What is HBOT?
What is HBOT?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a painless, non-invasive medical therapy that enhances the body’s natural healing process by breathing in 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber.
This saturates blood cells and tissues with 1,200% more oxygen than normal breathing, giving the body more fuel (oxygen) to work and recover.
This type of medical grade therapy optimizes healing at the cellular level. HBOT has become a beneficial treatment for patients, offering dynamic healing power for a variety of different medical conditions and circumstances.
The Benefits of HBOT For Your Body
Hyper-Oxygenation
Therapy sessions boost oxygen levels in the bloodstream, allowing it to reach deep into tissues, the lymphatic system, and cerebrospinal fluid. This reverses hypoxia and helps revive cells and tissues at risk of damage.
Mitochondrial Support
HBOT boosts oxygen in the bloodstream, helping mitochondria produce ATP — the main energy source for the body. By increasing oxygen levels by 1200%, HBOT supports optimal cellular energy production.
Anti-Inflammation
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy reduces swelling by calming inflammation and tightening blood vessels. Over time, it also switches off genes that drive inflammation, a major cause of aging and tissue damage.
Neo-Vascularization
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy stimulates growth of new blood vessels in the body, which increases circulation, allowing revitalized tissues to thrive even after the treatment protocol has been completed.
Antimicrobial Effect
HBOT sessions strengthen the immune system by weakening harmful bacteria, boosting natural antioxidants, and enhancing the body's ability to fight disease. It can also improve the effectiveness of certain antibiotics.
Which Conditions Can HBOT Address?
FDA-Approved, Insured Conditions
- Air and gas bubbles in blood vessels
- Anemia (severe anemia when blood transfusions cannot be used)
- Burns (severe and large burns treated at a specialized burn center)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Crush injury
- Decompression sickness (diving risk)
- Gas gangrene
- Hearing loss (complete hearing loss that occurs suddenly and without any known cause)
- Infection of the skin and bone (severe)
- Radiation injury
- Skin graft flap at risk of tissue death
- Vision loss (when sudden and painless in one eye due to blockage of blood flow)
- Wounds (non-healing, diabetic foot ulcers)
Extensively Studied Conditions, Not Yet Insured
- Athletic Recovery & Performance
Autism
Cancer Adjunct
Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Dementia
Endometriosis
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Inflammatory Autoimmune Conditions
Lyme Disease
Mold Toxicity
Musculoskeletal Care
Neuropathy
Neurosensory Hearing Loss
Post Stem Cell Therapy
Post Stroke
PRP Adjunct
The Benefits of Medical-Grade Hyperbaric
Mild Hyperbaric (Soft Chamber)
- Low-pressure zippered bags (below 1.4 ATA)
- Little to no proven therapeutic benefit
- Less than 100% oxygen purity
- Most chambers are not compliant
True Hyperbaric (Hard Chamber)
- Sessions operated at proven therapeutic benefit levels (1.5 to 3 ATA)
- Deliver 100% pure USP oxygen
- Optimize oxygen saturation
- 8x more oxygen in cells vs. normal breathing
What to Expect
Getting Started
We’ll review your medical history to determine if HBOT is right for you. No referral is needed, but we accept outside prescriptions. Our Medical Director can also provide one if appropriate.
Session Prep
Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, smoking, and tobacco during treatment, as they can interfere with healing (no smoking 2 hours before or after sessions). Eat well and stay hydrated for best results; no other restrictions apply.
What to Wear
Wear loose, comfortable layers of approved fabrics. Avoid scented products, lotions, or makeup before your session. Changing areas are available for changing into approved clothing and storing personal items.
During Session
Most patients relax while breathing 100% oxygen through a mask. You may feel pressure changes like flying or diving. A technician will monitor your session for safety and comfort.
Post-Session
After your session, resume normal activities, eat well, hydrate, and rest. Some feel results quickly; others improve gradually over time.
HBOT Protocols
Treatment plans vary by condition, ranging from a few to 40 daily sessions, with most protocols involving 10–40 to boost oxygen in cells and tissues.
Session Duration
Sessions typically last 60–90 minutes, with an additional 15–30 minutes for pressurization and depressurization. Exact timing depends on your treatment plan and pressure level.
Chamber Type
The FDA-cleared OxyHealth Fortius420 is a spacious, hardshell chamber that delivers 100% oxygen via mask at pressures from 1.3 to 3.0 ATA, with air-breaks for added therapeutic benefit.
HBOT Frequently Asked Questions
What is Treatment Like?
MD Hyperbaric utilizes the FDA-cleared Fortius420, the largest chamber on the market (91in. long 42in. diameter). Patients simply breathe normally to deliver 100% oxygen to the body while relaxing, sleeping, or reading. A typical session lasts around 80 minutes.
Is HBOT Safe
HBOT is performed under medical supervision. Although there are minor risks, like all medical treatments, when performed appropriately, HBOT is extremely safe. The risks will be discussed with you before you sign your consent form for therapy.
What are the Side Effects?
The most common side effect is barotrauma to the ears and sinuses caused by the change in pressure. To minimize this risk, patients learn techniques to clear their ears during compression. Occasionally some patients may experience changes in their vision during their treatment period. These changes are usually minor and temporary. A rare side effect is oxygen toxicity, which is caused by administering too much oxygen. At MDHyperbaric, we follow treatment protocols to avoid any such issues.
How Should Patients Prepare for Treatment
Only clean, cotton clothing is allowed in the chamber. No cosmetics, perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants, wigs, or jewelry are allowed in the chamber. Patients should give up all tobacco and nicotine products, as they interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen.
What Information Does the Technician Need To Know Prior to Treatment
- If you have any cold or flu symptoms, fever, sinus or nasal congestion, or chest congestion
- If there is a possibility that you may be pregnant
- If there has been a change in any of your medications
- If you are diabetic and did not take your insulin prior to treatment
- If you have any concerns or anxiety regarding the chamber
How are Patients Referred for Treatment?
Patients are accepted either by self referral or by physician referral. Patients are evaluated by our staff and treated based on their specific conditions.
