What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT, uses oxygen at an air pressure higher than one atmosphere absolute (ATA). In that pressurised environment the oxygen dissolves into the blood plasma, saturating the fluid and carrying oxygen further into the body than breathing at normal pressure allows.
It is non invasive: you lie down inside the chamber and breathe normally. Our chambers are spacious enough to lie in comfortably and have a bubble window at face level, so you can see out throughout the session — which most people who dislike enclosed spaces find reassuring.
How it works
The easiest way to picture it is a bottle of fizzy pop. The pressure inside the sealed bottle keeps the CO₂ bubbles small enough to stay dissolved in the liquid. Open the bottle, release the pressure, and the bubbles grow until you can see them.
HBOT works on the same principle. Breathing oxygen under pressure allows far more of it to dissolve into the blood plasma and other body fluids, rather than being carried only by red blood cells. That oxygen rich plasma can then reach inflamed or injured tissue, including areas where circulation is poor.
Benefits
What to expect
Before
Wear comfortable clothes. We’ll run through your history and answer any questions about the chamber before your first session.
Settling in
You lie down inside the chamber. Pressure is raised gradually — you’ll feel it in your ears, much like taking off in a plane, and we’ll show you how to clear them.
During
Breathe normally and relax. Most people read, listen to something or simply doze. A practitioner is close by and you can talk to them throughout.
After
Pressure is released slowly, then you’re free to carry on with your day. There’s no recovery time. Some people feel noticeably clear headed, others feel pleasantly tired.
Who it’s often used for
People come to us about all sorts of things. These are the ones that come up most often with this treatment — if yours isn’t listed, ask us.
Before you book
HBOT isn’t suitable for everyone. Tell us if you have any of these contraindications: a lung condition, recent ear or sinus surgery, untreated pneumothorax, or pregnancy — we’ll ask you to check with your GP first.
If you have a cold, blocked sinuses or an ear infection on the day, let us know. Equalising pressure is uncomfortable with congestion and it’s usually better to rebook.
Hyperbaric Oxygen FAQs
Does it hurt?
No. The only sensation most people notice is pressure in the ears as the chamber pressurises and depressurises, similar to a plane taking off or landing. We’ll show you how to clear your ears and we raise the pressure slowly.
What if I’m claustrophobic?
The chambers are large enough to lie in with room to move, and there’s a clear bubble window at face level so you can see out and talk to the practitioner the whole time. Most people who were nervous beforehand settle within the first few minutes.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends entirely on what you’re using it for. A one off session before or after an event is perfectly reasonable; recovery and healing goals are usually approached as a course. Your practitioner will talk this through at your consultation.
Can I bring my phone in?
We’ll go through what can and can’t come into the chamber before your first session. There are restrictions in a pressurised oxygen rich environment, so please ask rather than assume.
The treatments described here are complementary therapies intended to support general health and wellbeing. They are not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment, and nothing here should be taken as a promise of a particular outcome. If you have a health concern, please speak to your GP, and never stop or change prescribed medication without their advice.