What it is
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, where the air pressure is higher than normal. Under these conditions, the blood can carry more oxygen than it usually does at everyday pressure.
Oxygen is one of the things body tissues use during repair. When circulation is limited or tissue has been injured, a wound area may receive less oxygen than it needs. The idea behind HBOT is that raising oxygen levels in the blood may support the body's own repair processes in certain situations.
In the United States, the FDA has cleared hyperbaric oxygen for a defined list of indications. In wound care, these generally include certain diabetic foot ulcers, radiation-related tissue injury, and certain serious infections, among others. Use for conditions outside cleared indications is a different matter, and a licensed clinician should explain where a proposed use falls.
How it’s traditionally been approached
HBOT has traditionally been delivered in hospital-based or specialized outpatient programs. Some centers use single-person chambers, while others use larger rooms that hold several people at once. Sessions are typically supervised by trained staff.
In wound care, HBOT is generally considered an add-on to other care rather than a stand-alone approach. Wound care teams commonly look at the underlying cause of a wound, blood flow, infection, pressure, nutrition, and dressings and debridement as part of the bigger picture.
Candidacy is usually decided after an evaluation. Clinicians may consider the wound type, its history, other treatments already tried, overall health, and whether any conditions make chamber treatment unsuitable. Because this varies from person to person, general descriptions cannot predict who will or will not qualify.
How the right wound care specialist may help
The right wound care specialist may help by first working out why a wound is not healing, then discussing whether HBOT is one of several options worth considering. A visit often includes a review of your history, a look at the wound, and conversation about circulation, blood sugar, medications, and past treatments.
If HBOT is discussed, a provider may explain what a session is generally like, how the chamber works, and what side effects or risks exist. Not everyone is a good fit, and a licensed clinician makes that decision after an evaluation.
Helpful questions to ask include: What is causing my wound, and how is it staged? Is my wound within an FDA-cleared indication for HBOT? What other options exist? What is the expected healing time, and how will progress be measured? Will my insurance cover it, and what does the facility need from me for coverage review?
The whole-person view
Wounds that take a long time to heal can be tiring and stressful. Sleep, stress, pain, and daily routines all interact with the body's healing, and worry about a wound can in turn make life feel harder. Looking at the whole person is often part of good care.
Some people find that body-based support such as Somatic Experiences helps them work with stress held in the body during a long recovery. Others value talk therapy through Therapists.plus to process the emotional side of chronic health challenges. These are complementary options, and neither replaces medical wound care.
Somatic Experiences: trauma and emotional healing →Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →Therapists.plus: mind body connection →
Keep in mind
- Only a licensed clinician can decide whether HBOT or any other treatment is appropriate after an evaluation; nothing here is medical advice.
- Seek medical care promptly for signs of infection: spreading redness, red streaking, increasing warmth or pain, pus, foul odor, fever, or chills, or if a wound is rapidly worsening.
- For heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, signs of sepsis, or a deep or severely contaminated wound, call 911 or go to the ER. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
- Coverage and requirements for HBOT vary by payer, diagnosis, and facility, so ask your provider and insurer about your specific situation. Results are never guaranteed.
Guides in this topic
Wound care specialist types
Frequently asked questions
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by having you breathe oxygen in a pressurized chamber so your blood can carry more oxygen than normal. This extra oxygen may support the body's natural repair processes in certain wounds. Whether it is appropriate for you is a decision for a licensed clinician.
Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help wound healing?
It may support healing in certain situations, mainly those within FDA-cleared indications, but it is not a guarantee and is not right for every wound. It is usually used alongside standard wound care rather than instead of it. Ask a provider about your wound's cause and expected healing time.
Who are HBOT candidates for a diabetic ulcer?
Candidacy for a diabetic ulcer is decided by a licensed clinician after an evaluation. Providers generally consider the wound's severity and history, what treatments have already been tried, and your overall health. Ask whether your ulcer falls within an FDA-cleared indication.
Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy used for radiation injury?
Yes, radiation-related tissue injury is one of the conditions for which hyperbaric oxygen is FDA-cleared in general terms. Whether it suits a particular person depends on their situation and a clinician's evaluation. Your care team can explain the options and what to expect.
Is HBOT covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on the payer, the diagnosis, and the facility, so there is no single answer. Insurers often look at whether the condition is a recognized indication and whether documentation requirements are met. Ask your provider and your insurer about coverage before starting.
What happens in a hyperbaric chamber for wound care?
In a hyperbaric chamber for wound care, you rest while breathing oxygen under increased pressure, with trained staff nearby. Facilities explain the process, safety steps, and possible side effects beforehand. Ask your provider what a session would be like for you.
Educational resource. WoundKare shares general information and connects people with independent wound care specialists. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.