Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT is a medical treatment that enhances the body’s natural healing process by providing 100% pure oxygen to a patient in a chamber where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled.

Every cell of the body is dependent upon oxygen for the growth, repair, and preservation of cellular functioning. Oxygen is also crucial for proper and efficient healing of most injuries. The increased oxygen intake provided by HBOT assists the body’s natural healing ability.

How does HBOT Work?

The word hyperbaric means “atmospheric pressure greater than sea level”. The air we normally breathe only contains 19-21% oxygen. Throughout Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatment, patients breathe 100% pure oxygen, which produces an increase of up to 2000% in the amount of oxygen carried by the blood.

Under typical circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the body only by red blood cells. Because HBOT forces oxygen into the body under pressure, oxygen dissolves into all of the body’s fluids, including the plasma, the Lymph, and the cerebrospinal fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These fluids can carry the extra oxygen even to areas where circulation is poor or blocked, either by trickling past the blockages or by seeping into the affected area. In this way, more oxygen can reach damaged tissues and the body has a greater opportunity to support its own healing.

Because HBOT enables more oxygen to be delivered to the organs and tissues in the body, a more efficient healing of a wide range of conditions may be possible.

Extra oxygen facilitates the healing process and enhances the body’s white blood cells’ ability to fight infection. It can promote the development of new capillaries, the tiny blood vessels that connect arteries to veins. It also helps the body build new connective tissue. Consequently, HBOT may assist the body’s organs in functioning more efficiently altogether.

What does HBOT feel like?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is safe, non-invasive and found to be very effective in the healing process. During each treatment or “dive”, patients rest comfortably in a spacious, glass-enclosed hyperbaric oxygen chamber. While some may experience a slight pressure in their ears - similar to that felt during a descent on an airplane - most patients experience little to no side effects.

Patients are under the constant surveillance of medical technicians whom they can communicate freely with throughout their treatment. While in the chamber, most patients are able to relax, listen to music, watch a DVD or even fall asleep.

How many treatments are needed?

Every patient is unique and individually evaluated according to their condition and response to therapy to determine the number of treatments needed. The average patient typically requires 30-40 dives, each of which lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Is HBOT for me?

HBOT is a non-invasive, painless, and effective treatment for a variety of conditions.

There are currently 13 conditions treatable with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which are approved by the FDA in the U.S. However, there are numerous "off-label" uses for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that doctors may prescribe, many of which are documented with scientific evidence that is stronger than that of the FDA approved conditions.

FDA Approved Conditions Treatable with HBOT

The following is a list of the 13 conditions that are FDA approved for treatment with HBOT.
These conditions are typically reimbursed by insurance and include:

The following is a list of "off-label" conditions that are treated by medical professionals using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:

With our highly skilled staff and state-of-the-art equipment, Hyperbaric Medicine of New York is fully equipped to offer you a quality, effective Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatment program.

We welcome any questions you may have about our services. For more information, please call Hyperbaric Medicine of New York at (516) 487-1902.