Preparing for Treatment
What is Medical-Grade HBOT?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a well-established treatment that has been utilized for over 100 years, with recent studies showcasing its regenerative effects and wide-ranging health benefits, including treatment for various medical conditions, brain health, anti-aging, and athletic recovery. Medical-grade hardshell HBOT enhances the body’s natural healing process by significantly increasing oxygen levels in the blood, tissues, and organs. During multiple sessions, patients breathe 100% pure oxygen (compared to room air at 21%) inside a pressurized environment. This combination of pure oxygen under pressure accelerates recovery, stimulates the growth of new blood vessels to improve blood flow and vascular functions, induces stem cell proliferation, reduces inflammation, fights infection, and enhances overall cellular repair.What conditions can be treated with HBOT?
Currently, there are 14 FDA-approved conditions for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including gas embolisms, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, crush injury, decompression sickness, non-healing wounds, and others that are treated in a hospital environment. More recently, a growing body of scientific research supports the benefits of HBOT for off-label outpatient uses such as post-surgical recovery, traumatic brain injury/concussion, chronic fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, athletic recovery, and general wellness/anti-aging. Our hyperbaric medicine team will evaluate your specific needs to determine if HBOT is right for you.Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy safe?
Yes, when administered under proper medical supervision, HBOT is considered safe. At MD Hyperbaric, your hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment is protocol-driven, backed by science, and is proven to be a safe and effective treatment option for many conditions. We prioritize safety by ensuring our staff is certified and trained, and engaging our Medical Director to oversee patient care and treatment plans. We also have an onsite Safety Director trained to manage our daily operations. Each session is carefully monitored by our certified staff, and we continually analyze new studies and clinical outcomes to update our treatment protocols to provide a safe experience for every patient.How long is each session?
Typically, most treatment sessions are approximately 60 minutes (some conditions may require up to 90 or 120 minutes). In addition to the actual treatment time, there is time required for the pressurization and depressurization of the chamber, which may add 20 minutes to the overall appointment. The exact duration will depend on your specific treatment plan and the pressure levels used, but you should plan for about 90 minutes for your visit.How many sessions will I need?
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.How should I prepare prior to a session?
Prior to treatment, please try to avoid alcohol or carbonated drinks. It’s best to avoid smoking and any other tobacco products during your treatment period, as they may interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen. This can directly affect the time it takes you to heal, and under no circumstance can you smoke 2 hours before or after a session. Otherwise, there are no restrictions for food or activity before or after your treatment. We encourage you to have healthy meals and stay hydrated.What should I wear or bring to my session?
We recommend wearing loose, comfortable, clean and odor-free clothing of any fabric. Refrain from using perfume/cologne or heavy lotions/makeup/gels or anything with an odor (including smoke/vape of any kind). No vapes, lighters or other objects. We recommend you leave jewelry at home. We have spacious locker rooms available to change, store belongings and/or shower, if desired. We provide pillows and blankets, but for your comfort you are welcome to bring your own. We can also discuss entertainment options to make your session relaxing and enjoyable.What should I expect during and after a session?
Most patients find the experience relaxing during the session. You will rest comfortably in the chamber while breathing 100% pure oxygen through an oxygen mask inside the chamber. The pure oxygen has no smell or taste. During the pressurization and depressurization phases, you may feel the change in pressure, similar to the sensation of airplane travel. Throughout the session, a trained technician will monitor you and check in to ensure your comfort and that the treatment is proceeding smoothly. Our medical grade steel chamber has 3 windows for monitoring, with internal dimensions of 7 ½ feet long and 3 ½ feet interior diameter. You may sit up or lay down in the chamber during your session. After your session, we encourage you to resume normal activities, eat, stay hydrated, and rest.Why is a HBOT treatment session called a “dive”?
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 it is an important therapy in treating divers that are experiencing “the bends”. In the context of hyperbaric, pressure is increased to levels greater than atmospheric pressure, similar to what divers experience underwater.What type of hyperbaric chamber do you use?
At MD Hyperbaric, we use the OxyHealth Fortius420, a hard-shell FDA-cleared chamber pressurized with air and capable of delivering supplemental 100% medical-grade oxygen to the patient through a mask. While some hard-shell chambers may be pressurized with oxygen (i.e. fill the entire chamber with oxygen), the OxyHealth Fortius420 delivers the same 100% oxygen to patients directly via a mask allowing for a more spacious, comfortable, and private chamber environment. The chamber also easily allows for air-breaks during the session to facilitate the therapeutic benefits of the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox. The chamber operates at pressures ranging from 1.3 to 3.0 ATA, allowing for greater oxygen absorption and enhanced therapeutic benefits. We find that most conditions require 2.0 to 2.4 ATA pressure (and some at a lower 1.5 ATA for longer durations), but each patient will be evaluated individually, and specific treatment pressures will be determined by condition, history and medical protocols. Our chamber is made of steel, has 3 windows, and is 7 ½ feet long (so you can sit or lay during your session). The Fortius420 chamber is FDA-cleared, meeting the highest safety standards, and is ideal for treating a wide range of medical conditions.What is the difference between hard-shell and soft-shell hyperbaric chambers?
Hard-shell chambers, like the ones we use at MD Hyperbaric, are capable of reaching higher pressure and delivering 100% medical-grade oxygen directly to the patient, significantly enhancing therapeutic benefits. Soft-shell chambers (or “mild” hyperbaric oxygen therapy) operate at lower pressures and do not use medical-grade oxygen, resulting in lower oxygen saturation levels. Hard-shell chambers are often preferred for medical treatments due to their superior oxygen delivery, rigorous safety testing, higher pressures, and overall effectiveness.How do I know if I’m eligible for HBOT?
Our team will assess your medical history and specific circumstances through an intake process and initial evaluation with our certified staff and Medical Director will determine your eligibility for HBOT.Do I need a referral from a doctor to receive HBOT?
No, you do not need a referral. You will complete confidential medical intake forms for review by our Medical Director and we will assess your needs and goals and then prescribe HBOT if appropriate. However, if you already have a prescription from a referring physician or healthcare provider, we encourage you to provide that and our medical team will work with your provider to confirm the best treatment plan for you. If you have serious health issues, we may suggest you obtain clearance or referral or script from you treating physician.Do you accept insurance?
No, most HBOT services are not currently covered by insurances. However, services are eligible for reimbursement through most FSA/HSA programs (we recommend you check with your plan). MD Hyperbaric is an out-of-network provider, meaning we do not submit claims to insurance providers and patients must pay out-of-pocket for treatment. Generally, there is no coverage for the conditions we treat at our center. However, if you have one of the 14 insurance approved indications for HBOT, the chance of reimbursement is good. While we do not process insurance claims directly, we can provide you with a superbill and receipt upon request, which contains all the necessary details you would need to submit a claim to your insurance provider to request reimbursement for your sessions.How much does it cost?
This is an out-of-pocket treatment and we offer a variety of pricing options designed to suit the different medical and financial needs and preferences of our patients. For flexibility, patients can opt for the pay-as-you-go plan at a per session rate. We also have several package options that offer sessions at a reduced rate when purchased upfront. Please contact us to discuss pricing and options. We accept cash, credit or check.*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.
What is Medical-Grade HBOT: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a well-established treatment for certain conditions and has been utilized for over 100 years, with recent studies highlighting its regenerative effects and wide-range health benefits for various medical conditions, anti-aging and athletic recovery. Medical-grade hardshell HBOT boosts the body’s natural healing process by significantly increasing the oxygen levels in the blood, tissues, and organs. During multiple one-hour HBOT sessions, our patients breathe 100% pure oxygen through a mask (compared to room air at 21%) inside a 7 ½ feet long pressurized steel chamber with windows. This process of combining pure oxygen under pressure accelerates recovery and promotes natural healing, stimulates the growth of new blood vessels improving blood flow and vascular functions, induces stem cell proliferation, reduces inflammation, fights infection, and enhances overall cellular repair.