What is Oxygen Therapy and how does it work?

Our bodies use around 500 L of Oxygen per day. The Oxygen content in our air is 21%. Oxygen is a vital element and is used by our bodies in multiple ways. In order to be healthy and votal, our bodies and in fact all tissue ( skins, organs etc) need to have a high oxgygen content delivered to them vi the red blood cells. When we have an injury blood flow to that area is hampered and as such healing is slower . When we have an infection ( viral or bacteria ) or a cancer, the oxygen content of the tissue in that area is compromised and normally results in an hpoxic state ( low or zero oxygen) this is not good for our bodies but is good for the foreign attacker. If we can alter this oxygen state, then we can vastly improve recovery  and or management in both an injury and certain illnesses.

Who can benefit from Oxygen therapy?

Oxygen therapy can benefit anybody and will have a positive effect on any body or system. However, there are specific times when it can be extra helpful. these include ( from mild to more serious):

• Athletes looking to enhance recovery and ensure bodies are in best
• shape prior to events or during training
• Injury - broken bones, surgery, ligament and tendon damage
• Wounds - burns, bedsores, diabetic wounds
• Mild sickness - flus etc
• Brain impairments
• Old age
• Autism
• Chronis diseases such as Arthritis, Fibromigle
• Depression and Anxiety
• Sleep disorder

How is the oxygen delivered via the chamber

In the chamber, we deliver Oxygen to the client at around 95% saturation level in the air ( normal in 21%) , so already this is approx 4x the normal content. Then we gradually increase the pressure inside the chamber until it is about 3x that of normal environment. This feels similar to when you ascend in an airplane. This then further enhances oxygen flow into the blood and tissues due to the greater pressure. the net result is about 10X more O2 being delivered to your cells than normal. The benefits of this are signifigant and last for a day or 2 after a session

About Sue Cowen

Sue is the owner and founder of the Cape Oxygen and Recovery Centre. Sue has a BSC with a major in Human movement studies and Physiology from Stellenbosch University.

After a Career in Banking, Sue followed her passion for sports, health and coaching and set-up a local Hockey Academy ( Junior Hockey Skills) with her business partner Jill Walsh.

Through her own sporting passion ( hockey and running) and multiple areas of contact with athletes (young and old) , muscle recovery and performance aspects, she discovered the benefit of recovery boots.

After to injuries in the family in 2022, she discovered the amazing healing effect of Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After trying it for herself and her son, the next step was to set up a local centre to make these recovery and wellness therapies accessible to people in her community. Cape Oxygen and Recovery Centre opened its door, and the rest is history.