Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The Goal of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is to: 

  • Deliver more oxygen directly into the blood, which helps grow new blood vessels. 
  • Support the release and movement of stem cells to aid healing.

Each treatment takes about two hours and is done five days a week, for up to 60 treatments. During the treatment, the pressure inside the chamber is similar to what you would feel if you were 50 feet underwater.

Prior to going into the chamber, a professional will check the following: 

  • Blood Pressure and Temperature 
  • Lung Sounds 
  • Check Ears  
  • Blood Sugar Check Pre and Post-Treatment (if the patient is diabetic)

*Patients with diabetes should eat a hearty, high-protein meal before treatment. Our goal is for your pre-treatment blood sugar to be greater than 120 mg/dL. 

  • The Patient will be Connected to a 3-Lead Heart Monitor and Grounding Wrist Strap 

Due to the increased pressure and 100% oxygen, potential side effects/risks may include: 

  • Ear/sinus pain 
  • Temporary vision changes 
  • Hyperoxic seizures (a benign seizure caused by too much oxygen 
  • During your treatment you may be prescribed an “air break” to reduce the risk of this rare side effect. 

Safety and Comfort Come First! Since the chamber is pressurized with 100% oxygen, staff take extensive safety precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. Rest assured, you’ll never be alone during treatment—a professional will always be with you to monitor your comfort and answer any questions.  

The following items are prohibited inside the chamber: 

  • Matches, Lighters, Cigarettes 
  • Jewelry and/or Metal Objects 
  • Reading Material 
  • Dentures, Hearing Aids 
  • Make up 
  • Deodorant, Lotions, Ointments 
  • Electronics/Battery Operated Devices 
  • Perfumes, Aftershave, Cologne 
  • Petroleum Based Products 
  • Medication Patches 

This list is not inclusive. If you have any questions about what is allowed in the chamber, please talk with your care provider. 

Patients can safely enter the chamber even if they have devices like nephrostomy tubes, Foley catheters, or ostomies. Before starting treatment, our hyperbaric safety coordinator and physicians will carefully assess your condition to ensure everything is ready. This list includes disorders for which Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is either a primary method of treatment or has been proven to be a valuable adjunct to other therapeutic measures. he list below are approved indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy recognized by the FDA and may be insurance-payer dependent: 

  • Air or Gas Embolism 
  • Arterial Insufficiencies 
  • Central Retinal Artery Occlusion 
  • Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds 
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 
  • Clostridial Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene) 
  • Compromised Grafts and Flaps 
  • Acute Traumatic Ischemia such as Crush Injuries and Skeletal Muscle Compartment Syndromes 
  • Decompression Sickness 
  • Delayed Radiation Injuries (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis) 
  • Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss 
  • Intracranial Abscess 
  • Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections 
  • Refractory Osteomyelitis 
  • Severe Anemia 
  • Thermal Burns 
  • Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head 

Interested?

If you’re interested in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy care, please note that while we obtain prior authorization from your insurance, you might still be responsible for some costs. A referral from your primary care provider or specialty provider is required. Give us a call at (207) 907-1550 to learn more.

(207) 907-1000