HOW HBOT WORKS

The Science of Healing Delivered Through Pure Oxygen, Pressure, and Precision.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which significantly increases the amount of oxygen in the blood and tissues. Under normal conditions, oxygen is carried almost entirely by red blood cells. Under hyperbaric pressure, oxygen dissolves directly into the plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and bone, reaching areas of the body that normal circulation cannot access.

THE BASIC PRINCIPLE

What Happens Inside the Chamber

When you enter the hyperbaric chamber, the atmospheric pressure is gradually increased to approximately 2.0 ATA (atmospheres absolute), roughly twice the normal atmospheric pressure at sea level. You breathe 100% pure oxygen through a mask for the duration of your session, which lasts between 30 and 90 minutes.

At this elevated pressure, your lungs are able to gather significantly more oxygen than would ever be possible breathing normal air. This oxygen-rich blood is then carried throughout the body, flooding tissues, organs, and brain cells that may be oxygen-deficient due to injury, illness, or poor circulation.

THE FOUR CORE MECHANISMS

How HBOT Heals the Body

When you enter the hyperbaric chamber, the atmospheric pressure is gradually increased to approximately 2.0 ATA (atmospheres absolute), roughly twice the normal atmospheric pressure at sea level. You breathe 100% pure oxygen through a mask for the duration of your session, which lasts between 30 and 90 minutes.
At this elevated pressure, your lungs are able to gather significantly more oxygen than would ever be possible breathing normal air. This oxygen-rich blood is then carried throughout the body, flooding tissues, organs, and brain cells that may be oxygen-deficient due to injury, illness, or poor circulation.

1

Increased Oxygen Delivery

HBOT increases oxygen delivery to brain tissues and body organs that have impaired blood flow due to injury or disease. This reduces hypoxia and ischemia — dangerously low oxygen levels in tissues and blood — and actively promotes cellular healing in areas previously starved of oxygen.

2

Reduced Inflammation

HBOT decreases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines — the chemical signals that drive chronic inflammation — while simultaneously promoting anti-inflammatory pathways. This makes it particularly effective for conditions where systemic inflammation is a root cause of ongoing damage.

3

Neuroprotection

HBOT protects brain cells by reducing oxidative stress and promoting two critical processes:

Angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels that restore circulation to damaged tissue
Neurogenesis — the formation of new neurons, supporting brain repair and cognitive recovery

4

Improved Neurological Outcomes

Clinical evidence suggests that HBOT can improve cognitive and neurological function in patients with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative conditions — particularly in mild to moderate cases. Research has also explored its use in military personnel with TBI and PTSD, with reports of measurable symptom improvement.

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

Acknowledged Benefits

The benefits of HBOT are being realized by more and more people, and it is becoming increasingly clear that this therapy is here to stay. Research has documented the following benefits across a range of conditions:

Improved brain oxygenation in areas with impaired blood flow

Reduction in inflammatory markers associated with chronic disease

Stimulation of new blood vessel and neuron growth

Improved cognitive and neurological function in TBI patients

Symptom improvement in military veterans with PTSD and TBI

Support for wound healing in diabetic and chronic wound patients

Enhanced immune regulation in autoimmune conditions

APPROVED INDICATIONS

FDA-Approved & Clinically Recognized Uses

HBOT is not experimental. It is an FDA-cleared medical treatment with approved indications including:

Carbon monoxide poisoning
Chronic non-healing wounds (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers)
Necrotizing soft tissue infections
Radiation tissue damage
Acute traumatic ischemia
Osteomyelitis

At Associated NeuroRehab, we also treat a range of additional conditions where clinical evidence and physician judgment support the use of HBOT — including neurological recovery, cognitive decline, anxiety, autoimmune disease, and more.

WHAT HBOT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR

Contraindications — Who Should Not Use HBOT

HBOT is not suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for patients with:

Untreated pneumothorax
Severe claustrophobia
Upper respiratory infections
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with CO₂ retention
History of seizures
Pregnancy (case-dependent — consult Dr. Jenkins)

If you are unsure whether HBOT is appropriate for your condition, call us at 248.208.9215 to speak with our team before booking.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Side Effects & How We Manage Them

HBOT is a safe, well-tolerated therapy when administered correctly. However, as with any medical treatment, side effects are possible:

Barotrauma

The most common side effect. Patients may experience ear pain or sinus discomfort due to pressure changes — similar to the feeling during an airplane descent. This is managed by slow, controlled compression and decompression, and by taking ProCold nasal decongestant before each session. Patients who skip ProCold are significantly more likely to experience ear discomfort.

Oxygen Toxicity

In rare cases, patients may experience nausea, twitching, or visual disturbances. If this occurs, the session is stopped immediately, the chamber is decompressed, and supportive care is provided. Our team monitors you continuously throughout every session to prevent this.

Claustrophobia

Pre-treatment counseling is provided to all patients. Our team takes time to walk you through the chamber experience before your first session so you feel fully comfortable and prepared.

YOUR SESSION AT A GLANCE

What a Typical Session Looks Like

BEFORE YOU ENTER:

Take ProCold as advised to prevent ear discomfort

Remove all metallic objects and jewelry

Remove any flammable materials, lotions, or petroleum-based products

Change into 100% cotton clothing — provided by our facility

Refrain from smoking or alcohol prior to your session

DURING YOUR SESSION:

You enter the single-occupancy private chamber alone

You put on your oxygen mask and ear plugs

The chamber is gradually pressurized to 2.0 ATA

You breathe 100% pure oxygen for 30–90 minutes

You may read, rest, or sleep — many patients fall asleep

Your vital signs are monitored continuously by our technician

Dr. Jenkins supervises your session throughout

AFTER YOUR SESSION:

You are observed for 15–30 minutes post-session

Our team assesses for any adverse effects such as dizziness, fatigue, or ear discomfort

Session details — including pressure, duration, and your response — are documented in your record

GET STARTED

Ready to Experience Precision Healing?

Every patient at Associated NeuroRehab is a chronic case — and every one has improved. If you are living with a neurological condition, chronic wound, inflammatory disease, or any of the conditions we treat, we invite you to take the first step.

Call us at 248.208.9215 to speak with our team, or fill out our appointment request form below. Same-day appointments are available Wednesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.