For many business owners, a personal experience motivates them to start their company, and Catherine Redinbo and her husband Chad are no exception. Catherine, CEO of New Leaf Hyperbarics & Wellness, was first introduced to the positive effects of hyperbaric therapy when her daughter, Halle, began treatment at the age of 4 for her autistic spectrum disorder.  Halle was nonverbal and struggling with handling conflict and interpersonal relationships.  Although her school and therapists were working with her and she was showing improvements, Cat had heard that hyperbaric therapy could have some positive effects on children with autism. 

"When we heard about hyperbaric therapy as a possible aid for her, we decided to go ahead and try it out.  After just two treatments, we started to notice improvements with the aches and pains she had been experiencing.  After a few more treatments, she started making better eye contact with us," Redinbo explained.

With continued treatments, Cat and her husband started to notice social improvements in Halle and she began to develop friendships at school, something she had struggled with in the past.

"She will always be different; she has a different drum beat, but she now has the social skills necessary to interact without pushing people away."

Originally designed to assist scuba divers in recovering from decompression sickness, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized machine or room.  The treatment has been found to assist in the healing of serious infections and is becoming more commonly used to treat a wide variety of medical concerns.

"One of our friends with MS (multiple sclerosis) saw great improvements after eight treatments.  She was able to walk again and it seemed to slow down some of the deterioration that MS causes," Cat explained.

People who have had plastic surgery or have experienced post-radiation damage from chemotherapy treatments have also noticed improvements after the treatments.  "I've seen several people with post-radiation damage where the hyperbaric therapy just turned that all around," Cat said.

These stories and their own research drove Cat and Chad to open New Leaf Hyperbarics & Wellness, providing both hyperbaric and oxygen therapy at their four clinics in Lacey, Tacoma, Spokane Valley and Eugene.  Services include massage, oxygen therapy, hyperbaric therapy, and some of the clinics also have independent psychotherapists for a full mind and body approach to wellness.  Hyperbaric treatments cost approximately $100 a treatment and may be covered under some insurance plans for certain ailments.

"Our clients come from all walks of life.  We have wounded veterans, children with autism and ADHD, people recovering from a stroke, and professional golfers!  You could easily say that any BODY that could benefit from better respiration, circulation, or less inflammation will benefit from hyperbaric therapy," Redinbo said.  "We have witnessed improvements in everything from arthritis, migraines and asthma, all the way to stroke, traumatic brain injuries and neurological conditions.  We have successfully helped with infertility issues and we have helped athletes, both pro and weekend warriors,  blast their personal records."

Learn more about New Leaf Hyperbarics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy at www.newleafhyperbarics.com.