Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment involving breathing pure, 100% oxygen within a pressurized environment. This occurs inside a specialized chamber where atmospheric pressure is increased to two or three times the normal air pressure at sea level. This process increases the amount of oxygen dissolved directly into the blood plasma, allowing the gas to reach tissues starved of oxygen due to injury or compromised circulation. The resulting influx of oxygen supports natural healing, helps combat infections, and reduces tissue swelling.
The Length of a Single Treatment Session
The duration of a single HBOT session is typically between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on the condition and protocol used. This time is divided into three distinct phases: compression, the treatment period, and decompression.
Compression
The experience begins with the compression phase, where the chamber is gradually pressurized to the prescribed level. This phase usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Patients may feel pressure in their ears, similar to an airplane descent, requiring them to equalize pressure by swallowing or yawning.
Treatment Period
Once the target pressure is reached, the core treatment period begins. During this time, the patient breathes 100% oxygen, often through a mask or a hood, for 60 to 90 minutes. The elevated pressure forces a higher concentration of oxygen into the bloodstream, saturating the body’s tissues and promoting physiological effects.
Decompression
The final stage is decompression, where the chamber pressure is gradually returned to normal atmospheric pressure. This slow process lasts another 10 to 15 minutes to prevent adverse effects from rapid pressure change.
Variables Determining Total Treatment Duration
The overall length of a patient’s HBOT commitment depends on the condition being addressed. Medical protocols divide conditions into acute and chronic categories.
Acute Conditions
Acute conditions, which are sudden and severe, often require a relatively short course of treatment. For instance, conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning or air embolism might only require between one and five treatments to achieve the desired outcome.
Chronic Conditions
Chronic conditions involve ongoing tissue damage or non-healing wounds and demand a significantly longer commitment for sustained biological repair. Examples include non-healing diabetic foot ulcers, chronic bone infections, and radiation injury. Standard clinical protocols for these issues often prescribe 20 to 40 treatments, usually administered five days a week.
The specific treatment plan is determined by a physician based on established guidelines and ongoing patient response. The therapeutic benefits of HBOT are cumulative, with each session building upon the previous one. Interrupting the prescribed schedule can compromise the potential for long-term healing and tissue regeneration.
Sustaining the Results After Treatment
The benefits of a completed HBOT course can last for an extended period, often months or years. This is because the treatment induces enduring biological changes rather than just temporarily managing symptoms.
HBOT promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), which permanently improves circulation to damaged tissues. This new vascular network provides a long-term supply of oxygen and nutrients, sustaining the healing process after sessions conclude.
HBOT also stimulates the mobilization of stem cells and the production of collagen, fundamental components of lasting tissue repair. These regenerative processes create a more robust cellular environment, resulting in structural and functional improvement.
However, the longevity of results varies depending on the patient’s underlying health. While chronic wound healing is often permanent, some neurological or chronic inflammatory states may require occasional “booster” or maintenance sessions. These ongoing sessions reinforce positive physiological changes and prevent symptom recurrence.