How Often Should You do Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

by Dr. Kilcup | Mar 27, 2024 | Articles, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This therapy has been used for decades to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Conditions including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and non-healing wounds. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a complementary treatment for a range of other conditions. Conditions from chronic fatigue syndrome to autism.

But how often should you do hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Is there a recommended frequency for therapy sessions? We will look at the things that decide how often hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be done. We will also give advice to people who are thinking about trying this treatment.

Understanding HBOT

Let’s first discuss what hyperbaric oxygen therapy is and how it works before examining its frequency.

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, which can help promote healing and fight infection. The increased pressure also allows oxygen to reach areas of the body that may have reduced blood flow, such as damaged tissues or wounds.

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient goes into a pressurized chamber.

This pressure can be equivalent to diving 33 feet underwater. The person then inhales pure oxygen.

When there is more pressure and oxygen in your body, it can help create new blood vessels, lower swelling, and speed up healing.

It can also help fight bacteria and improve the body’s ability to fight infection.

Factors That Determine Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Frequency

The frequency of HBOT sessions can vary depending on several factors. These include the condition being treated, the severity of the condition, and the person’s response to the therapy.

Condition Specific Treatment

The frequency of HBOT sessions varies depending on the condition being treated. For example, a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning may only need one or two sessions. A patient with a chronic wound may require multiple sessions over a period of weeks or months.

Severity of the Condition

The severity of the condition being treated can also impact the frequency of HBOT sessions. More serious injuries like severe burns or radiation injuries, need more treatment sessions to get the best results.

Individual Response to Therapy

Each individual may respond differently to HBOT. Some may see improvements after just a few sessions, while others may require more sessions to see results. The frequency of therapy sessions may need to be adjusted based on the patient’s response to treatment.

There isn’t one right answer for how often you should do hyperbaric oxygen therapy. But there are some general guidelines to help decide how often you should have therapy sessions.

Acute Conditions

HBOT is given every day for 5-10 days for conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning or decompression sickness.

This frequency may vary depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s response to treatment.

Chronic Conditions

HBOT is used for chronic conditions like non-healing wounds or chronic fatigue syndrome. Typically, healthcare providers administer it 2-5 times a week for 4-6 weeks.

Again, this frequency may vary depending on the response to treatment.

Maintenance Therapy

Some individuals may benefit from maintenance HBOT sessions after completing their initial treatment. This may involve one session per week or every other week, depending on the patient’s needs.

Factors That Can Affect the Frequency of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Apart from the factors already mentioned, other variables can influence the frequency of hyperbaric oxygen therapy needed by an individual.

Age

Age can play a role in how often hyperbaric oxygen therapy is recommended. Older individuals may require more frequent sessions to achieve the same results as younger individuals.

Overall Health

The overall health of the individual can also impact the frequency of therapy sessions. Those with underlying health conditions may require more frequent sessions to see results.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, can also affect the frequency of HBOT. These habits can make therapy less effective and might mean needing more sessions to get the results you want.

How Long Does Each HBOT Session Take?

The duration of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session can vary depending on the condition being treated and the protocol followed by the healthcare provider. On average, a single HBOT session typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes. However, some sessions may last up to 2 hours.

What can you do during hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

There are various activities that can be done during hyperbaric oxygen therapy to pass the time and enhance the overall experience. Some patients choose to listen to music or audiobooks to relax and distract themselves from the enclosed space. Others may opt to meditate or practice deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation and stress relief.

Additionally, some facilities offer the option to watch movies or television shows while undergoing treatment to help pass the time. Overall, engaging in activities that promote relaxation and comfort can make the HBOT session more enjoyable and beneficial.

Start Today!

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be a beneficial treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Therapy sessions can happen more or less depending on the person’s condition, how bad it is, and how well treatment is working. Make sure you talk to a healthcare provider to figure out how often should you do hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a way that is right for you.

With the right frequency and proper treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help improve your overall health and well-being.

Darrell Kilcup, DC, CFMP

Hi there! I’m Dr. Kilcup. You know that health problem you’ve been dealing with – the one that doctors can’t seem to solve, that’s stealing way too much of your time, energy and joy? I can help you get to the bottom that. I am passionate about using the best of science and nutrition to find and fix root causes of health issues. Start your journey towards healing and relief today.

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Overall Rating
5.0 20 reviews
Had a great experience! Staff super friendly and Dr. Kilcup was so nice and knowledgeable. I was taken back right away. Highly recommend.
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Shannon Beebe Avatar
Shannon Beebe
2 weeks ago
Great place organized and efficient.
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Jeriam Amendt Avatar
Jeriam Amendt
3 weeks ago
Great experience with HBOT and photobiomodulation! Felt wonderful after each session. Staff is super helpful, knowledgeable, and made me feel very comfortable. Highly recommended!
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Michelle N Avatar
Michelle N
3 weeks ago
Been going to Dr. Kilcup for 5+ yrs now off and on for chiropractic care. He has a great energy about him, and his family staff are always kind and professional. I had my first real hyperbaric oxygen experience today which was great. I can't attest to "results" yet of course, but the science is clear all the ways it can bring healing to the body. So I am excited this is the first of many treatments! I will do a post review once I get a bunch under my belt. Also, I had never realized Dr. Kilcup was also a functional medicine practitioner. Talk about divine intervention! I have some other health issues to work through, and now I already have the person I have been looking for. Praise Jesus!
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Ben Reynolds Avatar
Ben Reynolds
1 month ago
Had a wound from vascular occlusion on my face and it healed at magic speed after a few sessions of HBOT
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Marissa Marzella Avatar
Marissa Marzella
1 month ago