Hyperbaric Healing Institute

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Cerebral Palsy 

Our precious little Kaitlyn was born at thirty-two weeks gestation due to an abrupted placenta.  Despite her being born early, she weighted 5 lbs 1 oz. and really did well.  She was in neonatal intensive care unit for only thirteen days.  Everything seemed to be going well until her 9 month checkup.  The doctor was concerned that she was not sitting up yet.  The physician suggested we do a CT scat of her head just to make sure everything was fine, again I wasn't worried.  On February 14, 2005, we received the most horrendous phone call; I was told "Something is wrong with your baby's brain!"  Kaitlyn actually received the diagnosis of cerebral palsy at 14 months of age.  She sat up for the first time at 15 months.  Over the next several months, she rolled over, crawled, and even  began to walk with a posture control walker and braces.  Then our lives changed dramatically.  Someone gave us information on hyperbaric oxygen treatments and the intensive physical therapy program.  We scheduled Kaitlyn's session to begin April 23, 2007, at the Hyperbaric Healing Institute in Kansas City, she was just turning 3 years old.  The results were truly astonishing.  When we began therapy, Kaitlyn could walk with her walker and her braces, but not independently. She could only stand for about 20-30 seconds without her walker before she would fall.  The therapy lasted for four weeks.  Over the weeks, Kaitlyn began taking more and more steps on her own.  At the end of four weeks, Kaitlyn was WALKING INDEPENDENTLY.  It was truly amazing.  When we returned home, Kaitlyn continued walking independently with her braces on.  We are continuing to see improvements.  Kaitlyn is getting much stronger.  She is walking longer and longer distances, able to carry things while she is walking, and even beginning to take more and  more steps without her braces on.  She was also taking muscle relaxers prior to the treatment, which she has NOT required since HBOT.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to attend Hyperbaric Healing Institute and wouldn't change if for the world.  Seeing Kaitlyn walk and the joy in her face when she does is priceless!

                                                                Angel, Mom to Kaitlyn

This is about my 4 and a half year old son Noah, who has (Cerebral Palsy) spastic diplegia, and his experience at Hyperbaric Healing Institute in 2005.  We were very excited about the possibility of doing HBOT and suit therapy together.  Noah did a 3 week intensive (physical therapy – incorporating the TheraSuit method), most days he did 2 dives per day totaling 30 dives.

After the second week, I began noticing marked improvements.  He was able to walk longer distances without falling.  His balance even without DAFO’s was much better and improvement on grades was noted.

Returning home his P.T. of almost 3 years commented that his overall base of support had improved.  Noah exhibited less scissoring, better kicking without loss of control and increased fluidity of motion at a faster pace.  Obviously, Noah’s strength was better since his tone had diminished using HBOT.

Noah reports he notices “a change” which centers around better balance.  This has led to improved confidence and feeling like he can do more with the boys at school.  It is exciting to watch him invest so much in his attempts to challenge himself to new activities.

I am still noticing improvements one month later.  We just went to the ocean and Noah was able to walk many blocks on the boardwalk with occasional hand holding help (no stroller).  Noteworthy as well is the fact that now Noah can navigate down the school hall with a full size backpack on without assistance unlike last year.

Overall, it was amazing to see such obvious results in a concentrated time frame.  Intensives are like doing a year of therapy in a brief period.  Previous weekly sessions never were as profound.  While Noah still has skills to master, we are sure that another intensive program is in our future.  The staff at HHI is stellar.  The compassion and care we received while in Kansas City, Missouri was exceptional.  Being away from home and familiarity is not easy, but the results speak for themselves.  I would be glad to speak to any perspective parents to validate our results.

Send mail to info@hhi-kc.com with questions or comments about this web site.

Last modified: 01/15/08