Understanding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Its Benefits
- Kubo Wellness
- Nov 17, 2025
- 3 min read
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has gained attention as a promising treatment for various health conditions and recovery processes. This therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, which can enhance the amount of oxygen your blood carries. For health seekers, athletes, and those managing chronic conditions, understanding how this therapy works and its potential benefits can open new doors to improved wellness.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) means breathing 100% oxygen while inside a chamber where the air pressure is increased to higher than normal atmospheric pressure. This process allows your lungs to gather more oxygen than usual. The oxygen-rich blood then travels throughout your body, helping to repair tissues and fight infections.
The therapy is typically delivered in a specialised chamber, which can be a single-person unit or a larger room accommodating several people. Sessions usually last between 60 to 90 minutes, and the number of treatments depends on the condition being addressed.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?
Under normal conditions, oxygen travels through your lungs into your blood, where it binds to red blood cells. In hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the increased pressure allows oxygen to dissolve directly into the plasma, the liquid part of your blood. This means oxygen reaches areas where blood flow might be limited or damaged.
The extra oxygen supports several healing processes:
Stimulates new blood vessel growth
Reduces swelling and inflammation
Enhances the ability of white blood cells to fight bacteria
Promotes faster tissue repair and regeneration
This mechanism makes HBOT useful for a variety of health challenges.
Common Uses of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used in medical settings for decades. Some of the most common approved uses include:
Decompression sickness experienced by divers
Serious infections such as certain types of gangrene
Non-healing wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers
Radiation injuries from cancer treatments
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Beyond these, many athletes and wellness enthusiasts explore HBOT to support recovery and improve performance.
Benefits for Athletes and Active Individuals
For athletes and those with active lifestyles, oxygen plays a critical role in muscle recovery and energy production. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can:
Speed up recovery from injuries by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair
Decrease muscle soreness after intense workouts
Improve endurance by enhancing oxygen delivery to muscles
Support brain health by increasing oxygen supply to neural tissues
Some professional sports teams and training centres incorporate HBOT sessions to help athletes maintain peak condition.
What to Expect During a Session
If you decide to try hyperbaric oxygen therapy, here’s what a typical session looks like:
Preparation: You’ll change into comfortable clothing without any metal objects.
Entering the Chamber: You lie down inside the chamber, which then seals and begins to pressurize.
Breathing Oxygen: You breathe pure oxygen through a mask or hood while the pressure increases.
Relaxation: Sessions usually last 60 to 90 minutes. Many people use this time to rest, meditate, or listen to music.
Decompression: The pressure gradually returns to normal before you exit the chamber.
Most people find the experience relaxing, though some may feel mild ear discomfort similar to what happens during airplane take off.
Safety and Considerations
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally safe when supervised by trained professionals. Still, it is not suitable for everyone. People with certain conditions, such as untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung), some types of lung disease, or certain ear problems, should avoid HBOT.
If you are interested in trying hyperbaric oxygen therapy, consider these steps:
Consult your healthcare provider to discuss if HBOT fits your health needs.
Research local providers like Kubo Wellness in Derby that offer professional services.
Start with a consultation to understand the treatment plan and expected outcomes.
Before starting therapy, a thorough medical evaluation is essential.
The team at Kubo Wellness in Derby ensures clients receive proper screening and guidance.
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