to hyper-oxygenate tissues, which helps dissolve oxygen in the plasma. This action triggers several healing processes without overwhelming the patient's antioxidant system. The working mechanism of oxygen under pressure can help improve cerebral blood flow through micro-vessels and target injured areas in order to decrease inflammation.
This promising anti-inflammatory effect is the primary advantage of HBOT for traumatic brain injury patients and clears the way for natural, non-invasive healing.
Hyperbaric chamber therapy has also been documented to help TBI sufferers in many other ways, including:
As it turns out, using a hyperbaric chamber in West Ashley, SC may have benefits in the bedroom, too. Studies show that men suffering from ED may now have an additional treatment option to reclaim their sex lives. The International Journal of Impotence Research published a study in 2018 to determine if HBOT was a viable, non-surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction.
The results were very positive and showed that erectile function improved by as much as 88% in patients. Subsequent MRI scans analyzing blood flow of the penis also showed dramatic improvement. The study concluded that, even after years of ED, men could experience benefits from using hyperbaric chambers in lieu of risky surgeries and ineffective ED meds.
The documented improvements were due to more angiogenesis or growth of blood vessels in the penis. When new blood vessels grow in the penis, they can carry more blood to the organ, which helps achieve more frequent, stronger erections.
Though hyperbaric chambers are getting more popular with everyone from athletes to office workers, some folks are still out of the loop. If you're interested in learning more about this exciting, non-invasive, natural treatment, we encourage you to contact Better Life Carolinas today. Until we hear from you, here are answers to some of the most common questions we get regarding hyperbaric chamber therapy.
AWhen your session begins, oxygen will immediately circulate throughout the chamber, and pressure will gradually increase. At this point, most patients start feeling a fullness sensation in their ears, like they're ascending or descending in a plane. This feeling only lasts for 10-15 minutes. An experienced Better Life Carolinas hyperbaric technician will guide you on how to relieve any ear pressure, if necessary. Once the optimal pressure is reached, all you have to do is relax and breathe normally. As the session ends, your hyperbaric technician will gradually lower chamber pressure, which lasts about 10 minutes. During this stage, you may experience a light popping sensation in your ears. Once pressure is back to normal, you can exit the chamber and go about your day.
AIn general, you don't have to worry about serious side effects from HBOT. That's because it's an all-natural treatment - there are no incisions or addictive medications involved. However, some patients experience mild ear drum irritation. During your session, a Better Life Carolinas hyperbaric chamber expert will be by your side to help prevent this from happening.
AWithout a proper evaluation of your unique needs, it's hard to say with certainty. At Better Life Carolinas, we know that every patient is different. As such, every recommended therapy will be different, including the number of hyperbaric therapy sessions you need. Generally speaking, patients usually require 30 to 40 sessions. HBOT has a cumulative effect on your body and, as such, provides the best results with regularly occurring sessions.
AIf you have a form of air-trapping emphysema like COPD or have an untreated pneumothorax, HBOT isn't for you. At Better Life Carolinas, every one of our patients undergoes a full evaluation to ensure that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe for you and your body.
If you're looking for a hyperbaric chamber in West Ashley, SC look no further than Better Life Carolinas. Whether you're a professional athlete looking to maximize recovery time or need a natural way to look and feel younger, our experts are here to help. Unlike some clinics that rely on major invasive procedures and addictive medications, our team focuses on natural, holistic ways to heal your body. If you're ready to optimize your health and reclaim your youth, contact us today to learn more about HBOT and our other natural therapies.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A Lowcountry couple faces thousands of dollars in repairs after they say water in diesel fuel purchased in West Ashley damaged their vehicle.Adrienne Lett and her partner Uriel Salazar contacted the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to request diesel fuel be tested after they filled up their 2023 GMC Truck at the Circle K on Ashley River Road on New Year’s Eve. Lett said they were able to make the short drive home, but the next morning was another story.“We tried to drive the c...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A Lowcountry couple faces thousands of dollars in repairs after they say water in diesel fuel purchased in West Ashley damaged their vehicle.
Adrienne Lett and her partner Uriel Salazar contacted the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to request diesel fuel be tested after they filled up their 2023 GMC Truck at the Circle K on Ashley River Road on New Year’s Eve. Lett said they were able to make the short drive home, but the next morning was another story.
“We tried to drive the car. I guess we tried to drive the truck out of our driveway and it stalled almost immediately. It completely stopped working,” Lett said.
Salazar’s truck started to make an erratic rattling noise and he got a notification saying water was detected in the gas tank.
“That’s when I started freaking out because I have this $100,000 asset that I’ve been taking like pristine care of over the last two years and to have it just not work anymore. It was very frustrating,” Salazar said.
The SCDA’s report listed traces of water and sediment in the fuel. While waiting for the results, they both continued to contact Circle K for answers, but say they haven’t received much in return.
“For us, we’re lucky we have multiple cars, but if this was one family truck and you relied on it for work and now you’re out of work for over a week, that’s very frustrating for a lot of families,” Salazar said.
Since the SCDA report came back, the diesel pumps now have zip ties and red tags saying they’re not for use.
“Ultimately, we shouldn’t have to pay for this,” Lett said. “This is it’s not our fault as this is the gas station’s fault and they should have coverage for this and whatnot and it shouldn’t be on us.”
Lett and Salazar both said they want to spread this news because they’re now starting to wonder how many people have had this problem.
Circle K did not respond to a request for comment.
Anyone who thinks they have purchased contaminated should contact SCDA at 803-737-9700, the number listed on the SCDA inspection sticker attached to the pump, the agency’s website states. The receipt from the purchase or the type, grade, date and pump number will help investigators trace potential issues with the gasoline.
“Consumer Services, a division of SCDA, investigates complaints on motor fuel quality and/or quantity issues,” the website states. “Customers can assist in this process by contacting SCDA as soon as possible after the purchase so that we may dispatch an inspector to visually inspect and collect a sample for lab analysis while the product is still available.”
The SCDA can provide a copy of the lab analysis that consumers can use to support their claims.
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A Charleston insurer marking its 100th anniversary has been ordered to stop issuing new policies in South Carolina after regulators determined its financial condition to be "hazardous" under a directive that is now on hold.Atlantic Coast Life, which is headquartered in West Ashley and once owned the iconic downtown building that now houses the Wentworth Mansion, had been operating under confidential state supervision since last spring, along with the affiliated Southern Atlantic Re Inc.The S.C. Department of Insurance...
A Charleston insurer marking its 100th anniversary has been ordered to stop issuing new policies in South Carolina after regulators determined its financial condition to be "hazardous" under a directive that is now on hold.
Atlantic Coast Life, which is headquartered in West Ashley and once owned the iconic downtown building that now houses the Wentworth Mansion, had been operating under confidential state supervision since last spring, along with the affiliated Southern Atlantic Re Inc.
The S.C. Department of Insurance recently released details of its investigation into the companies "as part of our ongoing efforts to protect the consumers of South Carolina,” said Michael Wise, the agency's director.
“We will continue to work with our fellow state regulators to ensure companies conducting insurance business are adequately funded in compliance with the law,” Wise added in a written statement.
The public disclosure drew a sharp rebuke from Advantage Capital, the owner of the two insurers.
“While we remain committed to working with our regulatory counterparts, we completely disagree with South Carolina’s assertions and their sudden decision to breach confidentiality," a spokesman for New York-based A-Cap said in a written statement.
The state last month directed Atlantic Coast and Southern Atlantic to stop writing new business, including life insurance policies and income-producing annuities. The order was put on hold Dec. 30, a day before it was to take effect.
The South Carolina crackdown follows nearly identical actions that Utah announced last year against three other carriers that A-Cap owns. The two states have been working together on a "full examination" since last January.
Regulators are concerned that A-Cap has heavily invested money from policyholders into businesses under its control, raising potential conflicts of interest.
South Carolina flagged to a credit-rating report issued in February that questioned the company's risk-management practices. The analysis from A.M. Best pointed to the "uncertainty of the quality of assets" backing the capital reserves for A-Cap's insurance operations, including Atlantic Coast and Southern Atlantic.
The state put the carriers and their owner under confidential supervision April 10. It cited their close financial ties to a Miami private equity firm called 777 Partners with "extensive" interests in airlines and sports teams, as well as insurance businesses.
The department then disallowed more than $660 million in investments Atlantic Coast and Southern Atlantic provided to help measure their financial strength and ability to pay claims. It also determined the two insurers were severely undercapitalized once the numbers were recalibrated.
A-Cap said it stands behind the financial information it has submitted. Atlantic Coast Life and Southern Atlantic "will continue to be strong," it added.
"South Carolina’s conclusions are incorrect based on an apparent misinterpretation of their own statute. ... We look forward to correcting the errors in South Carolina’s position on this matter," the spokesman said in the prepared remarks.
A-Cap bought Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Co. in 2015 from the family that co-founded the business in Charleston 90 years earlier.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to show the S.C. Department of Insurance's order was put on hold effective Dec. 30.
Published: Jan. 8, 2025 at 1:50 AM PST|CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A long-awaited project that would make the City of Charleston more accessible and connected for pedestrians, cyclists and other nonmotorized users will finally become a reality Wednesday.The Ashley River Crossing pedestrian bridge project has been in the works for almost 15 years now and after undergoing several changes and design revisions, the plan is complete, so the project will begin Wednesday afternoon. Leaders for the City of Charleston will break ground an...
Published: Jan. 8, 2025 at 1:50 AM PST|
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A long-awaited project that would make the City of Charleston more accessible and connected for pedestrians, cyclists and other nonmotorized users will finally become a reality Wednesday.
The Ashley River Crossing pedestrian bridge project has been in the works for almost 15 years now and after undergoing several changes and design revisions, the plan is complete, so the project will begin Wednesday afternoon. Leaders for the City of Charleston will break ground and begin construction on this massive project.
This bridge will connect West Ashley to downtown Charleston.
Project leaders plan to start construction on the West Ashley side and build across to the downtown side, connecting to Brittlebank Park, Bee Street and Lockwood Drive and then eventually tying into the City Marina.
Chief Policy Officer for the City of Charleston Logan McVey said that they plan to connect many projects within this one including the Ashley River Walk and the Battery extension with one goal in mind: making the City of Charleston one, connected city.
“That’s what’ll be really important is the idea of the City working together and us viewing the City not as different places - as West Ashley versus Downtown or Downtown versus West Ashley - but as one city that is connected with just a little bit of water in between,” McVey said.
In theory, once this project is complete, it would be possible to bike or walk all the way from outer West Ashley to the Isle of Palms.
The vision is that pedestrians and cyclists could take the West Ashley Greenway to the Ashley River Crossing then ride around the peninsula using the Battery extension to ultimately hop on the Ravenel Bridge. It is all about connectivity within the city, which is something leaders have been really trying to prioritize.
This project originally began under the city’s former leadership, but City Council approved the suggestions Mayor Cogswell made to the project and it will now also include a viewing platform of the Ashley River.
The project in total will cost about $90 million, which will mostly come from federal funding.
As it is such a big project, McVey said that city leaders wanted to make sure they were making the best use of this money. He said they decided to be intentional in connecting this with several other pedestrian and mobility projects in the area.
“The idea is that you’ve got something that is going to be a pretty big investment… how can the city connect that investment to other investments we are making? That’s the battery extension, that’s the Lowline, that’s all of the bike and pedestrian improvements that we are making downtown. How do all of these tie together to create a system that allows people to get around without getting into a car, takes pressure off our roads, but also makes us a healthier, better, more connected city,” McVey said.
City leaders will host a groundbreaking ceremony to commence the beginning of construction for this project Boulevard from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The groundbreaking will take place at the construction site on the West Ashley side located at 25 Folly Road Blvd.
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