At the start of the treatment, you will generally feel a fullness sensation in the ears as the pressure gradually increases — similar to ascending or descending in an airplane. You can relieve this feeling by yawning or swallowing. Upon reaching treatment pressure, you rest and relax.

Avoid alcohol consumption for 8 hours before the session. Avoid smoking or vaping during treatment because of the vasoconstriction and accumulation of carbon monoxide. If diabetic, please discuss plans to prevent hypoglycemia with your healthcare provider before treatment. Otherwise, dress comfortably, use the bathroom, and plan on removing your shoes before your session. 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a technology that delivers oxygen to a person within a pressurized environment. During treatment, oxygen under pressure fills the hyperbaric chamber or is breathed through a mask, increasing the oxygen concentration within a person’s body 15 to 20 times greater than the typical level in the blood. Oxygen is typically only transported by hemoglobin in the red blood cells. By increasing the air pressure, oxygen is diffused into the body’s plasma, allowing a super-saturation of tissues and organs with oxygen. Increased oxygen to the body accelerates healing processes and aids recovery from certain conditions and illnesses, even reaching injuries with damaged circulation.

HBOT has a good safety record. Many hyperbaric oxygen centers report only mild ear discomfort as a side effect of treatment. Such discomfort is similar to the ear pressure felt when ascending or dropping altitude, like in a plane; descending more slowly may minimize the discomfort. Discuss these concerns with your healthcare provider and hyperbaric technician.

Adding enriched oxygen into a hyperbaric environment does need to be monitored. Oxygen toxicity can occur with pressures greater than 1.5 ATA. Oxygen toxicity has not been observed at the lower pressures we use at Peak Potential. With patients properly monitored and with appropriate treatment parameters, we avoid oxygen toxicity. If oxygen toxicity were to occur, it is typically short-lived and resolves by removing concentrated oxygen.

Yes, HBOT yields wonderful results with children. Research with children suffering from brain injuries, genetic disorders, and autism shows positive results and great promise. An adult can enter the chamber with the child to make them feel comfortable. 

HBOT is great for those in their later years. There are signals in the research that HBOT is good for anti-aging, neurologic conditions, and overall health and well-being. Recent research points to elongating telomere length, shown to increase longevity and slow apoptosis (cellular death).

Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used regularly by people looking to optimize their health and performance, including professional athletes. As a competitive edge for athletes, hyperbaric oxygenation reduces muscle fatigue and lactic acid buildup. Individuals who use HBOT in their professional athletic careers report an advantage over their competitors.