Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a well-established, evidence-based treatment for a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI) to non-healing wounds, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. By increasing the amount of oxygen the blood can carry, hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates the body’s natural healing processes for a faster recovery and elevated competitive performance.
The advanced, non-invasive treatment of medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) accelerates recovery by delivering high levels of oxygen to the body’s tissues. Medical-grade HBOT fuels cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and promotes faster healing.
Many illnesses and injuries linger because enough oxygen can’t reach the damaged area to support the healing process.
Medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides extra oxygen that dissolves into all the body’s fluids and tissues, which allows it to be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked. This allows oxygen to reach damaged bone and tissue, accelerating the body’s healing process.
Medical-grade HBOT treatments have proved to promote healing of chronic wounds and acute injuries. Studies are also showing promising results with improved function following a TBI, and for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Medical-grade HBOT improves patient quality of life in many ways when standard medical treatment has not been successful.
Most patients are very comfortable. They may watch television, listen to music or an audiobook, or sleep.
Sometimes the pressure changes will make a patient’s ears feel full, like on an airplane. Some people find this uncomfortable. This sensation will go away when the chamber decompresses at the end of the treatment session.
Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves being in a small, enclosed chamber for an extended period, the hyperbaric chambers are large and made of acrylic, so they are designed to provide a clear view and minimize any feeling of restriction.
For safety reasons, decompression must be slow, so there is no rapid emergency exit. If you tend to feel claustrophobic, you should let your doctor know and decide together whether HBOT is the right choice for you. The general recommendation is that claustrophobic patients should take an anti-anxiety medication immediately prior to each treatment session.
Tobacco products interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen. Patients are strongly recommended to stop smoking, vaping, or using any smokeless tobacco for the duration of the treatment plan.
An HBOT treatment session is administered at a scheduled time. The length of treatment varies based on individual patient needs.
An HBOT treatment plan varies based on patient needs and is determined by the hyperbaric doctor. The decision is based on the patient’s diagnosis and the body’s response to treatments.
Unlike mild chambers that are not FDA-approved and deliver ambient air (about 27 percent oxygen), our medical-grade hyperbaric chambers deliver 100 percent FDA-approved medical-grade oxygen. The higher oxygen level supports more oxygen delivery to damaged tissues for faster healing.
Although there is a minor risk of side effects, as with any medical treatment, overall, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very safe.
At NexGen Hyperbaric, all medical-grade HBOT treatments we administer are prescribed by a physician and performed under medical supervision. Our hard-sided hyperbaric chambers are expertly engineered to ensure maximum safety and superior outcomes. And, unlike soft-sided/inflatable chambers – which are never recommended because they pose serious safety concerns – our FDA-approved HBOT technology has proved to be very safe and effective.
The risks of properly administered medical-grade HBOT are minimal. Most side effects are not commonly experienced, and many are very rare.
Our medical-grade HBOT treatments use proven safety methods, such as very slowly inducing pressure changes, to minimize risk and help prevent side effects.
Medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an effective form of treatment for sports-related injuries and conditions relating to oxygen depletion within the body’s cells and tissues. This can include conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, various types of embolisms, radiation injuries, and wounds that aren’t healing properly.
HBOT can also treat conditions affecting specific body parts, such as stroke, chronic wounds, and injuries sustained during athletic competition. Some studies have shown that HBOT can improve cognitive function and memory in people with Alzheimer’s disease, and it may improve the quality of life in cancer patients.
Research supports that medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhances the healing process and speeds up recovery compared to results for those who do not receive the treatment.
Yes! Our medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help athletes recover from injuries faster and perform better.
When athletes use our medical-grade HBOT, they are exposed to high oxygen levels in a pressurized environment. This helps the body heal faster and minimizes time needed to rest and recover from injuries. Additionally, HBOT can improve athletic performance by helping the body take in more oxygen during exercise. This allows athletes to push themselves harder without experiencing the same level of fatigue.
Studies have shown the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on mental health issues, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety, among other conditions. For example, Dr. Paul Harch conducted a study on military personnel in which the subjects received 40 HBOT treatment sessions. More than 50 percent of the subjects with PTSD were no longer diagnosable after the four-week study. This was due to the increased oxygen flow the HBOT treatments provide, benefiting the brain as well as the rest of the body and positively affecting mental health.
There are many benefits of our medical-grade HBOT treatments, due to the increased oxygen supply in the body. Some of them include:
After workouts, during busy seasons, and all throughout the journey for the championship, medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy can enhance athletes’ recovery from many common sports injuries or strenuous training. Medical-grade HBOT fuels cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and promotes faster healing when the demands of competition or physical activity take a toll.
HBOT is also helpful for many conditions that require additional blood oxygen concentration or assistance in re-establishing blood flow. Conditions such as decompression sickness, non-healing wounds, ischemic injuries, crush injuries, and carbon monoxide poisoning – which are often unresponsive to other forms of treatment – typically respond well to medical-grade HBOT.
That depends on your individual circumstances, as the after-effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can vary. You may feel relaxed or sleepy, although it’s also possible that you feel more energetic and focused. You may experience immediate pain relief or symptom relief, a clearer mind, or a sensation of fullness in your ears or sinuses. There are many possible outcomes for how you might feel after treatment, but whatever the temporary effects might be, you will feel better in the long run.
Our medical-grade HBOT treatment process is straightforward and will be the same for each treatment.
Patients are allowed to wear only clean cotton clothing. No cosmetics, perfume, hair products, deodorants, wigs or jewelry are allowed.
Inform the technician if you are taking any medications, including non-prescription drugs or supplements.
Before starting HBOT, the technician needs to know about the patient’s medical history, including any current illnesses or injuries, as well as any medications they are currently taking. The technician must also learn about the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate.
Yes. NexGen Hyperbaric clinics all employ monoplace chambers, designed for a single patient. Chambers are clear acrylic, so patients remain in full view of technicians with contact available at all times through an intercom.
That will depend on your unique health condition. While some patients are fully healed with just a few sessions with our medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy, certain types of wounds require as many as 30-40 treatments to completely resolve. This information will be covered in your consultation before you begin treatment, though the treatment plan can sometimes change depending on the individual case, due to faster or slower healing time.
After HBOT treatment sessions are over, many patients report feeling relaxed or sleepy, while others feel energetic and well-rested. Some patients notice immediate relief from pain, swelling, or other symptoms, while others need more sessions to feel the healing effects. A sensation of fullness in the ears or sinuses is also common but passes relatively quickly.
The cost of sessions varies, based on several factors including the reason for therapy, how many sessions a patient will need, and the individual provider’s fees. However, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is covered as outpatient treatment by commercial insurance and Medicare/Medicaid. The conditions covered include:
This depends largely on the patient, the reason for treatment, and the severity of the condition or injury. The course of treatment can range from days to months. This will be discussed at your consultation before beginning treatment.
Self-referrals from patients or physician referrals are acceptable. Our staff assesses patients to determine their unique needs before providing care. Please contact us at 888-567-4302 to set up an assessment.
Yes. Your doctor refers you for medical-grade HBOT treatment and stays in charge of your care. The hyperbaric clinic’s doctor serves as a consultant, working closely with your doctor to plan and manage your HBOT treatment.
Off-label treatment is when a doctor prescribes a medication or therapy for something other than what it is FDA-approved for. This is routine throughout medicine because it’s common for the medical community to recognize when a treatment has a clear benefit for something else when treating patients for an approved condition.
Off-label use often leads to clinical studies that result in the formerly off-label condition becoming approved as well. One of the most famous examples of this is minoxidil (Rogaine), which was originally approved as a blood pressure drug but is now used primarily for treating hair loss.
It is standard practice to prescribe off-label treatments when research supports them but when the years of additional studies and paperwork to secure FDA approval are ongoing. This is what NexGen Hyperbaric offers – early access to a safe therapy showing positive results in medical studies for new uses.
It depends on the condition being treated. Most insurance companies will cover medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment for conditions approved by the FDA. However, off-label treatments such as those in successful clinical trials are still in the process of obtaining FDA approval, and thus are considered an off-label application. Insurance will generally not cover these treatments.
Our staff will assist with determining if insurance coverage is available before treatment begins.
Yes, NexGen Hyperbaric has participated in clinical trials for HBOT treatment of conditions such as traumatic brain injury. Patients interested in whether this is an option for them may contact us, and it can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
NexGen Hyperbaric is proud to be among the prestigious group of facilities accredited by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). This esteemed accreditation signifies that our facilities, equipment, protocols, and staff training have undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure we meet the highest standards of patient care and safety. Our accredited program provides a pathway for our hospital-based programs to seek their own UHMS accreditation as well if they choose to do so.
UHMS is dedicated to supporting and advancing high-quality care in hyperbaric medicine. The UHMS Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation (HFA) program is considered the gold standard in the industry. It is also the only hyperbaric-specific accreditation to be recognized by The Joint Commission as a complementary accrediting organization through its Cooperative Accreditation Initiative.
The medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) provided by NexGen Hyperbaric is a well-established, evidence-based treatment for a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries and TBI to non-healing wounds, PTSD, and more. We take this traditionally hospital-based therapy and deliver it in high-quality, accredited outpatient clinics and mobile treatment units. That means you get world-class care in settings that are more convenient, comfortable, and efficient, without compromising medical standards or safety.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is safe for most patients, with the only true exception being those with untreated pneumothorax, otherwise known as a collapsed lung. This is because of the potential of causing tension pneumothorax, or trapped air between the lung and chest wall, which is a medical emergency. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a generally safe procedure, with complications being rare. However, it does carry some potential risks, including:
Many life-threatening wounds can be treated with our medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy. For example, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause tissue hypoxia, a condition in which the body does not have enough oxygen. Medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to increase the amount of oxygen that gets to the tissues and improve the patient’s chances of survival. Other life-threatening wounds can be treated with medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen. To find out more, visit Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Wound Healing.
Because increasing oxygen concentration in affected areas is key to a full and speedy recovery, medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the most effective method of treatment for wound healing. When wounds are oxygenated with a high concentration of pure, medical-grade oxygen, the body’s natural healing response is activated and enhanced, allowing a full recovery in a shorter period of time.
Wound treatment with our hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves immersion in pure, high-concentration, medical-grade oxygen within a hyperbaric chamber. Tissues receive much-needed oxygen and regenerate; infections are resolved or prevented by strengthening white blood cells; and increased blood flow to the area promotes faster, more complete healing of the wound.
When a wound is healing, the patient will notice less pain. They will also observe that the skin around the wound returns to its normal color, any scabs present shrink and eventually dissolve, and the body starts to feel like itself again. Discoloration, redness, discharge, heat coming from the wound site, and extreme tenderness are all signs of potential infection and should be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Wound healing happens in three phases as follows:
Yes, thanks to the influx of highly concentrated, medical-grade, pure oxygen. The wounds treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy have typically not responded well to other forms of treatment, such as antibiotics or other standard wound care. This is likely because these wounds involve tissues that require additional blood oxygen to heal completely, which they can’t get from most standard forms of treatment.
It depends on what you’re using HBOT for. If you’re using it to treat a specific condition, consult your doctor about how often you should undergo HBOT.
The many benefits of medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy include wound healing, treatment of various health conditions, and reversing carbon monoxide poisoning, among others. For a detailed explanation of how you might benefit from medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy, contact NexGen Hyperbaric for a complete breakdown of the conditions we treat.
From professionals to high school and college players, many athletes leverage medical-grade HBOT to get a competitive edge. Elite athletes who have stated they used HBOT to improve performance and recover more quickly include LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, and Kobe Bryant. In addition, NexGen Hyperbaric has partnered with professional teams that have brought our mobile medical-grade hyperbaric services right on-site.
Do you need to know something about how NexGen Hyperbaric can help you that isn’t covered here? Contact us and a member of our team will be glad to answer your questions.