Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition associated with widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and cognitive symptoms often described as “fibro fog”. Its management is normally multidisciplinary and may include exercise, sleep strategies, psychological support and medication prescribed by healthcare professionals.
Pain processing and ongoing research
Research has explored changes in pain processing, blood flow and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in people with fibromyalgia. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also being studied as a complementary approach, but protocols and individual responses vary and it should not be presented as a universal cure.
Why is hyperbaric oxygen being studied?
When a patient breathes oxygen under pressure in a medical chamber, more oxygen dissolves in plasma and becomes available to tissues. Researchers have investigated several possible effects:
- Tissue oxygenation: Increased plasma oxygen may influence areas with altered perfusion or oxygen demand.
- Inflammatory signalling: Hyperbaric oxygen can modulate some inflammatory pathways, although its clinical relevance must be assessed for each condition and patient.
- Fatigue and quality of life: Some patients report changes in symptoms, but results are not identical and continued medical follow-up remains essential.
At HMCE Hyperbaric Medical Center, fibromyalgia cases require an individual assessment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is complementary and should be coordinated with the professionals managing the patient’s overall treatment.