Get Your Free Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Information Guide

What Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Is and How It Works

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment where a person breathes pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The chamber increases air pressure to levels higher than normal atmospheric pressure. This allows the lungs to gather more oxygen than they would breathing oxygen at normal air pressure. The body then distributes this extra oxygen throughout the bloodstream to tissues that need healing.

The therapy typically takes place in a chamber that looks like a large tube or cylinder. Some chambers hold one person (monoplace chambers), while others can hold multiple people at once (multiplace chambers). During a session, the patient lies or sits inside while the chamber is gradually pressurized. Sessions usually last between 90 minutes and 2 hours. The pressure is then slowly decreased before the patient leaves the chamber.

Medical professionals have used hyperbaric oxygen therapy since the 1600s, though modern medical applications developed more significantly in the 20th century. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved HBOT for specific medical conditions. According to the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, there are currently 14 conditions with evidence supporting HBOT treatment, though research continues on other potential applications.

The science behind HBOT relates to how oxygen helps cells repair and fight infection. When tissues don't receive enough oxygen (hypoxia), they struggle to heal. Increased oxygen pressure can reach areas with poor blood flow and promote new blood vessel growth. This process, called angiogenesis, helps restore circulation to damaged tissues. The therapy may also reduce swelling and help the body fight certain types of bacteria.

Practical takeaway: Understanding the basic mechanics of HBOT helps you grasp why medical professionals recommend it for specific conditions. The therapy works through physical principles—increased pressure allows more oxygen absorption—rather than through medication.

Conditions That May Benefit From Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society maintains a list of conditions with established medical evidence for HBOT treatment. These include diabetic foot ulcers, which affect approximately 15% of people with diabetes at some point in their lives. Diabetic wounds often heal slowly because high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves. HBOT helps by delivering oxygen to tissues that have reduced blood flow, potentially preventing amputation in severe cases.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is another FDA-approved indication for HBOT. When someone breathes carbon monoxide, it binds to hemoglobin in the blood more readily than oxygen does. This prevents oxygen from reaching tissues. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps remove carbon monoxide from the blood faster and restores normal oxygen delivery. Studies show that early HBOT treatment within 6-12 hours of poisoning exposure may prevent long-term neurological complications.

Radiation injury represents another condition where HBOT shows benefit. When people receive radiation therapy for cancer, the radiation can damage blood vessels in the treated area, leading to tissue death years or even decades later. This delayed effect can cause wounds that won't heal. HBOT stimulates new blood vessel formation in these areas, which can help tissues recover. The therapy may be recommended before or after radiation-related complications develop.

Other conditions with FDA approval for HBOT include:

• Chronic wounds and non-healing ulcers from various causes
• Severe anemia when blood transfusions aren't possible
• Bone infections (osteomyelitis) that haven't responded to other treatments
• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
• Air or gas embolism (air bubbles in blood vessels)
• Decompression sickness (the "bends" in divers)
• Thermal burns
• Crush injuries and compartment syndromes

Researchers continue studying HBOT for other conditions like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and autism spectrum disorder. However, scientific evidence remains limited or mixed for these applications. Your healthcare provider can discuss whether HBOT might be suitable for your specific medical situation based on current medical evidence.

Practical takeaway: HBOT has proven effectiveness for specific medical conditions approved by the FDA. If you have a chronic wound, radiation injury, or other condition on this list, discussing HBOT with your doctor provides a starting point for understanding treatment options.

What to Expect During and After Treatment Sessions

Before beginning HBOT, you'll have a medical evaluation. Healthcare providers need to understand your complete medical history, current medications, and any conditions that might affect safety. They'll discuss what to bring (usually comfortable, cotton clothing) and what to avoid (no petroleum-based products, which are flammable in the oxygen-rich environment). You may need blood work and other tests depending on your specific health situation.

During your first session, the staff will explain the pressurization process step by step. You'll feel pressure in your ears similar to what happens during airplane takeoff. Most people manage this by swallowing, yawning, or using the Valsalva maneuver (pinching your nose and gently blowing). If ear pressure becomes uncomfortable, the technician can slow the pressurization or pause briefly. This equalization process is important for your comfort and safety.

Once fully pressurized, you'll breathe the pure oxygen for the prescribed time period. In a monoplace chamber, you're alone, which some people find relaxing. Others feel anxious in enclosed spaces. Multiplace chambers allow other patients or staff to be present, which some people prefer. Many facilities provide entertainment like movies, music, or books to make the time pass. Most people report feeling calm or even falling asleep during treatment.

After treatment, the chamber is slowly depressurized, gradually returning to normal air pressure. This gradual process prevents complications. You may feel slightly tired after a session, similar to mild fatigue from exercise. Most people can resume normal activities immediately, though some prefer to rest. You'll typically attend multiple sessions—often 30-40 treatments for conditions like diabetic foot ulcers—scheduled several times per week over several weeks or months.

Side effects are generally mild. Some people experience temporary ear or sinus discomfort, mild headache, or feel fatigued. More rarely, people may experience oxygen toxicity symptoms like nausea or dizziness if they're sensitive to high oxygen levels. Serious complications are uncommon in properly supervised medical settings. Your healthcare team will monitor you for any concerning symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.

Practical takeaway: Knowing the step-by-step process helps reduce anxiety about starting HBOT. The treatment typically feels manageable, though individual experiences vary. Communication with your medical team about any discomfort ensures they can help make treatment more comfortable.

Finding HBOT Services and Understanding Treatment Settings

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is available in various medical settings across the country. Hospital-based programs represent the most common location, with many larger hospitals maintaining hyperbaric medicine departments. These facilities have the advantage of being part of comprehensive medical centers where your primary care doctor and specialists can coordinate your treatment. Hospital programs often have 24-hour availability for emergency conditions like decompression sickness or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Wound care centers and specialty clinics also offer HBOT as part of integrated wound healing programs. These centers may focus specifically on chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers, and radiation injuries. According to the Underscore and Hyperbaric Medical Society, there are approximately 2,000+ hyperbaric facilities in the United States. Many wound care centers combine HBOT with other treatments like advanced wound dressings, vascular studies, and infection management.

Freestanding hyperbaric clinics operate independently of hospitals and may specialize in particular conditions. These facilities often have more flexible scheduling and may be convenient if you need frequent treatments. When considering any facility, you'll want to verify that it maintains proper medical oversight and that physicians supervise treatment protocols.

Finding a facility near you can start with asking your primary care physician for referrals. Many doctors have established relationships with nearby hyperbaric programs. You can also contact your nearest hospital and ask whether they operate a hyperbaric medicine department. Insurance companies sometimes maintain provider directories that show which facilities participate in your specific plan. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society website includes a directory of member facilities, though not all