Aimee Allenback, certified International Hyperbaric Technician by the International Board of Undersea Medicine (IBUM) and founder of Next Level Oxygen in Pensacola, FL, is a staunch advocate for incorporating preventative health practices into your lifestyle choices. One of her favorite quotes, “Invest in your wellness or pay for your illness,” says it all. So, it’s no wonder this passionate healthpreneur spends a great deal of her time educating others on safe, non-invasive modalities like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), the therapy that serves as the heart of her business. 

HBOT was first used to treat pulmonary and digestive conditions in the 1600’s. “Several variations of use have happened over each century since. The modern use of HBOT is now approved by the FDA and insurable for 14 severe indications,” she says. “However, as with many prescription medicines and treatments, there are over 120 ‘off-label’ conditions for which HBOT has been shown to be effective and beneficial,” she attests. 

People are drawn to this therapy for a variety of reasons that focus on quality-of-life improvements and overall health goals—but mostly because it’s a non-invasive, natural approach to wellness. “Many others use HBOT as a method of recovery after surgery, to reduce debilitating chronic autoimmune issues or migraines and, sometimes, just as an energy boost. And lastly, those concerned about aging are looking for ways to slow down the process, do it more gracefully, and reach optimal wellness along the way,” explains Allenback. 

According to Allenback, clinical research studies have shown that HBOT can enhance the body’s innate ability to repair and regenerate. A study, conducted by the University of Wisconsin Madison in May of 2022, where eight people were exposed to 1.3 atmospheres absolute (ATA) daily for 60-minutes, 10 times over a 12-day period in ambient air conditions only concluded that natural stem cell proliferation occurs after just 10 sessions of mild hyperbarics. “This is significant because stem cells have the potential to repair, restore and regenerate cells which could possibly be used to treat many medical conditions and diseases,” Allenback said. “To increase them naturally through this therapy is amazing.”

HBOT helps improve the health and well-being of those using it by reducing inflammation in the body. “Inflammation is at the root of all disease and pain. Finding ways to control it allows our bodies to work to their full potential,” shares Allenbeck. “One hour in a hyperbaric chamber can provide the relief of 40 ibuprofen without the risk of liver damage. One hour in the chamber can also initiate a rest and digest state of our parasympathetic nervous system. This is critical for the restoration and recovery of our body’s natural processes.”

Allenbeck goes on to describe why no other oxygen therapy competes with hyperbarics. “It’s simply because of the physics behind it,” she states. “While many are fascinated to learn the importance of oxygen to our body’s healing, they’re astounded to understand that the pressure is the key to this therapy. By increasing the atmospheric pressure, oxygen molecules become tinier and dissolve into the blood plasma thereby allowing another delivery of oxygen to the body different from the one we all are aware of—our red blood cells. This intense delivery saturates the body, sometimes getting oxygen to starving tissues and cells where repair can begin. Furthermore, after an HBOT session, the body continues the necessary stress needed to heal as it goes through a hypoxic state before returning to normal levels.” 

At Next Level Oxygen, Allenbeck and her team combine the use of HBOT with other known therapies to promote detoxification and cellular repair such as light therapy and infrared sauna therapy. “Using these modalities together can produce a superior result for an individual,” she affirms. “Oxygen heals. It works immediately to help the body start to repair. It only makes sense that if we’re consistently using this method of therapy, we can repair faster, improve physiological performance, as well as slow down progressive aging diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s,” she says. “The benefits are not one size fits all, and the protocols vary depending on which goals are trying to be achieved. Ultimately, hyperbarics should become a lifestyle choice.”

Allenbeck’s team aims to continue educating others and creating awareness on preferential health modalities. “We’re always here to encourage people to dedicate themselves to wellness—either with consistent visits to medspas like Next Level Oxygen, or by creating their own wellness rooms at home, complete with their own HBOT chamber.”

Location: 901 Scenic Hwy., Pensacola, FL. For more information, visit NextLevelOxygen.com or call 850-990-HBOT(4268). On Instagram at @nextleveloxygen.