Here at HOW Foundation, we believe everyone should have the right to have a healthy, well-functioning brain. Accidents can happen to anyone. Brain injuries do not discriminate across any demographic. And, to that point, we are committed to helping everyone have access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help their brain recover from the debilitating symptoms of traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress. HOW’s program is not just based on scientifically-backed studies, but also through lived experience. We have staff who know what it is like to suffer from brain fog and cognitive impairments. And, we are committed to ensuring no one else has to experience those symptoms. 90% of the people who have completed our program have improved their brain’s functioning. Their success is why we do what we do.
Read on to learn more about the specific programs we currently have available.
HOW’s Veteran Investment Program (VIP) provides veterans a proactive, safe, and healthy way to support their brain’s natural healing processes through hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This modality stimulates dormant brain tissue that has been damaged by invisible wounds of war (i.e., traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress). By bolstering the brain’s organic recovery process, hyperbaric oxygen therapy allows veterans to reclaim their wellness and optimize their brain health.
Veterans experiencing the following symptoms stand to experience improvement in these related areas:
| Area | Symptoms |
|---|---|
|
Neurological |
memory (verbal, visual, procedural), speech interpretation, word recall/aphasia, reaction time, processing speed |
|
Psychological |
anxiety, depression, stress, anger, avoidance |
|
Daily Functioning |
headaches, migraines, insomnia, drowsiness, chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, detoxification (from Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards, carbon monoxide, and accumulation of other foreign toxins) |
Phase I: Intake
Phase II: Treatment
Phase III: Assessment
* HOW Foundation staff works directly with their network of established hyperbaric oxygen therapy providers to find a qualified center nearest to the veteran. If you are a hyperbaric oxygen therapy provider, please click here to see if your center qualifies to be a HOW Foundation partner.
After I left service, I had trouble adjusting. Trouble with mood, trouble with sleep. I wasn’t the same. At home, the PTSD and lack of sleep have been debilitating. Since hyperbaric, my life has changed by sleeping. I haven't had restful sleep since 2008 or 2009. It has been about 12 years. I wake up now and I don't feel sluggish. I don't feel like I'm trying to lift something up. It's a good feeling - to not be tired all the time. With the sleep alone, my mood has been elevated. Because, now I'm able to do things around the house and be more productive.
Emilio
US Army Veteran
When I started this program, I was probably an 8/10 for post-traumatic stress. For me, HBOT has had a tremendous effect. I've been able to taper my medications. I have more energy. It's great for post-traumatic stress, brain injury, sleep deprivation. I highly recommend this treatment. It has been an amazing change in my life.
Jeff
US Navy Veteran
I haven’t been having headaches. The sound doesn’t bother my eyes as much. This is a great program to get yourself involved with — especially if you are a combat veteran who served overseas. It helps with nightmares; I haven’t had one since starting HBOT.
Jovone
US Army Veteran
I had gotten to a point where I was becoming very reclusive (and that’s not my personality). I was having difficulty finishing my thoughts. I was forgetting things mid-sentence. My short-term memory was gone. The third day after HBOT, I came out with my brain on fire (in a good way). I was back to my old self again. Much improved clarity. Much improved personality. I would rate the hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments as a 10/10. I am so grateful to HOW.
Judy
US Armed Forces Veteran
While playing sports builds many wonderful life skills (teamwork, listening, cooperation), lingering symptoms from accidental head trauma (i.e., concussions) can also be an unintended outcome. Physical damage to the brain can accumulate from repetitive sub-concussive head and body hits. We implore coaches, parents, and teammates to remain vigilant for student athletes exhibiting and experiencing concussion symptoms. Often, symptoms in children can express themselves differently than in adults. Symptoms can progress over the next hours, days, or weeks after a head hit.
Here are several examples of symptoms common to injuries from accidental head trauma in student athletes:
| Area | Symptoms |
|---|---|
|
Neurological |
difficulty concentrating, difficulty focusing, avoiding conversation, feeling foggy, difficulty seeing |
|
Psychological |
atypical anger outbursts, social isolation, stopping participation in activities once enjoyed |
|
Daily Functioning |
Grades rapidly declining, drowsiness, insomnia |
Once a student athlete has experienced a head hit, time is of the essence: following the guidance of research by Dr. Daphne Denham, HOW addresses rapidly developing inflammation that follows a concussion. Though outwardly invisible, below the skull, inflammation grows at a rapid rate. This inflammation is a natural part of the body’s healing process, but it can cause further damage in the initial stages (often referred to as “reperfusion injury”). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy acts like an ice pack for the brain and can reduce this amount of reperfusion injury.
Phase I: Intake
Phase II: Treatment
Phase III: Assessment
* HOW Foundation staff works directly with their network of established hyperbaric oxygen therapy providers to find a qualified center nearest to the student. If you are a hyperbaric oxygen therapy provider, please click here to see if your center qualifies to be a HOW Foundation partner.
I had 2 sessions of HBOT. About 2 weeks ago, I fell head-first from my bucking horse. I definitely had a concussion. In class, I could not focus at all. And, I had a headache for a couple of days. The chamber was pretty nice and comfortable. I felt pretty energized afterward. When I went to study after treatment, I was able to concentrate for 2 hours — which is record-breaking, for me. If you hit your head (even if it’s not that hard), I would go to your doctor as soon as possible, get your brain checked, and get HBOT.
Francesca
Equestrian
I ended up doing my 10m dive not so well, and ended up getting hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber therapy. I’m not so dizzy after or foggy. I got in the chamber 3 days after the accident. Even 2-3 hours after being out of the chamber, there were significant improvements. Before hyperbaric, I was very foggy. Everything was kind of delayed. My brain usually works a mile a minute, but I was not able to do that. After HBOT, I did vestibular therapy and school work and there were improvements on both fronts. I was able to do my school work for longer periods of time; I didn’t have to take as many breaks. I was able to complete my tasks a lot more efficiently.
Caroline
College High Diver
I got a concussion from a game in lacrosse. I got hit in the neck with a stick. I fell back and to the ground. I had a headache and felt dizzy, tired, and nauseous. The first day at HBOT, the people made me feel nice and comfortable. I had to do 10 sessions. After, I felt way better! I was able to concentrate better. I was able to do things I wasn’t able to do before.
Asher
Middle School Lacrosse Player
My symptoms got worse from concussion to concussion. My last concussion was the worst, in terms of effects. I had trouble with name recognition, memory, concentration. During and after the treatment, I started having improvements in memory. My name recognition was spot on, and I was able to focus for long amounts of time. I don’t have to rest my mind as much. I have no more symptoms.
Joey
College Track Athlete
