After treating hundreds of warriors and their families suffering from mild traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress, Hampton Roads Hyperbaric has joined forces with Dr. Gregory J. O’Shanick to provide an integrative, comprehensive program unlike any other in the area for our Special Operations Forces (SOF) suffering from ‘Operator Syndrome”. Dr. O’Shanick is a foremost brain injury expert and founder of The Center for Neurorehabilitation Services (CNS) in Richmond, VA.

Our SOF here in Virginia face great challenges to recovery due to prolonged stress overload, rigorous training and unprecedented combat exposure. This creates a unique constellation of health conditions and symptoms which in recent years has become known as Operator Syndrome.

Health issues from Operator Syndrome include functional impairments, endocrine dysfunction, sleep disturbance, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic pain, chronic headaches, orthopedic problems, headaches, substance abuse, depression and suicide, marital and family dysfunction, problems with sexual health and intimacy, hypervigilance, memory, vision and cognitive impairment.

Recognizing the full-spectrum of Operator Syndrome is critical to proper assessment, care and recovery. Our evidence-based, multi-modal program address the myriad health issues SOF face in order to improve quality of life and accelerate recovery. The 8-week program provides professional, medical oversight through-out the course of treatment, combined with best-in-class assessments, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), neurotherapy, talk therapy, near infrared light therapy and clinical tools to measure results.

  • Patients undergo extensive intake with multiple providers. Psychophysiological profiles consisting of Quantitative Electroencepliographs (QEEG) and physiological stress assessments, computer-based cognitive assessments and vision assessments are performed.
  • O’Shanick and team analyze all data to develop a personalized treatment protocol. Data is shared with other providers that may also be treating the patient, when possible.
  • HBOT and near infrared light therapy are utilized to increase blood flow to the damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, create additional blood vessels, mobilize stem cells and stimulate healing.
  • Neurotherapy and biofeedback address neurological and psychological symptoms and enable patients to learn how to change physiological activity to improve health and performance.
  • Precise instruments measure brainwaves, heart function, breathing, muscle activity, and skin temperature. These instruments rapidly and accurately “feed back” information to the user. The presentation of this information — often in conjunction with changes in thinking, emotions, and behavior — supports desired physiological changes. Over time, these changes can endure without the continued use of an instrument.
  • The program also integrates talk therapy, vision therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and proprietary protocols developed by CNS to optimize rehabilitation.
  • Post treatment QEEG and medical assessments demonstrate evidence of results.
  • Upon completion, patients have access to tools and training for follow-up and ongoing self-care.

Whether you are a provider, potential patient or donor, please call us immediately at 757-452-3934 to enroll or learn more.