What it is
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing oxygen while inside a specially designed chamber where the air pressure is higher than normal. Under this increased pressure, the lungs can take in more oxygen than they typically would at regular air pressure.
The idea is that the blood can carry extra oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Oxygen is one of many things the body uses during the natural healing process, and some wounds struggle to get enough of it because of poor circulation or tissue injury.
In the United States, the FDA has cleared hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a specific list of indications. In general terms, these include certain diabetic foot ulcers, radiation-related tissue injury, and certain serious infections, among others. Use for conditions outside those cleared indications is a different matter, and a licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation.
How it’s traditionally been approached
HBOT has traditionally been delivered in a hospital-based or outpatient clinic setting, often under the supervision of physicians and trained technicians. Chambers may be built for one person or for several people at once.
In wound care, it has usually been considered as an addition to other standard approaches rather than a replacement for them. Those approaches commonly include evaluating the wound's cause, cleaning and dressing the wound, relieving pressure, and addressing circulation and infection.
Whether HBOT is considered at all typically depends on the type of wound, how it has responded to other care, and the person's overall health. Coverage rules also vary by payer and diagnosis, so many people find it helpful to ask about this early.
How the right wound care specialist may help
A wound care specialist or hyperbaric medicine provider may begin by learning about your wound's history, your health conditions, and your medications. They may examine the wound, review your circulation, and consider what has or has not helped so far.
From there, the right provider may explain whether hyperbaric oxygen is a reasonable option to discuss in your case, or whether other approaches make more sense. If HBOT is discussed, they can describe in general what a session feels like, such as pressure changes in your ears, and what safety screening is involved.
Questions you might bring: What is causing my wound? How is it staged or classified? Is HBOT an FDA-cleared option for my situation? What are the possible risks? What is the expected healing time? Will my insurance cover it? Results are never guaranteed, and an honest provider will tell you that.
The whole-person view
Healing involves the whole person. Long-lasting wounds can bring pain, worry, disrupted sleep, and frustration, and stress can in turn affect how the body feels and copes. Body, mind, and daily routines all influence one another.
Some people find that body-based support, such as the approaches listed through Somatic Experiences, helps them feel more settled during a long recovery. Others value talking with someone through Therapists.plus about the emotional load of ongoing care. These are complements to medical care, not substitutes for it.
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 for you after an evaluation.
- 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 if a wound is rapidly worsening.
- For emergencies such as 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.
- HBOT is not right for everyone, and outcomes vary. Ask a provider about your wound's cause, staging, treatment options, expected healing time, and insurance coverage.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
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 it normally would. That extra oxygen reaches tissues that may not be getting enough, and oxygen is one of the things the body uses in healing. Whether it is appropriate for you is a decision for a licensed clinician.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy used for in wound care?
It has traditionally been used for FDA-cleared indications such as certain diabetic foot ulcers, radiation-related tissue injury, and certain infections. It is generally considered alongside other standard wound care rather than instead of it. A provider can explain whether your wound fits those indications.
What does a hyperbaric oxygen session feel like?
Many people describe a feeling of fullness in the ears, similar to flying or descending in a car on a mountain road, as pressure increases. Sessions are typically done lying or sitting in the chamber while staff monitor you. Your provider can explain what to expect and how to prepare.
Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy safe?
Like any medical treatment, it carries possible risks, and it is not suitable for everyone. Ear discomfort and other effects can occur, and certain health conditions may make it inappropriate. A licensed provider can screen you and discuss risks before any decision is made.
Does insurance cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Coverage depends on the diagnosis, the payer, and the plan, and it often relates to whether the use is an accepted indication. Ask your provider and your insurer about coverage before starting, including any approval requirements.
Can hyperbaric oxygen therapy guarantee a wound will heal?
No. Results vary from person to person, and no provider can promise a specific outcome. Healing depends on many factors, including the wound's cause, circulation, infection, and overall health. Ask a provider about the expected healing time for your situation.
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.