In a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session, you breathe pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber to aid healing. This article explains each stage, from arrival, assessment, and treatment to post-care. Discover what happens during a HBOT session.
Key Takeaways
- A hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session involves multiple stages, including health assessments, preparation, therapy, and aftercare, each essential for safety and effectiveness.
- OXY+ uses medical-grade equipment and provides comprehensive care to maximise the benefits of HBOT, offering treatments for various conditions while ensuring patient comfort and safety.
- Post-treatment care and long-term follow-up are crucial for optimising recovery and therapeutic outcomes, as clients may experience fatigue and need guidance on managing their recovery process.
What Happens During a HBOT Session: A Detailed Guide
A hyperbaric oxygen therapy session is carefully structured to maximise the therapeutic benefits of breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised environment. From the moment you step into the hyperbaric oxygen therapy room, you’ll be guided through a series of steps that ensure you’re comfortable, safe, and well-prepared for the treatment, as endorsed by the Hyperbaric Medical Society.
The process involves several stages: arriving and checking in, undergoing a health assessment, preparing for the session, entering the chamber, experiencing the therapy, and completing the session with aftercare. Each stage is integral to the therapy’s effectiveness and well-being.
Compassionate Care and Advanced Healing: Discover Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, OXY+ is committed to providing high-quality hyperbaric oxygen therapy that prioritises your health and comfort. We utilise state-of-the-art medical-grade chambers and specialised masks to ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Our dedication to safety and evidence-based practices guarantees you the best care tailored to your unique needs.
As part of our commitment to your healing journey, we offer ongoing support, monitoring your recovery and addressing any persistent symptoms after therapy. You are always welcome to take advantage of our free consultation, where you can learn more about the benefits and process of HBOT before making any commitments.
Whether you seek to enhance athletic performance, heal chronic wounds, or alleviate brain fog, our flexible and adaptable treatments at OXY+ cater to a wide range of health needs. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Arriving for Your HBOT Session
When you arrive for your hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session, we want you to feel welcomed and supported from the moment you step in. Your journey begins with a warm greeting from our dedicated staff, who will guide you through the check-in process. Being well-prepared is essential, so we’ll explain what to expect during your HBOT sessions. This preparation helps ensure you feel fully informed and ready for the journey ahead.
Check-In Process
As you arrive, you’ll meet with the technician and undergo your consultation and check in. This is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions related to your treatment.
Throughout the check-in, our technician will familiarise you with the facility and explain what you can expect during your sessions. We want to address any concerns you may have, ensuring you feel at ease and confident as you begin your treatment.
Our staff will also review treatment costs with you. We value transparency and want to help you understand how your health plan and specific conditions may affect the overall cost. Being well-informed about the financial aspects of your treatment is an important part of your preparation.
Health Assessment
Before starting your hyperbaric oxygen therapy session, we will conduct a thorough health assessment. This pre-treatment evaluation is vital for identifying any conditions that could impact your safety during therapy. We will check your vital signs, including your blood pressure and pulse, to confirm that you are ready for treatment.
If you are a diabetic patient, monitoring your blood glucose levels will be an important part of this assessment. By reviewing your medical history and current health status, our experts can tailor the treatment to your specific needs, ensuring you have a safe and effective experience.
Preparing for the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Once your health assessment is complete, we’ll move on to preparing for your hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session. This preparation is essential to ensure your safety and comfort throughout the therapy.
Follow Pre-Treatment Instructions
Upon booking your appointment you will receive a what to expect guide, this will cover what to wear, bring and what will happen during your treatment. There are several important pre-treatment instructions you’ll need to follow before entering the hyperbaric chamber. These guidelines help us maintain a safe environment for everyone:
- Remove Metal Objects and Electronics: Before entering the chamber, please remove any metal objects or electronic devices. This precaution is necessary to prevent any potential sparks in the high-oxygen environment.
- Review Skin Care Products: Our medical professionals will discuss any skin care products you use, as some may be flammable in a hyperbaric environment.
- Avoid Jewellery and Cosmetics: Please remove all jewellery and refrain from using cosmetics, perfumes, hair sprays, deodorants, and body oils on the day of your session.
- Limit Alcohol and Certain Beverages: We advise avoiding alcohol for at least four hours prior to your session, as well as carbonated beverages and caffeine.
- Eat Lightly: It’s best to have a light meal one to two hours before your session to ensure your comfort during therapy.
By following these pre-treatment instructions, you’re helping to create a safe and effective treatment environment. This allows you to concentrate fully on the healing benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Entering the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber
With your pre-treatment preparations complete, it’s time to step into the hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber. At OXY+, we use a monoplace chamber designed for single-occupant use. This personalised approach ensures that you receive the focused attention and care you deserve throughout your treatment.
Your Journey Begins
As you enter the chamber, your therapist will close the door and initiate the pressurisation process. The chamber is specifically designed to create a high-oxygen environment, allowing you to breathe pure oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure. This unique setup enhances healing by delivering more oxygen to your tissues, promoting recovery and well-being. Rest assured, your comfort and safety are our top priorities, and your therapist will be there to monitor you closely throughout the session.
Getting Comfortable in the Monoplace Chamber
Once inside, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. The chamber is equipped with specialised medical oxygen masks that effectively deliver hyperbaric oxygen’s therapeutic benefits. For your safety, electronic devices are not allowed inside the chamber, helping to create a distraction-free environment focused solely on your healing journey.
The design of the monoplace chamber at OXY+ ensures that you have a safe and soothing experience during your hyperbaric oxygen therapy session. This supportive atmosphere enhances the effectiveness of the therapy, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Using Medical BIBS Masks
During your therapy session, you’ll wear a medical BIBS mask to breathe pure oxygen. These masks are specially designed to deliver oxygen in a controlled manner, ensuring maximum efficacy. At OXY+, we use only medical-grade oxygen with greater than 99% purity, delivered through these specialised masks.
Using BIBS masks allows you to receive the full therapeutic benefits of hyperbaric oxygen. Breathing in pure oxygen through these masks supports your body’s natural healing processes and improves your overall recovery outcomes.
The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Session
Your hyperbaric oxygen therapy session typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the purpose of your treatment. During this time, you’ll lie comfortably in the chamber, breathing pure oxygen. As the chamber is slowly pressurised, you might hear a gentle hissing sound as oxygen fills the space, setting the stage for your healing journey.
Due to pressure changes, you may experience a fullness or popping sensation in your ears, similar to what you feel during a flight. This is a normal part of the process, and our therapists are here to support you every step of the way. Throughout the session, you can communicate with your therapist via a telephone communication system inside the chamber, ensuring that any concerns or discomforts are addressed promptly.
Gradual Pressure Increase
In the first 10 minutes of your session, the chamber pressure will steadily increase. This gradual rise is closely monitored to ensure a safe and effective treatment. You might notice your ears adjusting during this time, much like the feeling during ascent or descent on an aeroplane.
This gradual pressure increase is vital for achieving the therapeutic benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. If you experience any discomfort, your therapist will provide guidance on techniques like yawning, swallowing, or gently blowing your nose to relieve ear pressure. Rest assured, our team will carefully monitor your comfort, making sure you feel supported throughout the process.
Breathing Pure Oxygen
As you settle into your session, you’ll breathe normally while pure oxygen is administered. In this pressurised environment, breathing pure oxygen enhances your body’s healing by increasing oxygen delivery to your tissues. This continuous flow of oxygen supports cellular repair and regeneration, promoting faster recovery.
Completing the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Session
As your session comes to an end, the chamber pressure will gradually decrease over 5 to 10 minutes. This systematic reduction helps your body acclimate safely and comfortably back to normal atmospheric levels, preventing potential complications.
Once the pressure returns to normal, your therapist will open the chamber and conduct a post-treatment health check. We also take time to manage any ear pressure issues and address feelings of claustrophobia, ensuring you have a smooth and comfortable conclusion to your session.
Gradual Decrease in Pressure
Returning to normal air pressure levels is crucial for safety and comfort post-treatment. Careful management ensures a smooth and well-tolerated transition out of the hyperbaric environment, concluding the therapy session safely and effectively.
Post-Treatment Health Check
After the session, a post-treatment health check ensures you are stable before discharge, including evaluating vital signs like blood pressure, pulse, and ears. The therapist will assess your condition and address any immediate concerns.
Arrange for someone to drive you home after the session, as you may feel lightheaded. This precaution ensures your safety and allows you to focus on recovery.
The post-treatment health check is critical in the HBOT process, ensuring you leave the facility in good health and ready to continue recovery.
Managing Ear Pressure
Managing ear pressure is crucial when inside hyperbaric oxygen chambers. Therapists teach techniques like yawning, sipping water, or holding your nose and swallowing to relieve the fullness or popping sensation caused by pressure changes.
Effectively managing ear pressure ensures a more comfortable session. Therapist guidance minimises discomfort, allowing you to focus on the treatment’s therapeutic benefits.
Proper ear pressure management is essential for a successful session.
Handling Claustrophobia
If you have concerns about claustrophobia, know that OXY+ hyperbaric chambers are designed with large glass windows to help alleviate any anxiety. The chamber can be opened within 30 seconds if needed, and our specialists will assist you with breathing techniques to help you stay calm. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities, and we’re here to support you with anxiety-relieving strategies and reassurance throughout your session.
Aftercare and Recovery
Your journey doesn’t end when the hyperbaric oxygen therapy session concludes. Immediate post-treatment care is essential for your recovery. By following specific aftercare guidelines provided, you can enhance your healing process and promote effective recovery.
Immediate Post-Treatment Care
After your session, it’s common to feel a bit tired or hungry. Your body has just undergone a therapeutic experience, and it’s important to listen to what it needs. Resting and hydrating are crucial during this time, so don’t hesitate to take a break and enjoy a light meal.
At OXY+, we support you with comprehensive aftercare and guidelines designed to help you manage these immediate post-treatment effects. By following these recommendations, you can ensure a smooth recovery and maximise the benefits of your therapy.
Taking care of yourself immediately after treatment is vital for promoting healing and achieving the best possible outcomes from your session. Remember, your well-being is our priority.
This ongoing support is essential for maximising the therapeutic benefits of your treatment and ensuring a successful recovery. We’re committed to being with you every step of the way, providing the guidance and care you need to achieve your health goals.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance your overall well-being. By breathing pure oxygen in a controlled, pressurised environment, this therapy increases oxygen delivery to your tissues, promoting faster healing and recovery. Whether you’re dealing with chronic wounds, optimising your athletic abilities, decompression sickness, or carbon monoxide poisoning, you can expect to experience profound improvements in your health.
In addition to promoting healing, HBOT helps reduce inflammation and improve oxygenation in damaged tissues, supporting cellular repair and regeneration. Many patients notice both immediate benefits and ongoing improvements after completing a series of sessions. The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is well-documented, making it a valuable tool for enhancing your health and vitality.
Enhanced Healing
One of the standout benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is its ability to significantly increase the amount of oxygen delivered to your body’s tissues. This way, hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps expedite the healing of wounds and injuries, stimulating crucial cellular functions, improving collagen formation, and promoting the growth of new blood vessels. This robust support system helps your body’s natural healing processes, minimising recovery time and improving outcomes.
HBOT is particularly effective for treating chronic wounds, severe anaemia, and other conditions where tissue damage is a concern.
Improved Immune Response
Your immune system plays a vital role in your overall health, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy serves as an essential tool for enhancing its function. By increasing oxygen delivery to tissues, HBOT promotes the activity of oxygen-dependent immune cells, boosting your body’s ability to fight off infections. This enhanced immune response can help reduce the severity and duration of illnesses, allowing you to feel your best more quickly.
Moreover, HBOT has been shown to reduce inflammation by decreasing tissue hypoxia, which often exacerbates inflammatory conditions. With improved immune function and reduced inflammation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy contributes significantly to your overall health and resilience against infections.
