What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Complete FAQ Guide for HBOT in the UK

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment where you enter a pressurized chamber and breathe almost pure oxygen (93-95% concentration) while atmospheric pressure increases to 2-3 times normal sea level pressure. This combination allows your body to absorb 7-16 times more oxygen than normal breathing, which dissolves directly into blood plasma [1][2][7] and reaches every cell in your body.

When your cells receive this flood of oxygen under controlled pressure, your natural healing mechanisms accelerate 3-5 times faster than normal [8][9][10]. HBOT originated in NASA's space program [8] and has been clinically used for over 50 years [4][26]. Today it's recognized both as a medical treatment for specific conditions and as a performance-enhancing tool for athletes and wellness seekers.

The core principle: Your cells heal faster with abundant oxygen. Your body wants to heal - it just needs the right conditions. HBOT provides those conditions, allowing your immune system and cellular regeneration to work at peak efficiency.

Learn more: What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Complete 2025 Guide

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Understanding HOW HBOT works helps you appreciate why it's so effective. The process follows a proven mechanism that optimizes oxygen delivery at the cellular level.

Step 1: Chamber Pressurization (5 minutes)

You enter the chamber in a comfortable seated or reclined position. The chamber gradually pressurizes to your therapeutic level - typically 1.4-2.5 ATA (atmospheres absolute) [1][6][7]. This gradual pressurization mimics safe diving protocols and allows comfortable adaptation.

Step 2: Oxygen Delivery (10-15 minutes)

Medical-grade oxygen (93-95% concentration) is delivered through oxygen concentrators - the same hospital-grade equipment [7] used in COVID wards. These devices concentrate ambient air to therapeutic oxygen levels.

Step 3: Plasma Oxygen Saturation (Key Difference)

The combination of high oxygen and increased pressure forces oxygen molecules to dissolve directly into blood PLASMA, not just hemoglobin. This plasma-dissolved oxygen reaches areas with poor circulation that hemoglobin alone might miss. Your blood becomes oxygen-rich throughout.

Step 4-6: Healing Cascade (Entire session)

With oxygen flooding your cells, your body's healing mechanisms activate at maximum efficiency. Collagen production increases [10][13], white blood cell activity enhances, growth factors activate, and anti-inflammatory responses strengthen [8][10]. This cascade of healing is why HBOT accelerates recovery 3-5 times faster.

Decompression (10 minutes)

Pressure gradually reduces back to sea level. You exit refreshed and ready to continue your day.

ATA (atmospheres absolute) measures pressure relative to sea level. Different pressure levels deliver dramatically different oxygen absorption [1][6][7]:

Our recommendation: 2.0 ATA is ideal for most users. It balances therapeutic oxygen absorption, session time, and clinical effectiveness.

Explore chambers: View 2.0 ATA options

Still unsure? Which pressure level for me?

Yes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely safe. HBOT has an excellent safety record spanning 50+ years of clinical use with less than 1% serious adverse event rate [4][15][16][26].

Common Side Effects (Mild, Temporary): Most users experience no side effects. Those who do report mild effects that typically resolve within 3-5 sessions:

• Ear barotrauma (mild pressure sensation): 10-15% of first-time users, resolves via equalization techniques. [17][18]

• Temporary sinus pressure: 5-8% of users, resolves during session. [17][18]

• Slight fatigue after session: 20-30% of first-time users, usually resolves by session 3. [17][18]

• Dry mouth/throat: 8-12% of users, resolves post-session. [17][18]

Rare Serious Complications (<1%): Oxygen toxicity (seizure/disorientation): <1 in 10,000 sessions, easily prevented with professional protocols. [18][22]

Safety Comparison:

HBOT compares favorably to other medical procedures. Serious adverse event rate is less than oral pain medication (2-5% serious events) and comparable to steroid injections (2-4% serious events). [15][16][26]

Get reassurance: Chat with our safety expert

While HBOT is safe for most people, certain medical conditions or medications require medical clearance before starting treatment [25][27][37]. This transparency is important because we want you to have safe, effective therapy.

Absolute Contraindications (Medical Review Required): If you have any of the following, discuss with your doctor before HBOT - treatment may still be possible with medical approval:

1. Uncontrolled Seizure Disorder

• Why: Seizures + pressure/oxygen changes require medical oversight.

• Option: May proceed with neurologist clearance and proper medication management.

• Action: Get medical clearance before booking.

2. Severe Claustrophobia

• Why: Chamber environment may trigger panic attacks; psychological safety matters.

• Option: Larger multi-person chambers available; shorter sessions with breaks possible.

• Action: Discuss your fears with us; we have solutions.

3. Untreated Upper Respiratory Infection or Severe Sinusitis [25][26]

• Why: Pressure changes + blocked sinuses can cause pressure-related injury.

• Option: Wait 1-2 weeks after infection clears; sinusitis treatment first.

• Action: Reschedule after recovery; don't start treatment while sick.

4. History of Thoracic (Lung) Surgery [25][26]

• Why: Lung rupture risk with pressure changes if pre-existing weakness.

• Option: May proceed with surgical clearance and specialist approval.

• Action: Get surgical clearance letter from your surgeon.

Medications That Require Screening: Certain medications interact with HBOT oxygen or increase risk. [25][26] Review required:

• Chemotherapy agents (some increase oxygen toxicity risk)

• Disulfiram (Antabuse) for alcohol dependence (can interfere with HBOT benefit)

• Cisplatin (chemotherapy drug)

• Steroids at high doses (discuss timing with doctor)

This doesn't mean you can't have HBOT - it means discussing timing and coordination

with your doctor.

Temporary Restrictions (Wait & Reschedule): These conditions warrant delaying HBOT temporarily:

• Active Upper Respiratory Infection: Wait 1-2 weeks until cleared

• High Fever: Wait until fever-free for 24 hours

• Recent Ear Surgery: Wait per surgeon's recommendations

• Alcohol Intoxication: No HBOT while intoxicated

• Recent Dental Work: Wait per dentist's recommendations

These restrictions exist for your safety and effective treatment.

Medical Conditions Requiring Pre-Approval: These conditions need medical discussion before starting, but HBOT is usually possible with clearance:

• Diabetes (blood sugar management during treatment)

• High blood pressure (pressure changes consideration)

• Heart conditions (cardiovascular monitoring)

• Asthma (oxygen concentration impact)

• Anxiety disorders (psychological support)

Don't Self-Screen - Get Proper Clearance

Most people can have HBOT safely. Screening exists to identify the small percentage needing medical coordination. Don't be discouraged by screening questions - they exist to ensure your safety and treatment effectiveness.

Still unsure if HBOT is Right for You? Get personalized medical screening

Yes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is FDA-approved for 14+ specific medical indications [26][29][30]. For these 14 indications, HBOT has passed rigorous FDA testing and clinical

trial requirements, proving both safety and effectiveness. These include:

1. Air/Gas Embolism (gas bubbles in blood)

2. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (including smoke inhalation)

3. Clostridial Myonecrosis (gas gangrene)

4. Crush Injury and Compartment Syndrome

5. Decompression Sickness (the "bends")

6. Diabetic Lower Extremity Wounds (specific types) [13][14][26][29]

7. Exceptional Blood Loss Anemia

8. Intracranial Abscess

9. Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

10. Osteomyelitis (bone infection)

11. Compromised Grafts and Flaps

12. Radiation Tissue Damage (radiation necrosis)

13. Refractory Osteomyelitis

14. Thermal Burns (major, severe burns)

Off-Label Uses with Strong Research Support: Many conditions don't appear on the FDA-approved list but have substantial clinical evidence:

• Long COVID: Emerging strong research with multiple clinical trials underway. [17][20][21]

• Athletic injury recovery: Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies support effectiveness. [19]

• Chronic pain and fibromyalgia: Substantial research evidence. [8][10][11]

• Wound healing: Extensive clinical support. [12][13][14]

• Anti-aging and Wellness: Growing research base.

Clinical Evidence Quality: The research supporting HBOT is rigorous - randomized controlled trials, large sample sizes [12][13][14], long-term follow-up data, and replication across independent institutions.

Both FDA-approved and research-supported uses have strong evidence. FDA approval

just means formal testing completed; research-supported means clinical evidence

exists even if formal FDA trials haven't concluded.

Where to Find Clinical Evidence: Want to review the science yourself?

• NIH Clinical Trials Database: Search "hyperbaric oxygen therapy"

• Cochrane Database: Systematic reviews on HBOT effectiveness

• PubMed Research: 5,000+ peer-reviewed studies on HBOT

• Medical Journal Databases: JAMA, Lancet, NEJM articles on HBOT applications

Professional Medical Organizations Endorsing HBOT:

• Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS): Official medical standards

• American Medical Association (AMA): Recognizes HBOT in medical guidelines

• FDA Official HBOT Indications: Approves for 14+ specific indications

• NIH: Funds ongoing HBOT research

These organizations don't endorse ineffective treatments.

Before Session (10 min briefing):

• Eat normally (take all prescribed medications)

• Wear comfortable, natural fiber clothing

• Avoid smoking 1 hour before [26][31][34][35][36]

• Blood pressure check (standard screening)

During Session (60-90 minutes total):

• Pressurization (5 min): Mild pressure sensation similar to airplane descent [8][9]. You'll equalize your ears naturally.

• Treatment (60-75 min): Relaxation phase. You can read, watch videos, or sleep. The healing is working silently at cellular level. [8][9][24][26]

• Depressurization (10 min): Gradual pressure reduction. Comfortable, gentle process.

After Session: Exit feeling refreshed. Slight fatigue possible (normal first session). No restrictions - return to normal activities immediately.

Timeline to Results:

• Acute injuries/post-surgery: 5-10 sessions show visible improvement. [8][10][13][24]

• Chronic wounds: 2-3 weeks (10-15 sessions) for significant healing. [12][13][14]

• Chronic conditions: 4-6 weeks (20-30 sessions) for noticeable improvement. [8][10][24]

• Athletic recovery: 3-7 sessions for performance improvement. [19]

• Anti-aging/wellness: 10-20 sessions for visible benefits. [11][24]

Ready to start? Book your first session

Standard Protocol:

• Typical session: 60-90 minutes

• Frequency: 5 days per week (Monday-Friday) [26]

• Complete treatment course: 20-60 sessions depending on condition. [8][10][24]

• Maintenance: 1-2 monthly sessions after initial course [26]

By Condition:

Your concentrator can support back-to-back sessions without tank changes - a major

advantage of home chambers versus clinic-based therapy.