5 Key Features/Benefits
- Increase cellular oxygen levels
- Reduce inflammation
- Upregulate repair and regeneration
- Increase energy levels
- Stimulate healing response
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatment, also referred to as HBOT, is our trusted therapy.
This non-invasive and painless therapy has a historical provenance of over 300 years. Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment has demonstrated its therapeutic abilities and has stood the test of time.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment therapy involves breathing close to 100% pure oxygen inside a pressurised chamber. We utilise HBOT as it’s a treatment supported by substantial clinical evidence and sound underlying mechanisms for positive effects on a variety of symptoms.
Normally, red blood cells carry oxygen through our bodies. However, oxygen delivered under hyperbaric pressure dissolves into all of the body’s fluids. Blood plasma, tissues, even bone, can benefit from this oxygen.
HBOT is both a medical tool for internationally approved indications and can be used as a therapy supporting general wellness.
Operated by our trained medical team only, our Berkhamstead medical-grade hyperbaric chamber has the capability to pressurise oxygen to twice the normal atmospheric pressure of the environment. The international Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society suggest, ‘For clinical purposes, the pressure must equal or exceed 1.4 ATA while breathing near 100% oxygen’. Our London chamber operates at 1.5 ATA and our Berkhamstead chamber at 2.0 ATA.
Delivering oxygen to tissues can:
- Increase cellular oxygen levels
- Promote healing of chronic wounds
- Reduce swelling and inflammation
- Support the body’s natural infection response
- Support tissue repair and blood vessel formation
Key Benefits and Advantages of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
We treat you with oxygen delivered under pressure to penetrate further into your body’s cells, reaching areas affected by injury, inflammation and certain types of infection.
You might expect a range of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy benefits:
Anti-ageing and longevity could benefit
Healing responses for well-being or during infection may be advantaged
- Inhibit or destroy anaerobic bacteria
- Stimulate healing response such as post surgery
- Support blood vessel growth
- Reduce inflammation and pain
- Supports the body’s natural energy production
- Wound healing
- Long Covid
Many find HBOT supports athletic performance
- Increased support for injury recovery
- Reduce inflammation
- Helps improve memory
- Sleep disorders and jet lag
- Decrease bruising and swelling
May support improved outcomes for autoimmunity
Who may benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Our medically led team will consult with you prior to treatment; our treatments are always governed by clinicians.
Generally, the treatment can be recommended for:
- Those with auto-immunity
- Those seeking to promote healing and recovery
- Those seeking to balance their immune system
- Those looking for support with chronic fatigue
- Those seeking to support their microbiome
- Athletes seeking recovery or performance
- Those supporting their longevity
How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy work?
In comparison with atmospheric oxygen levels of 21%, our medical grade hyperbaric chamber delivers nearly 100% oxygen at up to two times environmental pressure. It’s about the equivalent of the pressure at 10m below sea level. This substantially increases available oxygen to upregulate your body’s ability to heal, repair and regenerate and metabolise oxygen for energy.
Functionally, most people’s blood is almost fully saturated with oxygen but using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy drives extra oxygen into your plasma, lymph and fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, delivering increased oxygen to damaged cells and tissues.
This potentially allows for microcirculation to be stimulated, for inflammation to be reduced, genes and immune cells to be up-regulated, stem cells mobilised and the body’s innate ability to heal itself is up-regulated. Detoxification may be improved and anaerobic bacteria destroyed.
Personalised treatment plans
With IVBOOST UK, you can be assured that our protocols are always medical professional led and they will consult with you regarding your medical history prior to treatment.
The effects of hyperbaric oxygen are cumulative and our medical practitioners recommend several sessions in a row to experience optimum benefits. Due to each patient’s individual needs, the amount of sessions required, and the duration of those sessions, varies.
While it is possible to experience benefits following your first session, some patients require more sessions before experiencing changes.
Frequently asked questions
What does oxygen do for the body?
Energy functions in the body require a ready supply of oxygen second by second. Oxygen is essential for making the majority of our adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is the main currency of energy in our cells.
But often we live in stressful circumstances and this can affect the oxygen distribution in our bodies meaning that some tissues get less oxygen. Our mitochondria can become less effective at turning oxygen into energy. This can make our bodies more prone to inflammation and our bodies can’t focus on growth, healing and repair. In short, we lose optimal functioning.
With HBOT, areas of the body where circulation may have left tissues diminished of oxygen now have an extra supply of oxygen offering the potential to heal and repair with natural efficiency.
Can the therapy blend the benefits of oxygen and molecular hydrogen benefits?
At IVBOOST UK, our hyperbaric chamber allows for both oxygen and hydrogen therapy within the same treatment session in order for you to enjoy the potential benefits of each therapy.
Molecular hydrogen is a proven antioxidant that selectively targets harmful free radicals in the body and so could help to prevent disease, degeneration and ageing resulting from body oxidation.
What helps the therapy be beneficial?
We need appropriate oxygen levels in tissues to heal. With circulatory problems and non-healing wounds, for example, adequate oxygen can’t readily reach damaged tissues.
Extra oxygen absorption during Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is effective and safe with minimal side effects. Oxygen can be carried to areas of blocked or diminished circulation, extra oxygen can reach compromised tissues, helping the body to support its own healing process. Increased oxygen can catalyse white blood cells to kill bacteria, it can also reduce swelling and allow new blood vessels to grow more rapidly in affected areas.
How long do the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy last?
During treatment and for the hours and up to a couple of days beyond, the increased oxygen is dissolved directly in plasma, tissues, and fluids, so you get an immediate rise in oxygen delivery to cells. This can reduce swelling, ease pain, and give a temporary “energised” or “clearer” feeling.
Deeper tissue changes such as new blood vessels, reduced inflammation, improved healing can last weeks, months, or longer, depending on the condition and the number of treatments. Some people need occasional top-up sessions to maintain the effect.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy used for?
- Recovery and repair: our therapy supports tissue oxygenation to help your body’s natural healing response.
- Inflammation control: oxygen under pressure may help reduce inflammation and swelling.
- Circulation support: our enhanced oxygen delivery means HBOT can support blood vessel health and tissue repair.
- Energy and wellbeing: some people report improved energy, mental clarity, or sleep quality following a course of treatments.
- Skin health and ageing support: many of our patients enjoy the treatment for reasons of longevity as increased oxygen delivery may play a role in collagen production and skin repair.
What does it feel like to be in a hyperbaric chamber?
One of our clinical practitioners will help you in and out of the pod safely and check on your comfort. The in-built communication system means you can speak to us and we can speak to you.
The glass lid of the chamber means you can see out at all times. You can relax in the chamber and even choose to experience the built in wellness practice of chromotherapy by selecting the colour from which you’ll benefit most. Our team are always happy to advise.
Is there anything I need to do before and after Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
To help you relax while in the chamber, come in comfortable clothing. Avoid chemicals such as strong perfumes, deodorant and hairspray.
We advise refraining from caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and stimulants before and right after the session.
Are there any Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy side effects?
There are temporary to no side effects. You might feel popping sensations in your ears, similar to what some people experience on an aeroplane, but these resolve within 24 hours. The sensation should be relieved by swallowing and yawning to equalise air pressure in the inner and outer ear.
Our professional medical team always prioritises safety to mitigate potential side effects.
How often should you do hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
At IVBOOST UK, all our therapies are medically led and you can rest assured that the frequency of your treatment is safe and right for you and the reasons you are undertaking the therapy.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be as frequent as everyday. It can also be administered with days, weeks or months in between. Remember, we are medically led in order to benefit your wellness. We may suggest follow up sessions depending on your wellness goals.
Is HBOT safe?
At IVBOOST UK, your safety is our priority. The experience of the therapy is generally relaxing and you are safe in the hands of our experienced clinicians. We carefully evaluate your suitability to the treatments and tailor your sessions based on your medical history, feedback and sensitivities. Many children and elderly patients have used our chambers comfortably.
What are the contraindications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
In short, very few as it’s a non-invasive therapy. Rest assured, during your first consultation at IVBOOST UK, our trained doctors and nurse practitioners will check your medical history and there’ll be time to answer all your questions.
However, the following are contraindications of HBOT:
- Pregnancy
- Untreated pneumothorax
- Severe, unmanaged COPD
- Bullous lung disease
- Certain chemotherapies
Tell me about hyperbaric oxygen therapy and autism
Our clinicians are happy to discuss the suitability of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for use by our autistic patients who may decide they would like to benefit from the range of therapeutic advantages of the treatment.
Tell me about HBOT and hair growth
Our medical professionals can fully discuss evidence about hair growth in your initial consultation. This study suggests that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy post hair transplant surgery may reduce early shedding.
Our team are expertly placed to stack treatments that may benefit hair growth and this can be established in your consultation with us.
Tell me about HBOT and multiple sclerosis
Some people with MS have explored hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the hope that it may ease symptoms. HBOT is not an approved treatment for MS in the UK, but some people report temporary symptom relief such as feeling more relaxed or energised.
Our caring and professional medical team will discuss your needs. You may wish to experience the benefits of HBOT for reasons other than your MS and our team would be delighted to help you in this aim.
What other potential benefits is HBOT being explored for?
Beyond its established clinical uses, the potential of HBOT is being vigorously explored, moving it into new and fascinating areas of health and recuperation.
For instance, in the quest for longevity, research is focusing on its role in combating ageing, investigating its impact on cellular vitality, telomere maintenance, and overall wellness. Furthermore, the therapy is showing promise in managing chronic systemic inflammation due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Crucially, HBOT remains a valuable aid for wound healing, particularly for persistent or slow-healing wounds, by dramatically enhancing oxygen delivery to damaged tissue. From a regenerative perspective, its influence on stem cell function is being explored, specifically its ability to mobilise and support the body’s natural repair mechanisms.
In the high-demand world of professional sport, athletes are turning to HBOT for superior sports performance, using it to accelerate recovery after intense training and manage soft tissue injuries.
Finally, in cosmetic and reconstructive fields, it is being used pre and post-operation in plastic surgery to optimise tissue oxygenation, which may significantly reduce bruising, swelling, and overall recuperation time.
Can hyperbaric oxygen therapy help after a stroke or traumatic brain injury?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been studied as a possible treatment for stroke and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Some small studies suggest that HBOT may improve recovery in individuals who have suffered a stroke, even months or years after the initial event. Similarly, HBOT is being investigated for its potential to aid recovery following a TBI.
Should you wish to enjoy Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as you think it may benefit stroke recovery or TBI recovery, or you would simply like to enjoy some of the wider wellbeing benefits of HBOT, our doctors will explain HBOT’s wellness potentials with you in your initial consultation so that you can make an informed decision alongside our medical team.
Your treatment options and hyperbaric oxygen therapy session times
At IVBOOST, all of our protocols are led by our doctor and nurse practitioners, placing us in an excellent position to advise on the strategic combination of our integrative therapies. Curious about maximising your results? Through an initial consultation, our medical team will create a customised therapeutic strategy, expertly advising on the stacking of our services – such as Infusion therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – to build your optimal protocol and help you maximise your personal wellspring of well-being.
We offer sessions of 30, 60 and 90 minutes duration.
30 minutes: Ideal for those trying the treatment for the first time or those anxious about confined spaces. We recommend multiple sessions in quick succession for the fullest benefits.
60 minutes: Great for general health and well-being. Regular sessions of this length are recommended to achieve fuller benefits.
90 minute sessions: Recommended for patients recovering from illness or injury to achieve optimum healing benefits.
