Breathing 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber to saturate body tissues with oxygen, promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and stimulating regenerative processes.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen at pressures greater than normal atmospheric pressure (typically 1.5-2.5 ATA) inside a specialized hyperbaric chamber. Under these conditions, blood plasma becomes supersaturated with dissolved oxygen, delivering 10-15 times more oxygen to tissues than normal breathing.
This hyperoxic state triggers a cascade of physiological responses including angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), stem cell mobilization, anti-inflammatory cytokine production, and enhanced antimicrobial activity. HBOT has established indications in wound healing, diving injuries, and carbon monoxide poisoning, and is increasingly used in integrative medicine.
Under hyperbaric conditions, oxygen dissolves in plasma at concentrations sufficient to sustain tissue oxygenation even without hemoglobin. This has several therapeutic effects: it reverses tissue hypoxia in areas with compromised circulation; it stimulates the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoting new blood vessel formation; it activates stem cell release from bone marrow; and it enhances the oxygen-dependent killing mechanisms of white blood cells.
HBOT is prescribed based on clinical evaluation. Our physicians will assess whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy is appropriate for your condition.
The patient enters the hyperbaric chamber, which is gradually pressurized. During pressurization, patients may feel fullness in the ears (similar to airplane descent), which is managed through simple equalization techniques. Once at treatment pressure, the patient breathes normally for 60-90 minutes. The chamber is then slowly depressurized. Most patients find the experience comfortable and relaxing. A typical course involves 20-40 sessions depending on the indication.
HBOT is one of the most well-studied oxygen therapies, with over 14 approved indications recognized by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). Clinical trials published in journals including The Lancet, JAMA, and Neurology support its efficacy for wound healing, neurological recovery, and immune function. Recent studies have also demonstrated benefits in post-COVID syndrome and age-related cognitive decline. HBOT is generally safe when administered according to established protocols; the most common side effects are mild barotrauma and transient myopia.
Contact our medical team to discuss whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be appropriate for your condition.
