Study shows oxygen therapy can improve long Covid symptoms
Around two million people in the UK are estimated to be experiencing long Covid symptoms, according to figures released earlier this year by the Office for National Statistics. (read more here)
Fatigue was the most common symptom reported (55% of those who self-reported long covid), followed by shortness of breath (32%), a cough (23%), and muscle ache (23%).
In fact, more than 200 symptoms are now gathered under the umbrella term of ‘long Covid’, ranging from fever and brain fog to seizures or speech problems. (read more here)
But a new study carried out in Israel published in July (read more here) has found that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - which delivers massive amounts of oxygen to the body - appears to alleviate many of Covid’s cognitive and physical after-effects.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Referred to as HBOT, it involves the delivery of increased levels of oxygen inside a hyperbaric chamber where the pressure around the body is increased for a session of usually 60 minutes.
The air we usually breathe contains 21 per cent oxygen, along with 78 per cent nitrogen (and the rest made up of noble gases and carbon dioxide). But within the chamber, you breathe 95 per cent oxygen – which can significantly increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in the bloodstream. The increased flow of oxygen stimulates and restores function to damaged cells and organs; HBOT has been found to encourage the formation of new collagen (connective tissue) and new skin cells by encouraging new blood vessel formation (read more here)
The treatment has historically been used to speed up healing of carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, wounds that won't heal, and infections in which tissues are starved for oxygen. (read more here)
And now thanks to the Israeli study there is evidence that it can improve emotional, motivational and behavioural symptoms, depression, anxiety and stress as well as pain interference symptoms and fatigue.
Try it for yourself here in Yorkshire
Oxify Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy operates at two centres in Leeds and Retford for a wide range of ailments and issues including tissue recovery, stress relief, skin rejuvenation, chronic fatigue, asthma and sports recovery (read more here)
HBOT is a non-invasive and painless procedure which clients find easy-going and relaxing. Patients lie fully clothed in a manually operated chamber with windows with an oxygen mask placed over the nose and mouth to deliver the oxygen. Your host will monitor you throughout to ensure you are happy and at ease.
What they say
Oxify has a growing number of positive testimonials from clients facing long Covid. One patient, Katie, said: “Oxify really helped my long Covid symptoms ease. I was very ill with Covid, the virus attacked my head with severe headaches, pains in my face, head fog and not being able to retain information. It also affected my mobility. I struggled to put one foot in front of the other. Also struggled with vertigo, my balance was really bad and the room would just spin. The fatigue was also hard. I was taking a lot of medication. I had been struggling for 10 months when I decided to try oxygen therapy.
“I was going three times a week for the first few weeks. After about two weeks, I started to notice a difference. After three months I had stopped most of my meds, only taking paracetamol when needed. After five months, I started to drive again and get back some independence.
“It's been one and a half years since I caught Covid-19 and still have mild symptoms, but I can honestly say I think Oxify helped with my recovery from long Covid.”
Karen reports: “I had been struggling with post-viral fatigue since having Covid back in 2019 for 11 weeks. I had briefly looked at oxygen therapy at university after studying oncology and decided I would like to see if the symptoms of fatigue would improve with oxygen therapy. Well, I wasn’t disappointed, I felt so much improvement in my breathing. It appeared to be less laboured especially when climbing stairs and steep hills, I have been sleeping better and my general health and feeling of alertness has improved too.”
Another client, Matthew, says: “I noticed a high difference straight away. I can’t wait for my next appointment – I highly recommend this for anyone.”
Get 25% off your first session
Throughout September, Oxify are offering 25% off your first booking. Use discount code LEEDS25 when booking.
You can book the therapy at Oxify centres in:
Leeds – Ground floor Woodhead House, Woodhead Road, Birstall WF17 9TD. Call 01135 432750 or email [email protected] to make an appointment.
Retford – Ground Floor, Randall Business Centre, Randall Park Way, Retford DN22 7WF. Call 01777 861462 or email [email protected]
Manchester – Ground Floor, Grosvenor House, Agecroft Enterprise Park, Pendlebury, Manchester M27 8UW. Call 0161 240 6223 or email [email protected]
For more information see www.oxify.co.uk or book online here