Carboxy Therapy

Just making inroads into South Africa, almost eighty years after it's initial discovery and research in France. It is also called Carbon Dioxide Therapy, not to be confused with Carbon Monoxide, which is the toxic exhaust fume variety.

Carboxy therapy is the injection of medical grade Carbon Dioxide, into the tissues. We have been using absolute liters of it in abdomens when doing laparoscopies for decades now, but in this case the gas is infiltrated into tissues. The use varies greatly – from the head for hairloss and wrinkles, for body contouring, Erectile Dysfunction, poor circulation, and lastly but not least, painful legs and feet.

Why and How does Carbon Dioxide infiltration work ? C02 is the gas produced by your own muscles when you excercise. During intense excercise a large amount is produced and the relative Oxygen pressure in the tissues drop. This gradient causes a minor stress which causes the release of ta growth factor (VEGF or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) which grows new blood vessels in the form of capillaries, into the tissues. It obviously is not an 'overnight' process; however, effects are visible and felt within a few weeks.

A second effect is throught the quick dissociation of the CO2 which increases acidity in the tissues. This causes the fast release of Oxygen from the red blood cells and an immediate oxygenation of the tissues. This effect is commonly referred to as the Bohr Effect.

To put into perspective how much is used, one would in a single treatment use approximately 200 cc up to 2 liters. We breath out between 200 and 400 cc per breath at roughly 12 breathes per minute at rest. This amounts to normal breathing out of around 2-4 liters per minute. During excercise, this increases dramatically. The amount infiltrated in 30 minutes is far less than we usually breath out normally in one minute, which is why this treatment does not pose any threat to our health.

What would the applications be then ? This largely depends on the area being infiltrated for e.g. :

• Skin : Improved blood supply to the skin results in a healthy glow, hyperpigmentation due to poor circulation improves, wrinkles decrease, ulcers heal, and superficial dry gangrene resolves and heals. The skin also tightens where its been sagging or become crepey.

• Muscle : There is immediate oxygenation due to the process described above but alsot hte longer lasting effect, where new bloodvessels gradually grow into the muscle which improves Oxygen delivery – this means that gradually walking distance and performance improves, and aching at night improves as the legs start getting more oxygen.

• Erectile dysfunction, as well as womens issues : The treatment of this condition is effective as the whole system works on bloodflow.

• Scars : keloid scars remodel and become flatter and the colour normalises.

What does the treatment feel like ?

It is an injection so it's uncomfortable, it is between 4-8 injections per leg. The discomfort is only for the few seconds during the treatment time, and once you're off the couch the legs actually feel warm, light and good. When there is numbness from diabetes, then sensitivity will often return and become hypersensitive before normalizing. In essence, things can feel worse for a week or two before feeling better.

How do you know your circulation is poor :

There are a number of tell tale signs that will show you circulation in the feet is inadequate :

• Hair stops growing

• Skin starts discolouring and becoming darker

• Aching of feet or cramping when the legs are elevated

• Cramping in the calves that starts when walking a certain distance or up a slope that eases with rest.

• if you squeeze the toes till they white, then wait and they don't go pink in less than 10 seconds and there are other factors as well, then see your docter to check up on your circulation.

• Another very important fact to know is that if you have been smoking for more than 20 years you will most probably be suffering from some damage to your circulation already and it would be prudent to have it checked up properly.

How often are treatments done ?

If the limb is in trouble we would do a treatment twice a week, otherwise once a week until sensation, colour and walking distance or pain have improved, usually two to three months whereafter we just continue with maintenance once or twice a month. Approx cost of treatment : R350 per session for circulation.