In a new episode of Biobarica Talk, we spoke with Dr. Natalia Canás, neurosurgeon, pain specialist, and spine pathology expert, Head of the Neurosurgery Department at Hospital Vicente López y Planes de Gral. Rodríguez, and Medical Director of Oxia.

With a strong surgical background and extensive experience in chronic pain management, Dr. Canás shares her experience incorporating hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a complementary tool within a comprehensive medical approach.

When Conventional Pain Treatments Are Not Enough

A large part of Dr. Canás’ practice focuses on spinal pathology and chronic pain, including lower back pain, cervical pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain.

“Many patients do not respond to conventional treatments. In the search for therapeutic alternatives that could add to what we were already doing, we began to explore hyperbaric medicine.”

The decision to incorporate a hyperbaric chamber at Oxia arose from this need: to expand therapeutic tools without compromising scientific rigor. The review of published evidence and the outcomes observed in pain-related conditions were key factors in the decision.

From the beginning, the approach was clear: HBOT does not replace treatments—it enhances them.

“There isn’t a single medication or single method that solves everything. When we exhaust one tool, we stop getting good responses. The chamber is an excellent complementary therapy.”

From Fibromyalgia to Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tangible Functional Improvements.

After just two months of implementation, the team began observing meaningful changes in patients with persistent pain.

Patients with fibromyalgia reported sustained pain reduction, improved sleep quality, and greater overall well-being.

In cases of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory pain, improvements were reflected in small but significant functional achievements.

One patient who was unable to walk on the beach wearing sandals due to plantar pain was able to do so after several sessions.

“These may seem like minor details, but for the patient, they mean regaining quality of life.”

These outcomes reinforce the value of hyperbaric therapy as part of a multimodal approach, combining pharmacological treatment, physiotherapy, and continuous medical support.

Avoiding Surgery: How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Modifies the Therapeutic Timeline.

From her perspective as a neurosurgeon, Dr. Canás offers a key reflection:

“The best surgery is the one that can be avoided. And the best surgeon is the one who knows when not to operate.”

In patients with borderline disc pathology—or even with clear surgical indication—the incorporation of HBOT has, in some cases, significantly reduced symptoms.

A vascular surgeon colleague with a surgical cervical disc condition who initially refused surgery began complementary hyperbaric treatment. After several sessions, he reported complete resolution of symptoms.

While Dr. Canás emphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up, she acknowledges that hyperbaric therapy may modify the therapeutic timeline and offer a valid alternative before proceeding to surgery, when clinically appropriate.

Beyond the Symptom: Working on the Biological Terrain

One of the aspects Dr. Canás highlights most is the systemic effect of hyperbaric therapy.

“Where oxygen reaches, life reaches. Improving cellular health impacts all tissues.”

Beyond symptomatic relief, HBOT works on the patient’s biological terrain by optimizing tissue oxygenation, modulating inflammation, and promoting repair processes.

This not only improves pain but also enhances the effectiveness of other therapeutic interventions.

“Everything makes sense when we understand that we are improving the foundation on which the other treatments work.”

A Tool That Expands the Therapeutic Horizon

Dr. Natalia Canás’ experience demonstrates how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be solidly and evidence-based integrated into high-complexity specialties such as neurosurgery and pain management.

From preventing avoidable surgeries to improving complex chronic conditions, HBOT is positioning itself as a strategic tool within a medical model focused on achieving real and sustainable results.

Medicine evolves when it incorporates resources that enhance outcomes. And along that path, hyperbaric therapy is gaining increasing space in daily clinical practice.