HBOT for Montana Veterans
Making Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Accessible to Montana Veterans
Why Veterans?
Based on data provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veteran suicide rate in Montana is significantly higher than the national Veteran suicide rate and also significantly higher than the national general population suicide rate. Approximately 10% of Montana’s population served in the U.S. military and around 40% of this population struggles with some type of mental health issue. Many face the challenges of dealing with diagnosed and undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and PTSD. The HBOT for Montana Veterans program was designed because the BIAMT believes something bigger needs to be done to Support Veterans and their families.
What is HBOT?
Hyberbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a therapy in which a person breathes supplemental oxygen while the pressure of the chamber is increased to greater than one atmospheric pressure (one atmosphere absolute/one ATA). This increased pressure allows for oxygen to dissolve and saturate the blood plasma and body tissues without relying on the body’s red blood cells. As a result, the body is provided with the oxygen needed to improve cellular functions, rebuild tissues, stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, and support neuronal connections within the brain.
What are the Benefits?
HBOT is FDA approved to treat many conditions including those that are often experienced by individuals who have suffered a brain injury:
InflammationWeakened Immune System
Chronic Fatigue
Depression
Migraines
Sleep Issues
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Every person’s brain injury is unique, and everyone’s body reacts differently to HBOT. We recommend that our clients commit to 40 sessions to receive the most the most benefit. This is the amount of sessions supported by existing studies and literature. In general, those with chronic conditions (brain injury that is > 3 months old) symptom improvement is not expected until 10 sessions or more. For acute conditions (brain injury that is <3 months old) symptom improvement may be seen in as little as 2-3 sessions. Treatments last from 60-90 minutes, during which the client lies down in the chamber and breathes normally.
What is the Cost & How Can I Schedule a Session?
The BIAMT is dedicated to making HBOT accessible to ALL Montanans, which is why we have implemented a sliding scale fee. While the average cost of HBOT therapy is $125 per session, the BIAMT provides sessions starting at $50. If this $50 fee is unaffordable, we will work with clients on an individual basis to determine a more feasible cost. To schedule your first intake session, please call 406-541-6442 or email info@biamt.org. HBOT sessions are conducted at the BIAMT office: 1018 Burlington Ave. Suite 100, Missoula, MT.
