What Is HBOT?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing 100% medical-grade oxygen while inside a pressure chamber whose ambient pressure is higher than normal atmospheric pressure (typically 1.5 to 3.0 atmospheres absolute). unitypoint.org+3Johns Hopkins Medicine+3PMC+3
Under elevated pressure, more oxygen dissolves directly into the blood plasma (not just bound to hemoglobin). This oxygen-rich plasma can then permeate deeper into tissues, reaching areas that may have poor blood flow or oxygen supply. uhhospitals.org+2PMC+2
There are two main chamber types:
- Monoplace chambers (for one person) where the patient breathes pure oxygen directly.
- Multiplace chambers, which accommodate multiple people; they may use masks or hoods to deliver pure oxygen.
Medical / Clinically Accepted Uses
HBOT has been approved (or is strongly supported) for several conditions, including:
- Non-healing wounds (e.g. diabetic foot ulcers) inova.org+3Harvard Health+3PMC+3
- Radiation injury / radiation-induced tissue damage Harvard Health+2PMC+2
- Carbon monoxide poisoning and cyanide poisoning Harvard Health+3Johns Hopkins Medicine+3PMC+3
- Decompression sickness (in diving) / arterial gas embolism PubMed+3Johns Hopkins Medicine+3Mayo Clinic+3
- Skin grafts and flaps at risk of failure inova.org+2PMC+2
- Necrotizing soft tissue infections, gas gangrene, osteoradionecrosis, osteomyelitis, crush injuries, compromised circulation, etc. Mayo Clinic+3PMC+3PubMed+3
Emerging research also explores HBOT for neurological conditions (e.g. traumatic brain injury, stroke, cognitive decline) and chronic conditions such as Long COVID. Harvard Health+4PMC+4Yale Medicine+4
Physiological Effects & Scientific Basis
The key therapeutic mechanisms include:
- Hyperoxygenation: by increasing dissolved oxygen levels, tissues with poor perfusion can be better oxygenated
- Angiogenesis / Neovascularization: stimulation of new blood vessel growth in damaged tissue PMC+4uhhospitals.org+4PMC+4
- Reduced inflammation & edema (swelling) PMC+3uhhospitals.org+3hyperbaricmedicalsolutions.com+3
- Antimicrobial / infection control enhancement: oxygen is toxic to many anaerobic bacteria, and improved oxygenation supports immune cell function PMC+2hyperbaricmedicalsolutions.com+2
- Stem cell mobilization / regenerative signaling: HBOT may encourage release or activation of stem/progenitor cells, promoting tissue repair and regeneration hyperbaricmedicalsolutions.com+2PMC+2
- Collagen synthesis / extracellular matrix repair — important in wound healing and tissue remodeling PMC+1
Because of these effects, HBOT is seen as a kind of “boost” to the body’s natural healing processes when oxygen delivery is a limiting factor.
Safety, Risks, & Contraindications
While HBOT is relatively safe under proper supervision, some risks exist:
- Barotrauma to ears, sinuses, lungs (due to pressure changes) Cleveland Clinic+2Harvard Health+2
- Temporary vision changes (e.g., nearsightedness) in some patients after many sessions Cleveland Clinic+2PMC+2
- Oxygen toxicity: seizures (rare), lung irritation, etc., if oxygen partial pressures are too high or exposures prolonged Harvard Health+3Cleveland Clinic+3PMC+3
- Claustrophobia / anxiety in tightly enclosed chambers Cleveland Clinic+1
Contraindications or cautions include:
- Untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Some chemotherapy agents that are oxygen-sensitive
- Some types of ear or sinus disease
- Some respiratory diseases that make pressure changes risky
- Some seizure disorders or concurrent conditions that increase risk
It’s crucial that HBOT is performed in a well-regulated medical environment by trained staff using certified chambers.
What Happens During a Session?
- Pre-treatment assessment and consultation, medical history, and contraindications check
- You enter the chamber (lying down or sitting)
- Pressure is gradually increased (“compression”)
- You breathe 100% oxygen (via mask, hood, or full chamber depending on setup)
- Session may last between 60 to 90 minutes (or more depending on protocol)
- Pressure is gradually reduced (“decompression”)
- Post-session monitoring; most people can resume normal activities soon afterward
Patients sometimes experience ear pressure/popping, or a feeling of fullness, during compression/decompression—similar to airplane ascent/descent.
Choosing a Quality HBOT Center
When selecting a center, consider:
- Accreditation / certification (e.g. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society accreditation)
- Medical oversight by qualified physicians
- Safety protocols, emergency systems
- Chamber type and maintenance
- Patient testimonials and outcome data
- Transparent pricing, clear treatment plans
At Innovative HBOT, we ensure high operational standards and medically supervised protocols to maximize benefits and minimize risk.