Dr. Steenblock began using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for chronic stroke in 1989 and in the more than twenty (20) years since has treated scores of chronic stroke patients and written and spoken extensively about the improvements he has seen during that time*. Not unexpectedly, his pioneering use of hyperbaric oxygen to improve brain damaged stroke patients was met with sometimes hostile remarks and articles by so-called skeptics and medical journalists. Among them was Quackwatch’s own Stephen Barrett, MD who wrote this in an article titled “A Skeptical Look at David Steenblock, D.O.” (Readers interested in a section-by-section critical rebuttal of Barrett’s article are invited to read “Beware of Quackwatch” at http://bit.ly/KJlSXC):

“The treatments that seem to interest Steenblock most are hyperbaric oxygen therapy and stem cell therapy. According to an article on the Stroke Doctor Web site:

Strokes are caused by a lack of oxygen to a part of the brain. Long term effects are caused by the continued lack of oxygen, the swelling of brain tissue and the accumulation of calcium within the damaged nerve cells. Dr. Steenblock’s neuro-rehab program is designed to bring oxygen back to these starved cells, reduce swelling, and provide the nutrients needed to help the cells remove their waste and restore normal metabolic function [6].

It is true that strokes are caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. However, there is no scientific evidence that increasing oxygen delivery to the brain after an acute episode is over can stimulate cells to regenerate.”

Recently a very rigorous Israeli clinical study on HBOT and chronic stroke was published in the open access journal PLOS Clinical Trials. The results of the study were written up as a paper titled “Hyperbaric Oxygen Induces Late Neuroplasticity in Post Stroke Patients – Randomized, Prospective Trial” which can be access at  http://bit.ly/10cVdNA. The conclusion tells the tale:

“The results indicate that HBOT can lead to significant neurological improvements in post stroke patients even at chronic late stages. The observed clinical improvements imply that neuroplasticity can still be activated long after damage onset in regions where there is a brain SPECT/CT (anatomy/physiology) mismatch.”

If this somewhat technical jargon is leaving you glassy-eyed, here is something from a lay-level write-up on this study that appeared on the ScienceDaily website on 1-23-2013:

“For their study, the researchers sought post stroke patients whose condition was no longer improving. To assess the potential impact of HBOT treatment, the anatomical features and functionality of the brain were evaluated using a combination of CT scans to identify necrotic tissue, and SPECT scans to determine the metabolic activity level of the neurons surrounding damaged areas.

“Seventy-four participants spanning 6 to 36 months post-stroke were divided into two groups. The first treatment group received HBOT from the beginning of the study, and the second received no treatment for two months, then received a two-month period of HBOT treatment. Treatment consisted of 40 two-hour sessions five times weekly in high pressure chambers containing oxygen-rich air. The results indicate that HBOT treatment can lead to significant improvement in brain function in post stroke patients even at chronically late stages, helping neurons strengthen and build new connections in damaged regions.”

Also:

“Although the study focuses on patients only through three years post-stroke, Dr. Efrati has seen similar improvement in patients whose brain injuries occurred up to 20 years before, belying the concept that the brain has a limited window for growth and change.”

Here is a link to the ScienceDaily article in question: http://bit.ly/UW1RmE. Citation: American Friends of Tel Aviv University. “Oxygen chamber can boost brain repair years after stroke or trauma.” ScienceDaily, 23 Jan. 2013. Web. 23 Jan. 2013.

Readers interested in Dr. Steenblock’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy program as well as other innovative facets of his personalized regenerative medicine approach are invited to learn more at www.stemcellmd.org, www.strokedoctor.com and www.davidsteenblock.com.

Stroke patients and others struggling with chronic diseases & conditions who’d like to discuss their case with Dr. Steenblock or one of his staff are invited to call 1-800-300-1063 (9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday) and set up a FREE consultation.

Dr. Steenblock’s Clinic – The Road to Your Healing Starts Here

*For a technically-oriented review of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for stroke rehabilitation by Dr. Steenblock click this link http://bit.ly/xr6m7z, as well as “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Physical Therapy & Biofeedback for Chronic Stroke” at http://bit.ly/wrPcMu)