Frequently Asked Questions
HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
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No, hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments are NOT covered by any insurance.
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Yes.
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a painless and non-invasive specialized oxygen treatment that effectively enhances the body's natural healing process. It involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber.
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy supports the body in several ways:
— Enables oxygen to be dissolved into hard-to-reach plasma, lymph, and fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
— Increases the amount of oxygen carried by the blood.
— Reduces swelling and inflammation.
— Stimulates the development of new blood vessels in areas with compromised circulation.
— Promotes collagen, bone, and cartilage repair and regeneration.
— Mobilizes and stimulates an increase of stem cells within damaged tissues and bone marrow.
— Increases superoxide dismutase, one of the body's most crucial antioxidants and free radical scavengers.
— Strengthens the immune system and stimulates the release of stem cells. -
The most common conditions our clients seek treatment for are:
— Sports performance.
— Health optimization.
— Increase sleep quality.
— Stress reduction. -
1st The chamber is pressurized to the prescribed pressure, usually 1.4-1.7 atmospheres absolute, similar to 10-15 meters being below the surface of the ocean.
2nd Patients lie inside the chamber on a comfortable mattress and then start breathing pure oxygen.
3rd If it's a 60-minute treatment, there's no need for an air break.
4th After the oxygen periods are finished, the chamber is depressurized, and the treatment is completed. -
During the treatment session, the pressure in the chamber gradually increases, and oxygen starts flowing in through the oxygen mask. This process can create a sensation similar to ascending or descending in an airplane. However, this sensation typically lasts only about 10-15 minutes. A technician will be present throughout the treatment, and at the end, they will help gradually decrease the pressure in the chamber, which takes about 10 minutes. Some individuals may experience a slight popping sensation in their ears during decompression.
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No, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is not painful. Most patients find these sessions to be a time for relaxation, napping, or reading. If you experience any discomfort, it's important to inform the chamber operator immediately.
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The duration of a treatment session can vary depending on the patient's condition, but treatments typically last for 60 minutes.
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The number and frequency of treatments required vary depending on the specific condition being treated.
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In our clinic, we use Monoplace hyperbaric chambers.
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered extremely safe, although there are a few rare risks associated with it, including oxygen toxicity, middle ear injuries/barotrauma of the ear, sinus congestion and pressure, temporary near-sightedness, claustrophobia, and seizures. These risks are rare and will be monitored by the healthcare professionals during the treatment.
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We recommend wearing cotton clothing and avoiding cosmetics, perfumes, hair sprays, deodorants, and jewelry. Both nicotine and caffeine can constrict blood vessels and potentially reduce the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It is strongly advised to avoid tobacco during the treatment period if possible. Additionally, we recommend having a light, nutritious meal one to two hours before the scheduled treatment.
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No, during pregnancy this treatment is forbidden.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
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Yes, physiotherapy sessions are covered by basic health insurance in Switzerland if a medical prescription is provided by your general practitioner.
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Yes, you can still book a physiotherapy session even without a medical prescription.
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The type of physiotherapy you can expect in a session will depend on your injury or treatment plan. The physiotherapist may choose to incorporate manual manipulation, dry needling, shock waves, kinesio taping, or HumanTecar® therapy. In our studio, we also have a gym division where, based on your clinical condition, the physiotherapist may include exercises or gym-based activities in your sessions.
SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY
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Physiotherapy aims to help patients feel comfortable and manage their day-to-day activities, while sports physiotherapy focuses on whether the patient can return to or maintain the required physical level for their desired sports activities. Sports therapists primarily specialize in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
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Yes, physiO2sport has a dedicated room fully equipped with Technogym machines and accessories to support sport therapy sessions.
HUMAN TECAR®
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HumanTecar® is a non-ablative and non-invasive treatment that uses high-frequency currents, typically ranging from 300 KHz to 1 MHz. It can work in two modes:
Capacitive mode: This mode affects tissues with higher electrolytic content, such as soft tissues and muscles.
Resistive mode: This mode affects tissues with higher resistance, such as joints, bones, and tendons. -
HumanTecar® has shown good results in treating the following:
— Disability;
— Fibrotic and sclerotic cellulite, lymphedema, venous insufficiency, and fluid retention;
— Improving energy and vitality
— Anti-stress treatment, improving sleep quality, restoring vitality, preventing falls in elderly individuals, improving balance and stability;
— Anti-aging and esthetic physiotherapy;
— Treating circulatory issues, traumas, and rehabilitation;
— Acute and chronic pain, lower back pain (lumbago), neck pain (cervicalgia), muscle injuries, sprains, post-surgery rehabilitation, prevention and treatment of sports injuries, and muscle recovery;
— Supporting professional and amateur athletes in recovering from excessive physical exertion, muscle pain, delayed recovery from trauma, and improving strength, speed, and endurance. -
Depending on the treatment and body area, we may discourage this kind of treatment for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. However, there are several treatment options available for women who have had a C-section to improve the scar.
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No, HumanTecar® is part of the physiotherapy session. Your general practitioner may recommend this treatment to be included in your physiotherapy sessions, or the decision to include it will be made by one of our physiotherapists based on your injury or situation.
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No, it is not necessary. Your general practitioner may recommend it if needed.
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HumanTecar® is a diathermy therapeutic modality that utilizes Capacitive Resistive Electric Transference (Tecar) technology. It involves increasing the local body tissue temperature, combined with subthermal application, to promote the body's healing response.
SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
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No, shockwave therapy is part of the physiotherapy session. Your general practitioner may recommend this kind of treatment as part of your physiotherapy sessions, or it will be included based on the decision of the physiotherapists, depending on your injury or situation.
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Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment, but patients might experience some pain or discomfort in the treatment area during the procedure.
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Depending on the treatment and body area, we may advise against this kind of treatment for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
ACUPUNTURE
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Acupuncture can be useful for a variety of conditions, including anxiety, arthritis (joint inflammation), chronic pain, depression, insomnia, migraines, nausea, sinus congestion, allergies or nasal stuffiness, stress, infertility, addiction, and skin appearance.
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Not recommended for babies, as the use of needles is not advisable. However, for toddlers, needles can be replaced by a specific acupuncture laser, which provides similar results. The treatment duration may be longer, and additional sessions may be required.
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While pregnant or breastfeeding, acupuncture treatment is generally safe. It's important to inform your specialist about your condition, as certain trigger points may be risky during pregnancy. For women who are breastfeeding, there are treatments available to support milk supply.
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Yes, you can book an acupuncture session.
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No, acupuncture is considered a complementary specialty, even with a general practitioner's prescription, it’s then covered by the complementary insurances.
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At physiO2sport, we offer Chinese and Japanese Acupuncture.
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Chinese Acupuncture: In China, acupuncturists use needles to stimulate the "De Qi" sensation, representing life energy flowing through the body. Acupuncturists enhance this sensation by gently rotating the needle. More needles are used, covering a wider area of the body.
Japanese Acupuncture: Japanese acupunctures use a different diagnosis approach than Chinese. Diagnostic assessment in Japanese style acupuncture relies heavily on palpation of the abdomen and various pulses along the meridian system.
DRY NEEDLING
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No, dry needling is part of the physiotherapy session. Your general practitioner may indicate this kind of treatment to be included in your physiotherapy sessions, or it will be decided by the physiotherapists based on your injury or situation.
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Both treatments involve the use of thin needles, but they are based on different medical principles, theories, and techniques. Dry needling primarily stimulates and targets trigger points in the muscles and fascia, while acupuncture works on the body’s energy flow. Dry needling is a more active approach, involving shorter and shallower needle insertions, whereas acupuncture is a more passive technique, with longer.
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The benefits of dry needling include:
— Promotion of faster healing
— Reduction of pain
— Improvement in range of motion
— Enhancement of blood circulation
— Resetting the body's systems -
Depending on the treatment and the area of the body involved, we may discourage pregnant or breastfeeding women from undergoing dry needling. It is important to always inform your doctor or specialist about your situation to receive appropriate guidance.