Everything you need to know about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

HBOT is a treatment in which you breathe pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The increased pressure allows your lungs to take in significantly more oxygen than at normal air pressure, which the blood then carries throughout the body to support healing and recovery.

Inside the chamber, air pressure is raised above normal atmospheric levels. Under this pressure, oxygen dissolves more readily into the blood plasma, reaching tissues that may be difficult to supply under ordinary conditions and promoting cellular repair.

Reported benefits include faster wound healing, reduced inflammation, improved recovery after physical exertion, and support for a range of medical conditions. The specific benefits depend on the indication and should be discussed with a qualified professional.

Four main types are in use: monoplace chambers for a single person, multiplace chambers that treat several people at once, soft-sided (mild) chambers for portable and home-based use, and hypobaric chambers that simulate altitude for training purposes. Which type fits depends on the intended setting and the pressure required.

When carried out with certified equipment and trained supervision, HBOT is generally considered safe. As with any therapy there are contraindications and possible side effects, so a professional assessment is recommended before starting treatment.

Mild HBOT at lower pressures is mostly used outside clinical settings - by wellness users, by athletes supporting their recovery, and by people looking for a gentle, non-invasive addition to their routine. For any medical condition, treatment belongs in professional hands - speak to a qualified practitioner first.

Yes - soft-sided chambers are designed for home use and typically operate at lower pressures of around 1.3-1.5 ATA. They are the most accessible entry point into hyperbaric therapy; make sure the equipment is certified and follow the manufacturer's safety instructions.

Depending on the region: FDA 510(k) clearance in the USA, CE marking and EUDAMED registration in Europe, plus engineering standards such as ASME PVHO-1 and ISO 13485 for quality management. Most importantly: verify the claims. On HBOT-Wiki, every certification is checked against the official registers and marked as either register-verified or manufacturer-stated.

Key factors include the intended use (home, clinical, or commercial), the operating pressure, build quality and certifications, manufacturer reputation, and after-sales support. Our comparisons and buying guides are designed to help you weigh these factors objectively.

Right here: our Brands & Manufacturers section compares 16 manufacturers worldwide - with every certification checked against the FDA and EUDAMED registers, never on marketing claims alone.