Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposing the body to 100 percent oxygen at a pressure that is greater than what you normally experience. Wounds need oxygen to heal properly, and exposing a wound to 100 percent oxygen often speeds the healing process.
What to Expect During Therapy
- You will likely be asked to wear a medical gown that is 100 percent cotton.
- You will lie on a table that slides into a clear plastic tube that’s about 7 feet long.
- You will be asked to relax and breathe normally during the procedure. You can watch TV or listen to music.
- You will be able to talk to the therapist at any time during the treatment, and the therapist can see you and talk to you at all times
- The chamber will be sealed and then filled with pressurized oxygen.
- The pressure will rise to 2.5 times the normal air pressure, and you may experience some ear popping or mild discomfort. This is completely normal.
- The session will last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
- After the therapy, technicians will slowly depressurize the chamber
- Once your hyperbaric oxygen therapy session is complete, you may feel lightheaded or tired. These symptoms will usually go away after a short period of time.
