What does HBOT treatment feel like? In this article, we’ll walk you through each stage of treatment and everything that happens to your body. You’ll also learn about the overall relaxing experience, ensuring you feel prepared and at ease before your session.
Key Takeaways
- The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy process begins with an initial consultation and thorough pre-treatment assessment to tailor the treatment plan and ensure patient safety.
- During HBOT sessions, patients breathe pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber, facilitating healing by enhancing tissue oxygenation and promoting overall well-being.
- Post-treatment evaluations and comprehensive aftercare are crucial for monitoring recovery and ensuring the long-term benefits of HBOT, while specific safety measures are implemented to address comfort and potential health risks.
Arriving for Your First Treatment
When you arrive at the clinic, you’ll be warmly greeted and introduced to your HBOT therapist. This initial meeting lets the therapist guide you through the process and ensure your comfort.
After the introductions, you’ll be asked to change into a 100% cotton gown provided by the clinic, which helps maintain hygiene and comfort throughout your session. With your gown and initial assessment on, you’re ready to embark on your HBOT journey.
Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is a crucial step in your HBOT experience. During this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your treatment expectations and any concerns you might have. It’s also the time to delve into your medical history and treatment goals with a healthcare provider.
This consultation ensures that HBOT is suitable for you and sets the stage for a tailored treatment plan, which may span several sessions to achieve the desired outcomes.
Pre-Treatment Assessment
A thorough pre-treatment assessment evaluates your overall health, age, and specific medical conditions. You’ll discuss any medications, medical implants, and potential side effects. Vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate are monitored to ensure your safety and readiness.
This comprehensive assessment tailors the HBOT session to your individual needs.
Entering the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber
Stepping into the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chamber is the first step on your path to healing. Whether you’re in a monoplace or multiplace hyperbaric chamber, the pressurised environment helps enhance the effects of breathing pure oxygen, supporting your body’s recovery. As the door closes and pressure increases, your healthcare team will closely monitor you to ensure both your safety and comfort. At OXY+, we prioritise your well-being at every stage of the process, ensuring that each session is both effective and reassuring.
Inside the Monoplace Chamber
The monoplace hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, designed for individual treatments, is a transparent tube with large viewing windows, offering a clear view outside to help ease any feelings of claustrophobia. This spacious, open design promotes a sense of calm and relaxation, helping you focus on your treatment.
Using the BIBS Mask
During HBOT, you’ll wear a BIBS mask that delivers 100% medical-grade oxygen. The mask is designed to fit comfortably, ensuring you receive the full therapeutic benefits of oxygen while feeling at ease throughout your session. With the mask in place, you can simply relax and allow the treatment to work towards your healing goals.
What to Expect During HBOT Sessions
During a typical HBOT session, which can last from 45 minutes to several hours, the healthcare team will closely monitor you to ensure everything goes smoothly. It’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive before your first treatment, but knowing what to expect can ease your mind.
The session is divided into several stages, including pressure adjustments, breathing pure oxygen, and engaging in relaxing activities.
Pressure Adjustments
As the pressurised chamber pressurises, you might experience a sensation of fullness in your ears, similar to what you feel when flying or scuba diving. This is due to the increased atmospheric pressure in the chamber, which can cause a hissing sound as the air pressure changes.
Therapists will guide you on techniques like yawning or swallowing to relieve ear pressure. These carefully managed adjustments are not painful and aim to avoid discomfort.
Breathing Pure Oxygen
Once the chamber reaches the desired pressure, you’ll start breathing 100% medical-grade oxygen. Breathing pure oxygen enhances the body’s natural healing processes, promotes tissue repair, and reduces swelling in damaged areas.
The immediate effects of breathing pure oxygen can include increased energy and a sense of well-being, making each session a rejuvenating experience with extra oxygen.
Relaxation and Activities
While undergoing treatment, you may engage in various activities to pass the time comfortably. Patients often watch television, listen to music, or even take a nap. These activities help you relax and enhance the treatment experience.
The calm and serene environment of the chamber, combined with these relaxing activities, enhances the overall therapeutic effect.
Completing Your HBOT Session
At the end of your HBOT session, the pressure inside the chamber is gradually reduced to allow your body to adjust safely. This process, known as decompression, ensures you transition back to normal air pressure comfortably.
After exiting the chamber, the medical team will evaluate your condition to ensure everything is in order before you leave. It’s recommended that you have someone drive you home after your session to ensure your safety.
Gradual Decompression
The decompression phase lasts about ten minutes, during which the pressure inside the chamber decreases slowly. You might feel a slight fullness or popping sensation in your ears, similar to what you experienced during pressurisation. Engaging in ear-clearing exercises, such as swallowing or yawning, can help alleviate any discomfort during this phase.
The gradual decompression process is designed to ensure your safety and comfort, preventing issues such as decompression sickness.
Post-Treatment Assessment
After the session, a thorough post-treatment assessment is conducted to monitor your recovery. This includes checking vital signs like blood pressure and pulse and examining your ears for any signs of trauma. These assessments ensure you have safely completed the treatment and are ready to go home.
Having someone drive you home after the session is highly recommended for your well-being.
Post-Treatment Feelings and Aftercare
After completing your HBOT session, you might feel a range of immediate effects. Feeling tired or hungry is common, and some patients might experience mild side effects like headaches. The treatment concludes with a gradual decrease in pressure, followed by a post-session assessment to ensure your safety.
At OXY+, your session concludes with a comprehensive aftercare to support your recovery and enhance the long-term benefits of HBOT.
Immediate Effects
After your first treatment, feeling sleepy or hungry is normal. The therapy promotes healing by stimulating the production of new collagen and skin cells, leading to a sense of relaxation and well-being.
Additionally, HBOT helps reduce swelling in damaged tissues, further contributing to healing.
Long-Term Benefits
The long-term benefits of HBOT are impressive. The therapy stimulates the release of growth factors and stem cells, which significantly aid in the healing process. By increasing oxygen delivery to injured tissues, HBOT supports quicker and more efficient healing. The increased oxygen concentration in tissues also improves the body’s response to infections and reduces swelling.
Regular sessions normalise tissue oxygen levels, promoting sustained recovery even after treatment ends.
Comprehensive Aftercare
At OXY+, we offer comprehensive aftercare designed to support your ongoing recovery and maximise the benefits of each session. This includes post-treatment evaluations to monitor your progress and ensure optimal healing. Since multiple sessions are often needed to achieve the full benefits of HBOT, our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of care throughout your treatment journey.
Our aftercare services are tailored to enhance the therapeutic effects of HBOT, helping you achieve the best possible outcomes for your health and well-being.
Safety and Comfort Measures
Safety and comfort are paramount during HBOT sessions. OXY+ follows strict safety protocols, including monitoring patients for signs of unease and providing immediate support when needed. To ensure a safe environment, patients are advised to refrain from smoking for at least two hours before and after their session. Additionally, wearing jewellery, nail polish, and synthetic materials is prohibited, and lighters or battery-powered devices are not allowed in the chamber.
Managing Claustrophobia
For patients who might feel claustrophobic, therapists are trained to provide anxiety-relieving strategies and can reduce pressure to remove the patient from the chamber if necessary. Additionally, the hyperbaric chambers are designed with transparent walls, which help reduce feelings of confinement by providing visibility.
These measures ensure that even those with claustrophobia can undergo HBOT comfortably.
Ensuring Comfort
Communication systems within the hyperbaric oxygen chambers allow patients to stay in constant contact with therapists, providing reassurance throughout the treatment. The chambers are designed for maximum visibility, enhancing comfort by allowing patients to see outside.
Therapists are always available to adjust the chamber’s conditions and monitor patients closely to address any discomfort promptly, ensuring a comfortable and secure experience.
Tips to Prepare for Your HBOT Session
Proper preparation plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth and effective hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session. We recommend new clients arrive 10-minutes before their first appointment.
We also advise against using petroleum-based hair and skincare products, as these may need to be removed before your session. Wearing 100% cotton undergarments under the provided gown is encouraged for added comfort.
Attire Guidelines
To ensure safety during your session, we provide 100% cotton clothing for all patients. If you need to wear any support braces or similar devices, these must be approved by the attending technician before use. Following these attire guidelines helps prevent potential hazards and enhances your comfort throughout the session.
Dietary Tips
Having a balanced meal before your HBOT session is recommended to keep you feeling energised and comfortable. However, try to avoid carbonated beverages and caffeine immediately prior to the session, as these can lead to discomfort during the pressurisation phase. These dietary tips help ensure you have the best possible experience during your therapy.
When to Reschedule Your Treatment
There are certain instances where you might need to reschedule your HBOT session. Recent surgeries or specific medical conditions may require postponing treatment. It’s important to monitor any health changes and consult with your healthcare provider to determine if it’s safe to proceed with HBOT.
Health Changes to Consider
Certain conditions, like recent ear surgery, lung disease, colds, fevers, or certain lung diseases, can affect your ability to undergo HBOT. Since the most common complication is trauma to the middle ear, discussing any concerns with your healthcare provider is essential. At OXY+, your safety is our priority, and we encourage open communication with our team to ensure you’re fully prepared and safe during your treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect during my first HBOT session?
You should expect to meet your HBOT therapist for an initial consultation and pre-treatment assessment. The session will involve pressure adjustments, inhaling pure oxygen, and participating in relaxing activities.
What are the immediate effects after an HBOT session?
The immediate effects after a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session typically include feelings of tiredness, hunger, or relaxation, and some patients may experience mild side effects such as headaches. It is essential to monitor these effects as they can vary among individuals.
Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treat Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Yes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. According to the Hyperbaric Medical Society, this therapy helps restore oxygen levels and repair damage to blood vessels caused by the poisoning.
When should I reschedule my HBOT session?
You should reschedule your HBOT session if you have had recent surgeries or experienced health changes such as ear surgery, injury, cold, fever, or lung diseases. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised guidance.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) offers a powerful and effective solution for a wide range of medical conditions, promoting healing and recovery through the therapeutic use of pure oxygen. At OXY+, we are committed to guiding you through every step of your HBOT journey—from your initial consultation to the comprehensive aftercare—ensuring your safety, comfort, and overall well-being.
By understanding what to expect during each stage, you can confidently approach your sessions, knowing that you are in caring, professional hands. Embrace the transformative healing potential of HBOT and discover how it can improve your health and quality of life.
We invite you to schedule a consultation at OXY+ today to take the first step toward healing. Let us help you on your journey to better health.
