A topic that is hardly ever addressed is the role of recovery. We hear about it all the time on tour, but most amateurs ignore this vital piece of the puzzle.
I have been using mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in my business and for myself for about six years. Many recovery modalities are thrown around, and they typically are well after the injury has occurred. Massage therapy, dry needling, physical therapy and the list goes on, but until we address the biggest problem with most players — restricted mobility, we will never fully fix our customers.
We know restricted mobility players are at a big disadvantage when it comes to speed, distance and sequencing properly. As a TPI Level 3 Golf, Fitness and Power coach, as well as a Precision Nutrition coach, integrating mobility programs to help is only scratching the surface. We all know you can't out-train a bad diet; but if we had a little help from something as natural as oxygen, we would be ahead of the curve.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, in my opinion, is one of, if not the best recovery modalities out there, and without a doubt the most overlooked. Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non-invasive wellness treatment using pressurized chambers to increase oxygen delivery to the body tissues and cells.
The fact of the matter today is that most problems originate from pollutants in the air and the food we eat. Our cells become toxic, which leads to insufficient oxygen flow, and thus the cells become inflamed and predisposed to disease. So when we talk about mobility in our fitness sessions and golf lessons, the root cause is inflammation, and until that issue is addressed, problems will remain and progress stalled.
The benefits of (mHBOT) are truly amazing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy forces oxygen into the cells, increasing their strength and aiding in the detoxification process. Bacteria, fungi, microbes and viruses cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy creates a surplus of oxygen, which speeds up the healing process at an accelerated rate. This process helps reproduce red and white blood cells, which are essential for our body to fight off infection. With increased oxygen levels, athletes can experience enhanced endurance and cognitive function, leading to increased focus and decision-making, which are essential for tour players coming down the stretch. The biggest everyday use for myself and amateurs is decreased stress and anxiety and better sleep patterns, which we all know are essential for recovery. The chamber increases the body's stem cells, boosts immune function and increases the ability to fight infection.
We are seeing in all sports, not just golf, that older athletes are competing at a higher level longer with less injuries due to increased awareness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Justin Rose is now a tour winner at the age of 45 who goes to almost every event with his wellness van. As we push further and further with training, it must be noted that a simple, highly effective and easily accessible recovery method such a hyperbaric oxygen therapy should not be overlooked by the everyday player. With just a few sessions a month, the benefits will pay huge dividends, even if it is just more sleep.
Jamie White is a golf performance coach, co-founder of Denver Golf Performance and founder of Jamie White Golf in Kennebunkport, Maine. An accomplished instructor with TPI Level 3, Gray Institute and Golf Digest certifications, he specializes in biomechanics and functional movement. Jamie's holistic approach incorporates advanced technology like Trackman, SportsBox AI, SAM PuttLab and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help players understand the golf swing, improve recovery and achieve lower scores.