What it is
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, often shortened to HBOT, involves breathing oxygen while in a chamber where the air pressure is higher than normal. The chamber may be a single-person unit or a larger room-sized unit that holds several people. Sessions are given at a medical facility under professional supervision.
In wound care, the idea behind HBOT is that tissues need oxygen to repair themselves, and some wounds have trouble getting enough. Breathing oxygen under increased pressure raises the amount of oxygen carried in the blood. A clinician may consider this for specific wound types when other approaches have not been enough.
HBOT is FDA-cleared for a specific list of conditions. In general terms, these include certain diabetic foot ulcers, radiation tissue injury, and certain serious infections, among others. It is not cleared for every wound or every condition, so the first question for any provider is whether your particular wound qualifies.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Hyperbaric chambers have a long history in medicine, and HBOT is widely recognized in hospital and wound center settings. It has traditionally been offered as an add-on to standard wound care rather than a replacement for it.
Standard wound care often includes evaluating the cause of the wound, cleaning and removing unhealthy tissue, managing infection, protecting the area with appropriate dressings, and addressing circulation, pressure and blood sugar where relevant. HBOT, when appropriate, has typically been considered alongside these steps.
Because HBOT involves specialized equipment and repeated visits, it is usually coordinated through a hospital outpatient department or a dedicated wound and hyperbaric center. Coverage often depends on the diagnosis and on the payer, so the approach can differ from person to person.
How the right wound care specialist may help
A wound care specialist or hyperbaric physician may help by first looking at the whole picture: what caused the wound, how long it has been present, how it looks, and what other health conditions may affect healing. This candidacy evaluation is how a clinician decides whether HBOT is a reasonable option to discuss, or whether other approaches make more sense.
A visit generally includes a review of your medical history and medications, an examination of the wound, and possibly tests to check circulation or look for infection. The clinician may also talk with you about what a chamber session feels like, any risks or reasons it might not be suitable, and how it fits with the rest of your care. Whether you are a candidate is always a decision for a licensed clinician after an evaluation.
Helpful questions to ask a licensed provider include: What is the cause and stage of my wound? Does my wound fall under an FDA-cleared indication for HBOT? What other treatment options exist? What is the expected healing time? What are the possible risks? Will my insurance cover it? Outcomes vary, and no provider can promise a particular result.
The whole-person view
Healing is not only about the wound itself. Sleep, nutrition, stress, pain, mobility and emotional well-being all interact with the body's ability to recover. A long-lasting wound can also be discouraging, and that strain can affect daily routines and self-care. Some people find that body-based support such as Somatic Experiences helps them feel more settled while they manage a long recovery.
Needing repeated chamber visits, or being in an enclosed space, can feel stressful for some people. Talking with a supportive professional, such as a therapist through Therapists.plus, may help with worry, adjustment or feeling confined. Mentioning these feelings to your care team is also worthwhile, as they can explain what to expect and help you feel more at ease.
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 hyperbaric oxygen therapy is appropriate after an evaluation; this page is educational and not medical advice.
- Seek medical care promptly for signs of infection, such as spreading redness, red streaking, increasing warmth or pain, pus, foul odor, fever or chills, or for a wound that is rapidly getting worse.
- Call 911 or go to the ER for heavy bleeding, exposed bone or tendon, signs of sepsis, or a deep or severely contaminated wound, such as from a serious accident.
- If you are in emotional crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Insurance coverage and eligibility vary, so ask your provider and payer about your situation.
HBOT is FDA-cleared for a specific list of conditions, including certain diabetic foot ulcers and radiation injury — ask whether your wound qualifies.
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Frequently asked questions
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound healing?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy wound healing refers to using HBOT, in which a person breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber, as part of care for certain hard-to-heal wounds. The goal is to increase the oxygen available to tissues. It is typically used alongside standard wound care, and only a licensed clinician can decide if it is appropriate.
Who is an HBOT candidate?
An HBOT candidate is someone whose condition falls under an FDA-cleared indication and who a clinician decides can safely receive treatment. Examples of cleared indications in general terms include certain diabetic foot ulcers and radiation tissue injury. A candidacy evaluation by a licensed provider is the only way to know if you qualify.
Is hyperbaric chamber treatment FDA-cleared for all wounds?
No, hyperbaric chamber treatment is FDA-cleared only for a specific list of conditions. It is not cleared for every wound or health concern. Ask your provider whether your wound's cause and type fall within a cleared indication.
What is a hyperbaric oxygen session like?
Sessions take place at a medical facility, where you rest in a chamber while breathing oxygen under supervision. Many people describe a feeling of fullness in the ears, similar to changes during a flight. Your care team can explain the details, what to wear and any precautions that apply to you.
Does insurance cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Coverage varies by diagnosis, facility and payer, so there is no single answer. Coverage is often tied to whether the condition is an accepted indication and whether specific criteria are met. Ask both your provider and your insurer what is covered before starting.
What should I ask a wound care specialist about HBOT?
Ask about your wound's cause and staging, whether it qualifies for HBOT, what other treatment options exist, what risks apply to you, the expected healing time, and how insurance coverage works. It can also help to ask how HBOT would fit with the rest of your wound care. Results vary and cannot be guaranteed.
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.