Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, also known as HBOT, is a medical treatment that delivers 100% oxygen to a patient’s pulmonary system while they are within a pressurized hyperbaric chamber. Basically, the patient is breathing oxygen at levels far greater than that which is found at a normal room atmosphere. For patients dealing with conditions that haven’t responded adequately to conventional care, that difference in oxygen concentration is exactly what changes the biological environment the body needs to heal.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
HBOT is based on numerous laws of physics. “Henry’s Law” states that the amount of a gas dissolved in a liquid is in proportion to the pressure of the gas above the liquid, provided that no chemical action occurs. “Boyle’s Law” states that at constant temperature, the volume and the pressure of a gas are inversely proportional. This means a gas will compress proportionately to the amount of pressure exerted on it. Using these laws, HBOT allows more life-sustaining oxygen to be delivered to the tissues and organs. This increase of the partial pressure of oxygen at the cellular level accelerates the healing processes and assists in the recovery from numerous indications.
In practical terms, this means oxygen reaches areas of the body that compromised circulation simply cannot supply adequately under normal atmospheric conditions. Damaged tissue, inflamed joints, oxygen-starved brain cells, areas affected by radiation, all of them receive oxygen at concentrations that normal breathing, even breathing pure oxygen through a mask at sea level, cannot achieve.
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?
HBOT is SAFE. HBOT side effects are minimal and rarely last a long time. The most commonly reported side effect is mild ear discomfort during pressurization, similar to what you feel when a plane descends, which most patients manage easily within the first few sessions. Hyperbaric oxygen is not a cure for most indications, but it has been clearly demonstrated to dramatically increase immune capabilities, assisting patients with problems ranging from chronic wounds to complex disabilities and neurological impairment. Taking this information into account, there are currently 14 approved indications in America.
Every patient at our Zephyrhills clinic is evaluated by Medical Director Dr. Stephen M. Strait, DO before beginning sessions. No one receives a default protocol. Physician orders are written individually based on each patient’s medical history, condition, and goals.
Types of Hyperbaric Chambers: Monoplace vs Multiplace
Two types of chambers are used in clinical HBOT. A monoplace chamber is built for one person at a time and pressurizes with 100% pure oxygen directly. A multiplace chamber accommodates two or more patients simultaneously, with patients breathing pure oxygen through hoods or masks. At Hyperbaric Centers of Florida, both monoplace and multiplace chambers are available, giving patients flexibility in how they receive care. For families with young children, the multiplace option allows a parent to accompany the child inside the chamber during sessions.
FDA-Approved Indications for HBOT
The following indications are medically approved, and the cost of hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be covered by insurance when HBOT is delivered in a qualified clinical setting:
- Air or Gas Embolism
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Compromised Skin Grafts or Flaps
- Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome
- Decompression Sickness (Bends)
- Diabetic & Other Non-Healing Wounds
- Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
- Exceptional Anemia Resulting from Bleeding
- Gas Gangrene
- Intracranial Abscess
- Osteomyelitis
- Radiation Injury
- Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Thermal Burns
For qualifying patients, particularly those with diabetic foot ulcers at Wagner Grade III or higher that haven’t responded to standard wound care, Medicare Part B may cover HBOT under specific criteria. Coverage requires documented healing progress at regular intervals, which is something our clinical team monitors and tracks throughout every patient’s course of sessions.
Off-Label HBOT Indications
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may be ordered by a physician for off-label HBOT indications. We make no claims as to the efficacy for any indications other than the fourteen approved by the FDA.
That said, a growing body of peer-reviewed clinical research continues to explore hyperbaric oxygen therapy benefits across a wide range of conditions, and many patients pursue it as a complementary therapy alongside their existing care plan. Below is a list of some common off-label indications we see at our clinic:
Autism, Brain Injury, Bell’s Palsy, Cerebral Palsy, Cosmetic Surgery Recovery, Infections, Inflammations, Lyme Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Nerve Injuries, Oral Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Shingles, Severe Migraines, Sports Injury, Stroke, Tendon Injuries, Ulcerative Colitis, Venomous Snake and Spider Bites, Long COVID, Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Concussion Syndrome, RSD/CRPS
What to Expect From HBOT Treatment
Sessions typically run 60 to 90 minutes inside either a monoplace or multiplace hyperbaric chamber. The experience is straightforward. You breathe, you rest, you leave. Most patients read, sleep, or watch something during the session. Afterward there’s no recovery window. You drive home and go about your day.
The effects are cumulative. Most HBOT treatment protocols involve 20 to 40 sessions or more depending on the condition being treated. Single sessions produce temporary increases in tissue oxygen. The biological changes that matter clinically, new blood vessel formation, reduced inflammation, stem cell mobilization, build across a consistent series of sessions run regularly over weeks.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re exploring hyperbaric oxygen therapy for yourself or a family member and want to understand whether it makes sense for your specific situation, the free consultation is the right place to start. Our team reviews your history honestly and tells you what is and isn’t a realistic expectation before any sessions are scheduled.
