Baro-Therapy Today, Symposium Part 2

[Guest guest]

BARO-THERAPY TODAY

Issue 2 July 22, 2003

Definitions: IHA: International Hyperbaric Association

Symposium: Refers to the recent Symposium on brain injury and hbot held in Ft.

Lauderdale, FL.

IFU: Inflatable Hyperbaric Chambers

Baro-Therapy: Treatment using pressure

Part 2 of the Symposium

OK, this part of my trip is being given to you prematurely. Why? Because of

all the discussion taking place on the issues of the inflatable chambers which

we refer to hereafter as IFU's (Inflatable Units).

As most of you know I spent a lot of time investigating the IFU's with the

notion they were not what they were being represented as. I talked to parents,

did a survey, received numerous emails, comments, etc. from those who used them.

I spent a lot of time discussing this with the two foremost experts in the world

on the subject, Dr. Philip and Dr. Ignacio Fojgel (as well as other

professionals). It is a rare event if you ever see either of their opinion's

disputed by another professional. In fact, it usually becomes a fact when they

state it.

In Florida at the Symposium, We continued to talk and have several meetings,

breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. So much in fact, both had to monitor their

watches so they would not miss their turns on the podium. They both gave

several excellent presentations as usual. I discussed the issues with many

others as well, both before going to the symposium and at the symposium. I had

also talked with several well experienced chamber operators and we exchanged

ideas and opinions. Most were open minded but also had concerns on certain

issues.

A few weeks ago, I decided to call some companies who manufacture inflatable

chambers, at that time I called them bags and some even referred to them as

baggies and a couple even called them hefties. I expected to hear hype and

sales pitches as well as those who would say they were as good as regular

chambers. I was right, I did hear this. That is until I called Oxyhealth.

When I talked to Tom at Oxyhealth and told him my concerns, he totally agreed,

I almost fell out of my chair. No hype, no sales pitch. It was made clear to

me that they wanted only the best for anyone using the chamber and were willing

to do whatever it took to make certain that happened. I talked to the owner of

the company and he totally reinforced those feelings. Many discussions

followed, and never did I ask a question that was not answered nor did they ever

misrepresent anything to me. And to those who know me, you know I do not pull

my punches and I am not easily snowed. I cannot say this about other

companies. In fact, I was offered the exclusive rights to a couple of

different companies. All they could think about was money. They had

difficulty understanding that money was not the issue. Samir Patel, owner of

Oxyhealth had no problem understanding my concerns and, in fact, agreed with

every single one of them. Samir cooperated fully with my investigation,

knowing I would possibly take his chamber off the market if it was within my

power. I think everyone knows I was pretty negative on the IFU's in the

beginning.

What changed my mind?

The facts changed my mind.

Some of the MD's on the IHA Medical Board began working with me including Dr.

and Dr. Fojgel so that we could find out the absolute optimal treatments

when it came to all areas of HBOT for brain injury. Our quest was for " OHBOT "

or Optimal Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Was it all with regular chambers or were

IFU's to play a role? How much of a role. Were IFU's as good as regular HBOT?

Question after question had to be answered. Maybe most of the questions came

from me but they had to be answered, LOL. I have a grandson with CP. I am

emotionally involved in HBOT as a median for making my injured grandson better.

I want OHBOT for him. And for every brain injury anywhere in the world.

Finally we arrived at a conclusion before the symposium and both Dr. and

Dr. Fojgel agreed that this will be the best of the best, the ultimate in OHBOT.

When we finally met in FL and finalized everything we were all very excited.

Several meetings continued with the IHA. e was appointed as the Executive

Director and I was convinced that the IHA was the perfect sponsor for this

program. Originally, this was a program that was going to be handled through

Miracle Mountain and a couple of centers in the USA and Canada. But the

possibilities became much too exciting and I knew it was more than I could

handle and became very concerned that it must be available to all brain

injuries. (Excuse me, and Lyme, etc. so many possibilities). Also, originally,

it was intended to be a study, however, too many complications were involved

with the FDA, etc. and the professionals already were convinced of the results,

it was more of a matter of documentation and how to handle it, etc.

A new term was born out of all this. Mainly from the insistance of Dr. Philip

and Dr. Ignacio Fojgel, partly because of the fear and ignorance of the

medical profession surrounding HBOT, but mainly because it is absolutely certain

that all areas of treating under pressure can be effective and if combined for

the optimal therapy we now have " Baro-Therapy " . Baro-Therapy covers the full

range of treatment under pressure using protocols designed for each individual

as needed with or without the addition of Oxygen inside the chamber.

The IHA has agreed to sponsor the program. There are hundreds of details to be

worked out and we have been giving e a rest and we are beginning to work on

those details. The Oxyhealth company has totally agreed to give us full

cooperation. The Baro-Therapy Program answers all the areas of concern that I

along with other facility operators had as well as Dr. , Fojgel, Neubauer,

and others on the Medical Board. When we announce the details of the program,

more explanations will be given.

THE CONCERNS WERE:

Were those using the inflatable chambers receiving the same quality treatment as

those in regular chambers with 100% oxygen?

Was regular HBOT at 1.5 ATA or higher better?

Was 1.3 ATA good enough, especially with no oxygen added?

Was proper training being received by those using the IFU's to insure that no

incidents would happen?

There were many others but these are the main ones we dealt with.

We are getting ready to introduce the " Baro-Therapy Program " which includes a

national registry. In a few days we will tell you more about the program, how

it will combine regular hbot using 100% oxygen with IFU's and the protocols

developed for this program. How it will be supervised by the Medical Board of

the IHA and who is on that board (it includes Dr. Philip and Dr. Fojgel,

of course). And why this will become the ultimate method you can possibly offer

to anyone with brain injury at the present time with the knowledge available

today. This program will include any freestanding hyperbaric center in the USA

and Canada that may wish to participate and is expected to expand to an

International level.

e may shoot me for revealing this much already but I could not resist.

So please do us a big favor.

Please DO NOT BOMBARD ALLENE WITH EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS, SHE HAS HER HANDS FULL

AND THIS IS A GIGANTIC UNDERTAKING THAT TAKES A LOT OF TEAMWORK. A lot of

organization must still take place. Do Not call Oxyhealth on this program

because their only involvement is to provide us with information and provide

chambers as we need them. They are to be complimented on their willingness to

cooperate. They cannot answer your questions.

Darin is aware of what is going on and I think he will attest that this is truly

one of the most exciting things to happen in recent years. If you are thinking

of buying a IFU, this will definitely involve you so please be patient.

ALTHOUGH THIS WAS INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION ONLY IN THE " BARO-THERAPY TODAY "

NEWSLETTER, I DECIDED TO ALSO POST IT TO THE " MEDICAIDFORHBOT " AND " HBOTFORCP "

. TO INSURE RECEIVING FUTURE INFO YOU SHOULD SUBSCRIBE TO THE

NEWSLETTER BY SENDING A BLANK EMAIL TO:

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If you would like to submit a guest article for a future issue, please email me

at rhartsoe@...

Details will be coming soon.

Hartsoe, Editor