Radiation Side Effects Do Not Have to Be Permanent

Written By John Sloatman

Medicare Covered, Compassionate Care at Breathe Hyperbarics in Thousand Oaks, California

If you are experiencing pain, bleeding, urgency, or non-healing wounds long after radiation therapy, you are not alone. These are common side effects of radiation treatment for cancer, and they can persist for months or even years. At Breathe Hyperbarics in Thousand Oaks, we provide Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) — an FDA-approved, Medicare-covered treatment that helps patients finally heal.

We are proud to serve patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Malibu, Newbury Park, Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley, and Agoura Hills, offering a level of personal care that goes far beyond what most hospital-based programs can provide. Our clinic is rooted in empathy, compassion, patience, and safety, and we treat every patient like family.

What Is Radiation Tissue Damage?

Radiation therapy is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer, but it can also harm healthy tissues. When blood supply is reduced to areas exposed to radiation, tissue can break down and fail to heal properly. This can cause:

  • Radiation cystitis with or without hematuria

  • Radiation proctitis with urgency, bleeding, and pain

  • Non-healing wounds in previously irradiated tissue

  • Osteoradionecrosis (bone damage due to radiation)

  • Radiation enteritis affecting the intestines or abdominal wall

These conditions may develop after treatment for:

  • Prostate cancer

  • Bladder cancer

  • Cervical or uterine cancer

  • Rectal cancer

  • Breast cancer

  • Head and neck cancers

  • Testicular and penile cancers

  • Abdominal or pelvic tumors

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Helps

At Breathe Hyperbarics, we use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to reverse the effects of radiation damage. Patients breathe 100 percent medical oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, which allows oxygen to dissolve deeply into blood plasma. This oxygen-rich environment helps the body:

  • Grow new blood vessels

  • Reduce inflammation and pain

  • Improve immune response

  • Stimulate collagen production

  • Heal wounds and restore tissue function

HBOT is FDA-approved and covered by Medicare for radiation-related soft tissue injuries, cystitis, proctitis, and osteoradionecrosis. Our team works directly with your referring physician to ensure clinical documentation and insurance approval.

Why Patients Choose Breathe Hyperbarics

Unlike many hospital wound care programs, Breathe Hyperbarics offers care in a private, comfortable setting that prioritizes the whole person, not just the diagnosis. We proudly serve patients across:

  • Thousand Oaks

  • Westlake Village

  • Malibu

  • Newbury Park

  • Camarillo

  • Moorpark

  • Simi Valley

  • Agoura Hills

From the moment you arrive, our team treats you with the respect and warmth you deserve.

We are guided by our core values:

Empathy – We understand how radiation injury affects every part of your life
Compassion – We care deeply and personally about your healing journey
Patience – We take the time to support and educate you every step of the way
Safety – Our facility meets the highest standards in cleanliness, infection control, and clinical oversight

Dr. Robert Pousman, DO, a physician trained in hyperbaric medicine who leads every case with expertise and compassion.

A Patient Story: “Breathe Hyperbarics Was Essential to Getting My Life Back”

"Breathe Hyperbarics was essential to getting my life back. I had been suffering from a wound caused by radiation treatment several years ago that would not heal. After 40 sessions of oxygen treatment, I am free of the debilitating pain. Thank you to the very kind staff, that made the whole experience very pleasant. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner. Gratitude."

We hear stories like this every week — because the treatment works, and our environment makes a difference.

Referred by Physicians Across Ventura and Los Angeles Counties

Our team collaborates closely with:

  • Urologists for bladder pain and radiation cystitis

  • Proctologists for proctitis and rectal bleeding

  • Oncologists for radiation complications and wound care

  • Surgeons and primary care physicians for patients with post-radiation injuries

We provide full documentation, handle insurance pre-authorizations, and communicate clinical updates as needed.

Serving the Conejo Valley and Surrounding Areas

We are honored to treat patients from:

Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Malibu, Newbury Park, Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley, and Agoura Hills. If you are experiencing symptoms of radiation damage, or if you are a physician looking for a trusted partner in care, Breathe Hyperbarics is here to help.

All visits are by appointment only to ensure personalized attention and privacy.

Start Healing Today

You do not have to suffer in silence. Medicare covers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for radiation-induced injuries, and Breathe Hyperbarics is ready to support your recovery in a way that is personal, safe, and deeply compassionate.

📞 Call us today to speak with our care team 805.760.4771
📍 Located at 1875 E Thousand Oaks Blvd Thousand Oaks, California 91362

John Sloatman
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