Written by Mike Price, OT
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are vessels in which patients breathe pure oxygen at pressures up to three times greater than normal atmospheric pressure.
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers were originally used to treat deep-sea divers suffering from decompression illness, but have experienced a rise in popularity as the ongoing benefits of hyperbaric treatment continue to be discovered.
Although oxygen therapy may still be a novelty to many, the concept is certainly not new. Documentation shows that breathing hyperbaric oxygen as therapy has been around for nearly 350 years. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s that clinical use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy started. Decades later, the military successfully developed and tested hyperbaric chambers for purposes related to deep-sea diving and aeronautics.
In a complex and sometimes crowded marketplace, however, it can be difficult to research and choose the right hyperbaric chamber for your needs.
Whether you're a medical professional looking to add to your facility, an individual looking for the right home hyperbaric chamber, or just beginning your dive into hyperbaric research, RehabMart’s Introduction to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy wants to equip you with the knowledge to successfully navigate your journey.
For a deeper dive, (*pun intended*) check out Rehabmart's Ultimate Guide to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that entails the use of oxygen at increased pressures for therapeutic purposes. The treatment is administered in hyperbaric chambers, and usually involves the circulation of pure oxygen.
What is the difference between hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT)?
The difference is simple and boils down to the level of oxygen in the pressurized chamber environment.
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT) generally involves a pressure protocol up to 1.3 ATA (or 4 PSI). This pressure increase is mild and is only slightly greater than what is experienced at sea level.
High-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves pressure above 1.5 ATA, and it contains a substantially greater percentage of oxygen than ambient air. Users may achieve different levels of atmospheric pressure depending on the type of hyperbaric chamber utilized. Types of HBOT chambers include monoplace and multiplace chambers, which we will discuss in the sections to come.
How does hyperbaric therapy work?
Hyperbaric technology involves increasing the air pressure inside of the hyperbaric chamber, enabling the body to absorb more oxygen per volume of compressed air.
Normally, the human body transports breathable oxygen through the bloodstream. Oxygen is carried in the hemoglobin of red blood cells. When an individual inhales pressurized air containing a higher concentration of oxygen, that oxygen is also driven into the body’s fluids, where it intensely saturates the tissues and organs.
This increased pressure can also send oxygen to the hard-to-reach places in the body, including areas of injury aggravated by damaged circulation. An example of this would be in the event of a stroke, where blood and oxygen are hindered from reaching important sections of the brain.
How often do most people receive HBOT treatment?
The frequency of usage varies, and is largely dependant on a doctor’s assessment of the user’s medical background and the user’s desired treatment outcome.
What is the difference between hard hyperbaric chambers and soft hyperbaric chambers?
Hard hyperbaric chambers are typically made of steel, and they are most commonly found in a hospital or clinical environment. Soft chambers (mHBOT) are made of canvas material, and they are usually purchased by private individuals for their portability, compact size, and ease of use.
What pieces and parts are sold with hyperbaric chambers?
All of Rehabmart’s mild HBOT Chambers are shipped with the internal wire frame, air compressors, and an internal mattress.
Essentially, the chamber will arrive with all required components necessary for full chamber operation.
Oxygen concentrators are sold separately and require a prescription.
Is there a chamber available to accommodate larger adults?
This depends on the individual’s size and comfort preferences. The hyperbaric chambers for sale on Rehabmart.com come in a variety of internal diameters, so it is important to reference the size of the chamber you are considering for purchase.
How do I clean my hyperbaric chamber?
It is always best to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations; however, most chambers can be wiped down inside and out with a damp cloth. Cleaning works best with a mild hypoallergenic soap and water mixture.
Do not use bleach or harsh chemicals on the chamber bladder. Dry chamber after cleaning.
Any chamber covers may be laundered according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Will a hyperbaric chamber always be filled with 100% pure oxygen?
Yes and no.
Mild hyperbaric chambers (mHBOT) are inflated to their operating pressure using ambient air. The 100% pure oxygen will always be delivered via mask or cannula in a soft hyperbaric chamber.
Hard hyperbaric chambers can also administer 100% pure oxygen via face mask or nasal cannula (while the chamber is pressurized with ambient air).
Conversely, only medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen chambers are pressurized with 100% pure oxygen. Medical grade HBOT chambers may only be operated by specially trained technicians working under the supervision of a physician, as this method has many safety hazards.
What conditions is hyperbaric oxygen therapy used to treat?
The following is a list of all FDA-approved uses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy:
Hyperbaric therapy is also frequently used for the following off-label uses, which has not been cleared by the FDA:
How long does an HBOT session last?
Users can expect the entire hyperbaric session to last around 90 minutes, although the first session may take longer.
Pressurizing and depressurizing the chamber takes about 15 minutes, and the chamber is steadily pressurized for approximately one hour during the treatment.
Keep in mind that the duration and frequency depend on the user's health condition and goal for HBOT treatment. Consult with your doctor to determine how long you should use the chamber.
How does air inside the hyperbaric chamber stay fresh?
Air is filtered and ventilated continuously to minimize any “stuffiness” during the session.
Are hyperbaric chambers comfortable?
Quite. Hyperbaric chambers are well ventilated, and users are allowed to wrap themselves in a blanket if they become cold.
Most treatment centers will request that patients avoid wearing scented perfumes or deodorants prior to treatment, in addition to abstaining from smoking prior to the procedure.
What can I do to prepare for my first hyperbaric therapy session?
It is advisable to wear comfortable, loose clothing, as tight garments may contribute to a claustrophobic feeling.
Patients may also wish to bring some form of entertainment. Depending on the hospital or clinic, you may be allowed to bring a book, movie, or portable game into the chamber with you, as sessions typically last beyond 60 minutes.
If bringing outside material into the chamber is not allowed, patients may have the option to watch some form of television on a device located just beyond the hyperbaric chamber.
Keep in mind that patients may experience mild discomfort in their ears, as one would during the ascending part of a commercial flight. Fatigue after your first few sessions is not uncommon and should be temporary.
Related: 8 Ways to Prepare for your First Hyperbaric Therapy Session
Are hyperbaric chambers soundproof?
Most are not; however, the sound made by air compressors may help mask outside noise and translate as soothing white noise.
What does mHBOT stand for?
mHBOT stands for Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. It is different from high-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy due to the lower level of both atmospheric pressure and oxygen delivered to the bloodstream.
What is a “dive”?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy began as a treatment for the bends, also referred to as decompression sickness. This condition occurs when deep-sea divers ascend for the surface too quickly, not giving the now-pressurized gases trapped in tissues and joints adequate time to expand and safely re-enter the bloodstream.
At times, a hyperbaric treatment session is called a ‘dive’ in reference to this early use.
An oxygen concentrator: what is it, and how is it used?
Ambient air (i.e., the air that's around us) consists of approximately 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen and other gases.
Basically, an oxygen concentrator is a medical device that administers 100% pure oxygen to the user. An oxygen concentrator pulls in ambient air, filters it, and compresses it to a required density; then it's delivered to the user, typically via a face mask or nasal cannula.
Note that an oxygen concentrator always requires a doctor's prescription.
Monoplace Hyperbaric Chambers
Monoplace hyperbaric chambers are designed to accommodate only one user.
Monoplace chambers can be hard or soft. They are purchased for home-use and clinical-use. Most are horizontal but you can find a few that are vertical.
One primary disadvantage of a monoplace chamber is that the patient is isolated and confined to a relatively small place. It may be a bit difficult to endure a long treatment, especially if the patient is claustrophobic.
Multiplace Hyperbaric Chambers
Multiplace chambers are a popular option for hospitals and medical centers, although they are more expensive than monoplace chambers.
Multiplace chambers can hold between 2 to 18 patients, depending on the chamber. In the chamber, patients may sit in a chair or recline.
The biggest advantage of multiplace chambers is the extra room provided - for medical equipment, gym equipment, or even another user. In accordance, this type of chamber is best suited for patients that need to bring medical equipment inside the chamber during treatment, athletes that want to exercise while receiving treatment, users that are claustrophobic, and families that want to receive treatment simultaneously with their children.
Do I need a prescription for mHBOT or HBOT?
mHBOT therapy is typically done in-home, where the user administers treatment to themselves. Because hyperbaric oxygen chambers are a Class II medical device, they are moderated regulated by the FDA and require a prescription from a medical specialist for purchase.
While you should inform your doctor if you’re considering mHBOT as a treatment option for your child or loved one, many doctors not familiar with the therapy may initially express resistance to the program.
However, this trend is falling by the wayside as positive results continued to be reported.
Can mHBOT cure autism, cerebral palsy or other conditions?
As of 2021, HBOT is not FDA-approved for treatment in cases of autism or cerebral palsy.
However, this doesn’t make HBOT unsafe nor unbeneficial. While results depend greatly on the individual case, in most reported instances, children with developmental disabilities undergoing mHBOT have developed skills and abilities previously considered beyond the scope of possibility.
At RehabMart, we see frequent cases in which the child’s and his/her caregiver’s lives are improved after undergoing mHBOT.
Do I need an oxygen concentrator for my hyperbaric chamber to work?
Your hyperbaric chamber will function properly without an accompanying oxygen concentrator, but the decision to enrich your oxygen intake while receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one that should be made between you and your doctor.
If a user’s doctor prescribes an oxygen concentrator, the user can increase the oxygen density inside their home hyperbaric chamber.
Mild hyperbaric chambers for home use pressurize and inflate with ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (at sea level). The FDA has approved mild hyperbaric chambers for certain uses under the condition that they’re pressurized with ambient air.
While the amount of oxygen in a mild hyperbaric chamber will never reach 100%, users may purchase a prescribed oxygen concentrator to increase oxygen density within the chamber.
Why would a doctor prescribe an oxygen concentrator?
Research has shown positive results using mHBOT for many conditions when the individual is treated with additional oxygen delivered via an oxygen concentrator.
However, evidence suggests different protocols are necessary, depending on the psi and the model of oxygen concentrator.
I don’t need to use HBOT for treatment of any FDA-approved purposes. Can hyperbaric oxygen therapy help me with personal fitness and wellness goals?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used by people from all walks of life, including professional athletes and mountain climbers, who find hyperbaric oxygenation helps with sports recovery, prevents muscle fatigue, and decreases the buildup of lactic acid.
Because the exposure to pure oxygen is widely beneficial in ways not limited to the treatment of sickness or injury, many people chose to purchase hyperbaric therapy chambers simply to add to their quality of life.
What are the most common uses for mild hyperbaric chambers (mHBOT)?
In children, the most common mHBOT uses include the following: developmental disorders (autism, cerebral palsy), anoxic brain injury, traumatic brain injury, and general autoimmune disorders.
mHBOT chambers are desirable for small children especially due to the flexibility it affords both the patient and the parent/caregiver. By having a mHBOT unit for in-home use, the family is able to ultilize treatment at their discretion, rather than schedule a session at a clinic or hospital.
Especially for families in which a child is living with a disability, this can greatly increase convenience and the amount of time the child is able to spend in the chamber environment overall.
In adults, the most common mHBOT uses include oxidative stress, treatment of sports injuries, assistance in sports recovery (muscular fatigue and soreness), autoimmune disorders, stroke, nonhealing diabetic wounds, and peripheral vascular disease.
Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy safe?
Yes! Very few safety complications have ever been reported.
Many visitors to hyperbaric centers report only mild topical discomfort, similar to the ear pressure you feel in an ascending or descending airplane. This kind of inner ear/sinus pressure can be minimized by altering the atmospheric pressure inside the chamber at a slower rate.
Discuss any concerns you might have with your treating physician or a hyperbaric technician.
Is hyperbaric therapy safe for the elderly?
Yes. Hyperbaric therapy can be very beneficial to individuals farther along in years, even contributing to reduced signs of aging.
New research indicates hyperbaric oxygenation slows apoptosis, or cell death - the leading component of visible aging.
Is HBOT/mHBOT painful?
No. HBOT/mHBOT is painless and noninvasive. As long as users can handle the air pressure change normally experienced on a commercial aircraft, they can tolerate HBOT.
Severely claustrophobic people may have some difficulty in a hyperbaric chamber, but a hyperbaric technician can teach techniques to relieve pressure and alleviate any discomfort.
Are there any long-term side effects of HBOT?
After long-term treatments, some patients report vision changes, but this is temporary. Visual acuity returns to normal within three to four months after ending HBOT treatment.
Is there any reason someone should not use a hyperbaric chamber?
Do not enter a hyperbaric chamber if you are under the influence of intoxicants, if you have ear canal problems or an ear infection, or if you are experiencing symptoms of a cold/influenza.
It is also a good idea to refrain from wearing strongly scented perfumes or other products, out of consideration for the next user and to maintain a neutral sensory environment.
Can I legally use an oxygen concentrator with a mild hyperbaric chamber?
Since oxygen is considered a drug by the FDA, oxygen must be prescribed by an MD, DO or DDS in the United States. Therefore, an oxygen concentrator should only be used when it is prescribed by a physician.
It is the patient’s responsibility to obtain a prescription and seek consultation for their in-home mild HBOT treatment protocol.
RehabMart is passionate about connecting patients and individuals with easy to understand information regarding the many benefits of Hyperbaric Therapy.
For continued reading on the many uses and benefits of HBOT, read our article 11 Ways Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Change Your Life, explore the leading brands of hyperbaric chambers with our Hyperbaric Chamber Brand List, or explore our transcribed video library here.
What Does the FDA Say About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
8 Ways to Prepare for Your First Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Session
What is a Hyperbaric Chamber and What Does it Do?
Hyperbaric Chambers on Rehabmart.com
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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