Most concussions clear in a few weeks. Here's what new research says about the ones that don't.
Fall Sports Are Back, and So Are Concussions
Football, hockey and basketball all sit near the top of the list for sports concussions, and all three are in season through the fall. Kids are back at school and back on the field for fall sports too.
Most concussions settle within a few weeks, but some don't. A large NCAA and Department of Defense study of more than 5,000 concussions found that about 1 in 6 college athletes needed more than a month to return to play. Athletes who had stronger symptoms early on, a previous concussion, or who waited to speak up tended to take longer. Research on younger athletes suggests up to 30% have symptoms that last beyond a month.
When headaches, poor sleep, brain fog or dizziness hang on for months, doctors often call it persistent post-concussion syndrome. It's also where research on hyperbaric oxygen keeps growing. Researchers at USF Health in Tampa are now enrolling 420 veterans with lingering brain injury symptoms in a new trial that uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy to alleviate the lasting effects.
A New Look at Eight Brain Injury Studies
A review published in August 2026 pooled eight clinical trials covering 570 adults with traumatic brain injury, most of them mild. The findings suggest HBOT may support improvements in thinking, memory and sleep:
- Cognition: Pooled results pointed to better performance on thinking tasks.
- Memory: Memory scores improved across the trials reviewed.
- Sleep: Participants reported better sleep quality.
A separate 2025 study in Scientific Reports followed 47 adults with lingering symptoms after a brain injury. The hyperbaric group reported greater overall improvement, including better sleep, less anxiety, steadier balance and a stronger sense of smell.
Findings come mainly from adults with mild traumatic brain injury. Evidence for other symptoms is still limited, and results vary from person to person. HBOT is not FDA-cleared for this specific indication.
Quick Tip: Speak Up Early
In the college athlete study, playing through symptoms or waiting to report them was linked to a longer recovery. If an athlete feels foggy, dizzy or "off" after a hit, sit them out and get them checked by a physician.
Still Not Feeling Like Yourself?
If symptoms have lingered for weeks or months after a concussion, a free discovery call is an easy way to ask questions. Some patients explore HBOT as part of a broader recovery plan. Book a free discovery call or learn more about HBOT for concussions and TBI.
Sources
- Wang H, et al. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2026. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103417
- Weaver LK, et al. Scientific Reports, 2025.
Important Information
All information is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek advice from your physician or a qualified health provider regarding any medical condition or treatment. Individual results may vary. HBOT is not FDA-cleared for this specific indication.
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What Our Patients Say
Real Patients. Real Results
Post-Surgical Recovery“Getting HBOT helped me a lot with my wound healing. I noticed my scars remarkably lightened. My mood and energy levels improved as well in just three weeks of getting two sessions each week — despite my demanding work schedule, I felt like I had more energy.”Namae
Inflammatory Bowel Disease“I was prescribed HBOT by my specialist to treat a complex and traumatic issue stemming from IBD and reconstructive GI surgeries. I did a full course and absolutely saw improvement right away. The staff are amazing, very professional and caring.”Kathleen
Injury Recovery“I broke my wrist playing tennis and came to MD Hyperbaric Westchester to help speed up my recovery. After a few sessions I have felt a tremendous improvement in energy, sleep — and my doctor says my wrist is healing remarkably well.”John
Cancer Adjunct“I'm a breast cancer survivor, and after radiation near my lungs, I thought this treatment might be useful. I can feel a difference in my breathing and cognition. I definitely recommend it if your body has gone through a traumatic experience.”Aziza
Wellness“I recently began using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at MD Hyperbaric, and it's been one of the most unique and impactful wellness treatments I've explored. I was drawn in by the potential benefits for anxiety, fatigue, and overall cellular repair, but I didn't expect it to feel this restorative — and my skin is glowing too!”Olesia
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Before Your First Visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a proven treatment that enhances healing by flooding the body with oxygen. Used for over 100 years, it supports brain health, anti-aging, athletic recovery, and medical conditions by boosting oxygen in blood, tissues, and organs. Patients breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, accelerating recovery and promoting cellular repair.
HBOT is FDA-approved for 14 conditions like burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and non-healing wounds. Emerging research also supports its use for post-surgical recovery, brain injury, fatigue, inflammation, athletic recovery, and anti-aging. Our medical team will assess if HBOT is right for you.
Yes, HBOT is safe when properly supervised. At MD Hyperbaric, treatments are protocol-driven, medically overseen, and administered by certified staff. Our Medical Director and onsite Safety Director ensure every session is carefully monitored, and we continuously update our protocols based on the latest research to prioritize patient safety.
Typically, most treatment sessions are approximately 60 minutes, though some conditions may require up to 90 or 120 minutes. Pressurization and depressurization may add about 20 minutes to the appointment, so you should plan for about 90 minutes for your visit.
The number of sessions depends on the condition being treated. Some patients may benefit from a few sessions, while others may require a more extended treatment plan. A typical protocol will involve 10-40 daily sessions to build up oxygen in the cells. Our Medical Director will recommend a specific treatment plan to address your goals and needs.
Prior to treatment, please try to avoid alcohol or carbonated drinks. It is best to avoid smoking and other tobacco products during your treatment period, as they may interfere with the body's ability to transport oxygen. Otherwise, there are no restrictions for food or activity before or after your treatment. We encourage you to have healthy meals and stay hydrated.
Most patients find HBOT sessions relaxing. You will rest comfortably in a 7.5-foot-long steel chamber, breathing 100% pure oxygen through a mask. During pressurization and depressurization, you may feel pressure changes similar to airplane travel. A trained technician will monitor you throughout the session.
The term "dive" is used because the process simulates the experience of a deep-sea dive in a pressurized environment. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has deep roots in diving as an important therapy for treating divers experiencing decompression sickness.
At MD Hyperbaric, we use the FDA-cleared OxyHealth Fortius420, a spacious hard-shell chamber delivering 100% medical-grade oxygen via mask. It operates up to 3.0 ATA, allows tailored pressures, supports air breaks, and includes three windows for comfort and safety.
At MD Hyperbaric, we use hard-shell chambers that deliver 100% medical-grade oxygen at higher pressures for superior therapeutic benefits. Soft-shell chambers operate at lower pressures without medical-grade oxygen, making them less effective for medical treatment.
Our team will assess your medical history and specific circumstances through an intake process. An initial evaluation with certified staff and the Medical Director will determine your eligibility for HBOT.
No referral is needed. Our Medical Director will review your intake forms and prescribe HBOT if appropriate. If you have a prescription from a provider, we will coordinate with them. For serious health conditions, we may recommend getting clearance from your physician.
Some MD Hyperbaric centers accept insurance for certain on-label conditions — the FDA-recognized indications for which HBOT is an established standard of care. Whether insurance applies depends on your diagnosis, your plan, and the center you visit, so please contact your local center to confirm. Where insurance does not apply, HBOT is a self-pay treatment: most FSA/HSA plans allow reimbursement, and we can provide a superbill and receipt to help you submit a claim.
It depends on how you pay. For insurance-covered treatment at participating centers, your cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance — the center verifies your benefits and explains expected costs before treatment begins. For self-pay treatment, we offer a variety of pricing options designed to suit different medical and financial needs, including pay-as-you-go and package options at reduced rates when purchased upfront. Please contact us to discuss pricing and options. We accept cash, credit, or check.