The Complete Guide to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Everything You Need to Know in 2025
- Elixir Health and Wellness
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
At Elixir Health and Wellness in Bethlehem, PA, we believe in the power of evidence-based healing. This comprehensive guide answers the most common questions about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) with scientific backing.
This Complete Guide will cover the most frequently asked questions I have gotten over the last couple of years in business and will give you an in-depth starting point for everything you might want to know about doing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
Please note that at Elixir Health and Wellness we only have mild Hyperbaric Oxygen (mHBOT) chambers. This article is a deep-dive into everything-HBOT to help you on your journey figuring out what's best for you.
For the majority of my adult life I've been travelling the world collecting anecdotal evidence, reading research papers, meeting with doctors and shamans, and keeping a record of what I believe is the "elixir" of life - what is the biggest lever that I could pull with the lease amount of effort that will increase my vitality, my lifespan, and my quality of life. Oxygen, especially under pressure, seems to be one of those levers. When I settled back in the United States, I wanted to bring that technology to my community and so I opened Elixir Health and Wellness in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - steps away from the Northside Historic District, which is now also a World Heritage Site.
Keep reading to answer your most commonly asked questions! You can read the whole guide, or jump directly to the topic that's most interesting to you.
#3: Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work? The Evidence #4: Safety Profile: Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?
#5: Treatment Protocols: How Long, How Often, How Many Sessions? #6: Cost and Insurance Coverage: The Financial Reality
1: What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and How Does It Work?
HBOT stands for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - these have a chamber pressure of 1.5ATA and up. mHBOT stands for mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - these have a chamber pressure of 1.3ATA - 1.5ATA.
I will use HBOT as the term to encompass both for the sake of simplifying readability in this article - and I will specify if something only applies to one or the other.
Both HBOT and mHBOT are treatments that involves breathing elevated levels of oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Think of it as giving your body's healing mechanisms a supercharged boost.
Here's the science: Under normal conditions, oxygen is transported throughout your body via red blood cells. But in a hyperbaric chamber, the increased pressure allows oxygen to dissolve directly into your plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and lymphatic system. This creates oxygen concentrations up to 15-20 times higher than normal atmospheric levels!
The Mechanisms Behind Hyperbaric Healing Power
The therapy works through several key mechanisms:
Enhanced Oxygen Delivery: Increased atmospheric pressure (typically 1.3-3.5 times normal) forces more oxygen into your bloodstream and tissues, reaching areas with compromised blood flow.
Angiogenesis Stimulation: HBOT promotes the formation of new blood vessels, improving long-term circulation to damaged tissues. Studies show this process can increase capillary density by up to 40%.
Reduced Inflammation: The therapy modulates inflammatory responses, helping to control harmful inflammation while preserving beneficial healing responses.
Antimicrobial Effects: High oxygen concentrations create an environment hostile to anaerobic bacteria and enhance white blood cell function.
2: What Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Do? Conditions and Applications
HBOT in the United States has FDA approval for 14 specific conditions, including:
Air or Gas Embolism: Presence of air or gas bubbles in blood vessels.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Poisoning by carbon monoxide.
Decompression Sickness: A diving-related condition caused by rapid ascent.
Crush Injury and Compartment Syndrome: Injuries resulting from crushing or compression of body parts, impacting blood flow.
Gas Gangrene: Severe infection of the muscles caused by bacteria.
Severe Anemia: Conditions where the blood lacks sufficient red blood cells.
Thermal Burns: Burns caused by heat.
Radiation Tissue Injury: Damage to tissues caused by radiation.
Skin Grafts and Flaps at Risk of Tissue Death: Problems with skin grafts or flaps that are at risk of not healing properly.
Refractory Osteomyelitis: Chronic infection of the bone.
Non-healing Wounds: Diabetic foot ulcers and other difficult-to-heal wounds.
Infection of Skin and Bone (Severe): Severe infections of the skin and bone.
Sudden Vision Loss (Painless): Vision loss in one eye due to blocked blood flow.
Sudden Hearing Loss: Sudden, complete hearing loss without a known cause.
All of the FDA approved conditions are specifically for HBOT (2.0ATA+), except decompression sickness which can use mHBOT (1.3ATA+).
Emerging Applications: What Research Shows
While traditional uses of HBOT are well-established, there's emerging evidence for its benefits in conditions like long-COVID, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and chronic fatigue syndrome - in the U.S. these are called off-label conditions. The majority of these off-label conditions can potentially be treated with either mHBOT or HBOT.
In Europe and especially in Russia, there are over 40 approved and covered conditions that are treated using HBOT. In countries like Japan and China, there are over 60 approved conditions. Some of these include:
Brain Injury Recovery: Studies suggest HBOT may help with traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery by reducing brain swelling and promoting neuroplasticity. Other conditions include brain fog, concussions, dementia, Alzheimer's, poor quality sleep and more. A 2020 systematic review found modest improvements in cognitive function, though more research is needed.
Stroke Recovery: Research indicates HBOT may improve outcomes when used within specific time windows post-stroke, potentially extending the therapeutic window for intervention. The best results it seems have been found in people within a 6 month window of being cleared for rehabilitation.
Wound Healing: The therapy significantly accelerates healing in wounds by enhancing collagen synthesis and fighting infection. This could be especially useful for cosmetic procedures. Success rates for diabetic ulcers range from 70-85% in clinical studies.
3: Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work? The Evidence
The short answer: Yes.
For approved conditions (HBOT), the effectiveness varies by condition:
Diabetic foot ulcers: 70-85% healing rate
Radiation cystitis: 80-90% improvement rate
Carbon monoxide poisoning: Significantly reduces neurological sequelae
Sudden hearing loss: 50-60% improvement when used within 90 days
For off-label uses, evidence is more limited but growing. Always consult healthcare providers about realistic expectations for your specific condition. We offer free 15-minute phone consultations if you want to discuss your specific situation.
4: Safety Profile: Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe?
HBOT is generally considered safe when administered properly. However, like any medical treatment, it carries some risks:
Common Side Effects (Mild and Temporary):
Ear discomfort or pressure
Temporary vision changes
Fatigue
Claustrophobia
Sinus congestion
Rare but Serious Complications:
Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) - occurs in less than 1% of cases
Oxygen toxicity - extremely rare with proper protocols
Barotrauma to ears or sinuses
Most Common Complication: Barotrauma to the middle ear, occurring in about 2% of patients. This is usually mild and resolves quickly.
5: Treatment Protocols: How Long, How Often, How Many Sessions?
Protocols are going to vary significantly depending on your needs. An athlete looking for an energy boost may require 1 session, while someone looking to improve brain fog may require 20 sessions. Some clients may see improvements coming in twice a month, while others need twice a day.
If you want to discuss your specific needs before booking a session at Elixir Health and Wellness, we offer a free 15-minute consultation. Please note, we are a wellness center and not a medical facility, so we do not and can not provide general medical consultations.
Typical Treatment Schedule:
Session Length: 60-120 minutes
Frequency: 1-5 days per week (Monday-Friday)
Total Sessions: Varies by condition (examples below)
Energy boost: 1-5 sessions
Cosmetic procedure: 5-10 sessions
Athlete off-season: 10-20 sessions
Long-COVID: 20-40 sessions
Lyme inflammation: 20-40 sessions
Brain injury: 40-80 sessions
Anti-aging: 20-80 sessions
What to Expect During Treatment:
Our mHBOT chambers feel like a very spacious bubble, tent, or 1st class airplane seat. You'll experience ear pressure similar to flying in an airplane during compression and decompression. Most clients read, catch up with friends, do emails, watch movies, listen to music, or sleep during sessions.
6: Cost and Insurance Coverage: The Financial Reality
Typical Costs:
Per session: $80-$500
Complete treatment course: $80-$20,000
Facility type affects pricing: Hospital-based and insurance covered tends to be more expensive than standalone clinics. HBOT will be more expensive than mHBOT.
Insurance Coverage:
Medicare: Covers HBOT for FDA-approved conditions when medical necessity is established and treatment is provided in approved facilities.
Private Insurance: Coverage varies significantly by provider and condition. Pre-authorization is typically required.
What's Usually Covered:
Diabetic foot wounds
Radiation tissue damage
Decompression sickness
Carbon monoxide poisoning
What's Rarely Covered:
Brain injury rehabilitation
Lyme disease
Anti-aging applications
Most off-label uses
All of the services at Elixir Health and Wellness is HSA/FSA eligible, but we do not take any other forms of insurance. We do not have any HBOT protocols that are for FDA-approved conditions and would be covered by insurance. If you have this benefit, it's worth asking your clinic about coverage.
7: Who Can Administer HBOT?
HBOT must be administered under medical supervision. Requirements include:
Physician oversight: A doctor trained in hyperbaric medicine
Certified technicians: Operators certified in chamber safety and protocols
Proper facility: Accredited hyperbaric facility with emergency protocols
mHBOT is a lower-risk treatment so provider training is not guaranteed. It's important to ask the provider what their experience is with HBOT and how they developed their protocols - if you don't trust the provider, use common sense following their advice.
At Elixir Health and Wellness, we developed our initial protocols alongside a leading Hyperbaric Medicine specialist, and have been perfecting them under a clinical setting based on real results from real clients. We read the latest research and attend conferences to stay ahead of the curve and provide you the highest quality of care. We also refer out for certain medical conditions that we either do not understand, or cannot help with. Your safety and comfort are our top priority.
8: At-Home Hyperbaric Chambers: Mild HBOT Options
Mild Hyperbaric Chambers, also known as Soft Chambers, are the primary home use options:
Pressure: 1.3-1.5 ATA (compared to 2.0-3.0 ATA in clinical settings)
Oxygen: Either atmospheric or concentrated oxygen via mask (not pure oxygen environment)
Cost: $3,000-$30,000 for purchase, $500-$3,500/month for rental
When purchasing a chamber, make sure the company is trustworthy - the last thing you want is a unit that unglues at the seams on your first use without a return option.
Rental Requirements:
Physician prescription typically required
Training on safe operation
Some companies require liability waivers
Regular maintenance and safety checks
Effectiveness Comparison:
Mild HBOT provides benefits but is less potent than clinical HBOT. Research shows positive effects for certain conditions, but outcomes can be less dramatic than clinical treatments. Some clients with medical needs could get a HBOT unit up to 2.0 installed in the home, but those units are significantly more expensive and require supervision.
If you're interested in purchasing an at-home unit, we can connect you with a company we trust - just use the Contact Us form.
9: Should You Try Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
You could consider HBOT if you have:
An FDA-approved condition
Chronic wounds not responding to conventional treatment
Radiation tissue damage
Specific neurological conditions where evidence supports use
You could consider mHBOT if you are:
Interested in biohacking, longevity, and anti-aging
An athlete (weekend, pro, or hobby)
Experiencing brain fog from any kind of condition
Interested in alternative or holistic treatments
Red flags (don't use HBOT if you have):
Untreated pneumothorax
Certain lung conditions
Uncontrolled high fever
Certain medications that interact with high oxygen
It's important to do your research, ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable, and book at facilities that you trust.
mHBOT at Elixir Health and Wellness
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy represents a powerful tool in modern medicine's healing arsenal. While not a miracle cure, it offers genuine benefits for many conditions backed by solid scientific evidence.
At Elixir Health and Wellness in Bethlehem, PA, we provide evidence-based HBOT treatments in a comfortable, professional environment. We ensure safe, effective treatment protocols tailored to your specific needs.
Was this Complete Guide to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helpful? Have you used HBOT before? Leave a comment below with your thoughts!
Ready to explore if mHBOT is right for you? Contact our team for a free consultation. We'll review your medical history, discuss realistic expectations, and create a personalized treatment plan based on the latest scientific evidence.
IMPORTANT MEDICAL DISCLAIMER The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER before starting any new treatment, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, compression therapy or red light therapy. Only qualified healthcare professionals can determine if these treatments are appropriate for your specific medical condition. INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY. The outcomes described in research studies and testimonials may not be typical and cannot be guaranteed for any individual. TREATMENT DECISIONS should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider based on your individual medical history, current health status, and specific needs. INSURANCE COVERAGE information provided is general in nature and may not reflect your specific policy benefits. Always verify coverage directly with your insurance provider. NO DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP is created by reading this content. This information does not replace the need for proper medical evaluation and care. The content has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Elixir Health and Wellness encourages you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and in partnership with qualified healthcare professionals. Last updated: May 23, 2025
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