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708 E University Ave, Lafayette, LA 70503

(337) 349-1844

What to Expect

We know that not knowing what to expect for your first appointment can be nerve-racking. We want you to have the best experience possible, so we’ve answered some of our clients most common questions below. Don’t see your question answered below? Just hop over to our contact page and fill out the form and we’d be more than happy to answer any other questions or concerns you may have!

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MHBOT FAQ’s

Do I have to breathe 100% oxygen or ambient air?
Traditionally, hyperbaric oxygen is defined as breathing 100% oxygen under pressure. However, ambient air still contains 21% oxygen, and when you breathe it under pressure, more oxygen will get transferred into the body. More importantly, the extra oxygen is in the blood plasma (liquid) and gets oxygen into areas much deeper (i.e., where inflammation impedes blood flow) and in places where red blood cells cannot physically get into. This is a great technique to achieve greater levels of oxygen without the associated risks of being in high oxygen environments.
What is the recommended schedule?
Each case is different and the doctors may regulate protocols, depending on a patient’s disease, prognosis and improvements through the course of therapy.

Benefits are seen even after the first session, the leading proponents of HBOT see the most consistent positive outcomes at 20 sessions and preferably up to 40 in the initial schedule.
Clients may choose to come daily (up to twice daily spread apart by 4 hrs) or once to twice per week. While benefits are achieved with both, you will obviously achieve your goal more quickly with increased frequency.

Surgical sessions can speed up recovery time with a preop/post op protocol of 5 sessions before and 5 sessions after.

How long does each treatment last?
Typically, sessions last 60 minutes . Pressurizing the chamber takes 5-10 minutes (up to 25 min.). Once the therapeutic depth is reached your 60 min time will start. Similarly depressurizing will take anywhere from 5-10 min (on average).
What type of chamber is used?
Our chamber is an OxyHealth Vitaeris 320 hyperbaric chamber that goes to a depth of 1.3 ATA, or 4.2 PSI, At Acadian we also have the option of using either filtered room air allowing you to use the option of either filtered room air or upgrading by using an Oxygen Concentrator, allowing even higher oxygen levels. We do not us 100% oxygen so there is no combustion risk. Oxyhealth chambers have an impeccable safety record.
What are the risks, contraindications, and areas of concern?

Performed in a clinical setting, m-HBT has repeatedly been shown to be extremely safe. The only noted side effects have been limited to higher-pressure chambers used to treat acute life-threatening conditions in hospitals, and even these side effects are very rare.

NOTE: it should be noted that the only absolute contraindication for undergoing HBT is a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).

Areas of concern would be:

  • Severe lung or heart disease: This is because we would not want fluid to build up into the lungs.
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes: This is because we do not want the blood sugars to drop too low if HBT was combines with an overdose of diabetic drug therapy.
  • History of Seizure or Uncontrolled fever: This is because we would be concerned with exacerbating seizure activity, particularly if blood sugars were low.
  • Changes in Vision: This is rare and a temporary change in vision, that has been associated with higher pressure chambers and not m-HBT. Changes in vision include getting either a little worse (Myopia) or better (Presbyopia). Note, these cases are rare and associated with higher oxygen dosages. If you notice any changes, please let the attendant know. Don’t worry, as the vision tends to go back to its original state within 3 months from discontinuing the sessions. For that reason, it is not advised to change prescriptions during this time period.
  • History of Cataracts: Though HBT cannot cause cataracts, this procedure may cause formed cataracts to mature quicker.
  • Pregnancy: As a precautionary measure, HBT is not used during pregnancy unless indicated for acute life-threatening conditions.
  • Current upper respiratory infections, chronic sinusitis or sinus problems: These conditions cause a higher probability of problems during pressurization and are generally recommended to be treated before going into HBT.
  • Claustrophobia: Some clients may suffer Claustrophobia. This is managed by maintaining communication, use of relaxation techniques and mild sedation, if necessary. If you have a problem with this condition, please let us know.
How does it feel?

Part of your session includes pressurization (at the beginning) and depressurization (at the end) During this change in pressure you will fee a sensation similar to what you experience in an airplane . The majority of people (90%) automatically and easily adjust to these pressure changes, while reporting no adverse effects. If you are in the 10% minority, then the only problem that you may experience with this is either discomfort or pain in Your ears or sinuses, similar to that which you would feel if you were congested while landing from an airplane.

If you do experience any discomfort Don’t wait until it really hurts. If this should occur notify the operator via your communication radion and we will stop pressurizing and decrease the pressure until you are comfortable and able to equalize the pressure. When you’re comfortable they will resume pressurizing. Our attendants are well experienced at dealing these cases and are willing to work with you as required.

Here are some techniques in helping to equalize your ears:

  • Try to swallow; yawn or drink sips of water.
  • Turn your head to one side and swallow, then turn to the other side and swallow. Repeat if necessary. This directs air from your throat into your ears and sinus air spaces.
  • A third method combines these techniques: try swallowing and wiggling your jaw while blowing gently against your pinched nose.
What is my role and responsibility to ensure safety?

Your role is quite simple, to show up on time and communicate to our staff and attendants each time and let us know if there are any changes in your health. For example, you may have reported on your first visit that you were not pregnant, but when you come in for multiple visits, it is your responsibility to let us know if there are any changes in your health, and of
course in this example it would be ‘if you were potentially pregnant’. This is the reason why each of the initial screening questions must be answered each time you go into the hyperbaric chamber. This is for your safety and once again it is your responsibility to let us know each time you go in if there are any changes in your health.

Is it warm inside?

The air warms as we pressurize and cools as we depressurize. Ventilation keeps the air moving when it is warm, and blankets are available if you become cold.

What about smoking and other odors?

Smoke and other odors on your clothes are accentuated within the confines of the pressurized chamber. Try to minimize the detrimental effect of smoking on HBT results by abstaining within 1-hour pre and post treatment. Please do not use strong scented perfumes or deodorants.

Rolfing FAQ’s

Who can Rolfing help?

Rolfing can help everyone from seniors and children to athletes and new mothers. The effects of Rolfing can benefit all walks of life regardless of your activity level or age.

What are some of the benefits of Rolfing?

For over 45 years people have been receiving Rolfing to get relief from various postural strains that drive most acute and chronic pain including:

  • poor posture
  • impaired mobility and balance
  • post surgical complications
  • repetitive stress injuries
  • recurring athletic injuries
  • post-partum imbalances

Others seek Rolfing to improve well-being. Rolfing also helps:

  • increase range of motion
  • improve body awareness
  • increase greater comfort in daily activities
  • decrease stiffness and promote relaxation
  • increase coordination.
  • enhance performance in athletics and hobbies
How is Rolfing different from Massage and Chiropractic work?
First of all, I, like everyone, enjoy massage therapy and Chiropractic work, and feel they can be very beneficial for a variety of conditions. That being said they are very different from Rolfing in several ways.

Massage is a broad term that refers to many styles of body work. The primary intention of massage is to relax your muscles and increase circulation. Rolfing works to realign the whole body into a better functioning and feeling unit. Rolfing addresses this by working in the connective tissue (fascia) rather than just gliding over muscle bellies. More than just relaxing tight muscles, Rolfing addresses the underlying source of the pain or limitation.

Chiropractic therapy tends to focus on the alignment of bones and individual joints, which is important. However, unless the tension and restrictions in the soft tissue (tendons, ligaments, muscles, fascia) are addressed, the bones and joints will continue to be pulled out of alignment

Does Rolfing hurt?
One of the first responses that I get when I tell people that I am a Rolfer is “Oh I hear that really hurts”. Let me say that this is a myth. Most of my clients typically report that the work feels like a deep yet comfortable pressure. As many of my clients are seeking Rolfing for relief from some injury or discomfort, these areas tend to be more sensitive. Client comfort is of the utmost importance to me, and I make sure to establish early on a pressure level that is acceptable to each client.
How many Rolfing sessions are optimal?
Of course, everyone is different, so there is no way to know for sure without first meeting with you, and getting some background on your injury and goals. It is wholly possible to obtain relief after one session, but for most a series of sessions proves the most beneficial.
How long is a treatment and how often should I come?
Treatments are typically about an hour to an hour and 15 min. I tell new clients to leave an hour and a half open for your first appointment. As I mentioned earlier, every person is different, and the frequency of your treatments will be determined as we see how you respond to the work. Most clients typically find that scheduling the first few appointments a week apart is most beneficial.