What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy

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 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a powerful, science-backed treatment that enhances the body’s natural healing abilities by delivering oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, oxygen doesn’t just travel through your red blood cells—it also dissolves directly into your plasma, the liquid part of your blood.

This oxygen-rich plasma can circulate more freely throughout the body, reaching areas where blood flow might be limited due to injury, swelling, or inflammation. By saturating the plasma with oxygen, HBOT helps vital tissues receive the fuel they need to repair and regenerate. This deeper level of oxygen delivery supports faster recovery, reduces inflammation, and promotes overall healing—even in areas that are often difficult for normal circulation to reach.

HBOT is an FDA-approved and American Medical Association-recognized therapy. While it’s sometimes used for emergency medical conditions, it’s more commonly used as a safe, cost-effective adjunct treatment to support healing and improve results from other therapies.

During a hyperbaric oxygen session, you breathe oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Normally, the air around us contains about 21% oxygen—but inside the chamber, the amount of oxygen dissolved in your plasma can increase by as much as 20 times compared to normal levels. This enhanced oxygen delivery reaches not only your blood but also your lymphatic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and other tissues, providing healing support at the cellular level.

Under pressure, oxygen can reach areas that red blood cells cannot, allowing deeper tissue repair and recovery. HBOT has been shown to:

• Enhance white blood cell function, improving immune response and infection control
   
• Increase stem cell circulation, supporting regeneration and recovery
   
• Stimulate collagen production, aiding in wound and tissue repair
   
• Reduce inflammation, helping calm pain and swelling
   
• Promote new blood vessel formation, improving long-term circulation and healing
   

When administered by a highly trained professional, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Thrive Hyperbarics is extremely safe and effective. It is used as part of an overall medical treatment plan for a variety of conditions.

Experience how oxygen under pressure can help your body heal, renew, and thrive.

Thrive Hyperbarics uses a seated monoplace hyperbaric chamber, designed for one person at a time. The chamber allows you to remain comfortably seated in your own private space during treatment. Seated chambers are especially beneficial for patients who have difficulty breathing while lying down, experience claustrophobia, or have trouble tolerating treatment in a supine position.

The treatment is completely painless. Some patients may notice a mild sensation of pressure in their ears, similar to what you feel when flying in an airplane, which can be easily relieved by swallowing or yawning.

HBOT treatment plans vary depending on the condition being addressed. For most individuals, a minimum of 5 sessions is recommended to begin experiencing benefits, with research showing that noticeable improvements often appear after approximately 10 sessions. Depending on the specific condition and treatment goals, some patients may require 10, 20, 40, or more sessions. Each treatment plan is personalized to the patient’s condition and progress to achieve the best results.

Because HBOT is generally not covered by insurance for conditions outside FDA-approved indications, Thrive Hyperbarics does not accept insurance. Treatment costs are the responsibility of the patient.

Patients should eat and take medications as they normally would. Diabetics are encouraged to eat just before entering the chamber in order to prevent the occurrence of hypoglycemia.

To ensure your safety and maximum benefit from HBOT, certain precautions are necessary:  

Wear comfortable 100% cotton clothing. Prior to your appointment, please refrain from using perfumes, topical lotions, or cosmetics. Jewelry is also not allowed in the chamber.

Smoking—tobacco products constrict blood vessels and limit the amount of blood and oxygen that can be delivered to your tissues. You should not use tobacco products during your course of treatment.

Medications—some medications change the body’s response to oxygen. It is very important that you provide your hyperbaric treatment team with a complete list of medications, including non-prescription drugs, you are currently taking.