Atlanta doctor explains hyperbaric oxygen therapy to a patient in a hospital bed

Your Complete Guide to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

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What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a non-invasive medical treatment that delivers 100% medical-grade oxygen at pressures greater than two to three times the normal atmospheric pressure. This therapy helps oxygen penetrate tissues with low blood flow or low hemoglobin, such as in diabetic feet or wounds damaged by radiation. HBOT promotes the formation of new small blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis, which helps increase blood circulation to tissues with low capillary density.

Additionally, hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes vasoconstriction, which supports the healing process of burns and crush injuries. It also enhances the immune system's effectiveness by assisting neutrophils in killing bacteria and improving the delivery of antibiotics to treat conditions like refractory osteomyelitis (bone infection).

HBOT is FDA-approved for various conditions and is considered safe when supervised by a hyperbaric medicine physician. Although there are risks, such as pressure-related injuries, HBOT is generally well-tolerated. The therapy has been in use for over 350 years, and many of its modern therapeutic indications have been employed for more than 50 years.

HBOT is delivered through either a monoplace chamber, which accommodates a single patient, or a multiplace chamber, where multiple patients are treated at once. Both types of chambers are equally effective, and the choice of which to use will depend on the treatment protocol and the patient's needs.

Understanding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Protocol

HBOT is an adjunctive therapy, meaning it should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes surgery, medications, or wound care as needed. The primary mechanism of HBOT is to saturate the blood with oxygen, which allows more oxygen to reach cells and tissues. This is particularly beneficial when blood flow is compromised. Oxygen delivered under pressure can diffuse into body tissues up to four times further than normal, improving healing time and overall recovery.
Man in Metro Atlanta getting comprehensive treatment, oxygen therapy for injured tissue.

Oxygen is essential for the cellular repair and maintenance of all bodily tissues. Normally, red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body to ensure the health and vitality of your tissues. However, when tissues are injured, they need more oxygen to heal effectively. Since red blood cells have a limited capacity to carry oxygen, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) enhances this process by allowing your blood plasma to carry additional oxygen to damaged tissues.

By placing the body under pressure and having the patient breathe 100% medical-grade oxygen, the plasma becomes saturated with oxygen, effectively delivering it to compromised tissues. These tissues may be damaged due to trauma, radiation from cancer treatments, swelling or edema, or chronic conditions like diabetic vascular disease. Under the hyperbaric environment, these tissues become hyperoxic, meaning they receive oxygen levels higher than normal.

When you're not in the hyperbaric environment, these injured tissues are hypoxic, meaning they lack sufficient oxygen. This dramatic shift in oxygen levels triggers a process called neovascularization, which promotes the growth of new blood vessels into the hypoxic tissues. This is a crucial part of the body’s natural healing process, helping the tissue regenerate more effectively.

Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

HBOT is FDA-approved for treating various conditions, one key use being carbon monoxide poisoning. By overwhelming the blood with oxygen, HBOT helps displace carbon monoxide, restoring normal function.

Other conditions treated with HBOT include chronic wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, and certain types of infections. Consult with a doctor to determine if you are a candidate for HBOT.

Our Two-Step Approach to Advanced Comprehensive Wound Care with the
Power of Hyperbaric Oxygen

Whether you’re managing the after-effects of cancer treatments like radiation burns or facing other conditions, like struggling with chronic wounds where healing has stalled, we’re here to help with our comprehensive hyperbaric oxygen therapy programs.

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Step 1
Our board-certified physicians initially diagnose and treat your wound, beginning with the appropriate procedure for your condition, such as skin grafting, stitches, surgical debridement, and wound vac.
Step 2
Our expert hyperbaric oxygen technicians administer follow-up care either in an acrylic monoplace chamber or a multiplace chamber to increase oxygen levels in your blood. These hyperbaric oxygen treatments are engineered to promote faster tissue repair on a cellular level, reduce pain and inflammation, and restore vitality to areas where traditional treatments fall short.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Benefits

HBOT provides a wide range of benefits, including:

Reduced Inflammation
It helps constrict blood vessels, reducing the fluid that causes swelling.
Antimicrobial Effects
It boosts the immune system by improving the effectiveness of antibiotics and fighting bacteria.
New Blood Vessel Growth
HBOT encourages the formation of new blood vessels, improving circulation to tissues.
Stem Cell Circulation
It increases stem cell circulation, which accelerates healing and recovery.
Mitochondria Assistance
HBOT supports mitochondrial function, improving ATP production and energy for cell repair.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Can you use an oxygen mask instead of going into a hyperbaric chamber?
What can you take into the hyperbaric chamber?
Can you get fewer HBOT treatments than the recommended 20-30 sessions?
How long does it take to reach therapeutic pressure and return to normal pressure?
Can I undergo HBOT if I have claustrophobia?
Can I use a soft chamber at home for cheap HBOT?
What are the common complications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy vs. Soft Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

One common question we receive is about the difference between hard-sided hyperbaric oxygen chambers and soft, inflatable hyperbaric chambers (often referred to as "mild hyperbarics"). At our facility, we exclusively use hard-sided chambers because they offer far greater effectiveness than inflatable chambers, even though soft chambers may seem like a more affordable alternative.

Why We Do Not Use Soft Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers

We prioritize clinical-grade solutions for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Scientific validation consistently shows that soft “mild” hyperbarics can’t offer the high-pressure capability or oxygen delivery needed for genuine medical benefits. Key reasons we avoid inflatable chambers include the following:

1. Significantly Lower Oxygen Delivery

Hard-sided chambers can deliver up to 9 times more oxygen than an inflatable bag. In fact, even a basic oxygen mask connected to an oxygen tank can deliver more oxygen than a soft hyperbaric chamber. Here's a breakdown:

  • Inflatable bags cannot generate pressure above 1.3 atmospheres (ATA).
  • When you breathe at sea level, the oxygen delivered is roughly 157mmHg (1 atmosphere x 760mmHg x 21% oxygen in the air).
  • An inflatable bag at 1.3 ATA (with 24% oxygen) only delivers about 237mmHg of oxygen.
  • A non-rebreather oxygen mask, like the ones used by paramedics, can deliver about 55% oxygen, which equals 418mmHg (1 ATA x 760mmHg x 55%).
  • In contrast, our hard-sided chambers can generate up to 3 ATA, delivering nearly 2,280mmHg of oxygen—almost ten times the amount delivered by an inflatable bag. At our typical treatment pressures (2.0 ATA to 2.4 ATA), we deliver oxygen at 1,520mmHg and 1,824mmHg, respectively—6 to 8 times the oxygen concentration of a soft chamber.

2. Scientific Evidence Supports Higher Pressures

All credible scientific studies on the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been conducted at higher pressures than those achievable with inflatable chambers. Therefore, the therapeutic benefits seen in studies cannot be extrapolated to the much lower pressures provided by soft chambers.

3. FDA Regulation and Safety Concerns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize inflatable chambers as medical devices for hyperbaric oxygen treatment. They are only approved for treating altitude sickness during transport to medical facilities, not for medical therapies like wound healing or tissue repair. For this reason, inflatable chambers are not found in reputable hospitals or medical offices.

4. Potential Risk of Infection

At pressures as low as 1.5 ATA, oxygen has a bacteriostatic effect, meaning it inhibits bacterial growth. However, because inflatable bags only generate 1.3 ATA, they cannot prevent bacterial growth. In fact, they may even foster the growth of molds, fungi, and aerobic bacteria—introducing potential health risks for users.
Man and nurse discussing effective healing via hyperbaric chamber in Atlanta hospital.

While soft or inflatable hyperbaric oxygen chambers might seem like a cost-effective option, they simply cannot match the therapeutic benefits of hard-sided chambers.

For effective healing and optimal oxygen delivery, it’s crucial to use chambers that can generate the necessary pressure to provide therapeutic levels of oxygen. Hard-sided chambers offer the highest standards of care, supported by scientific research and FDA approval.


If you think HBOT could benefit you, schedule a consultation today to learn more about how this therapy can improve your health.
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