What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)? – A Complete Guide

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, commonly abbreviated as HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy), is a medical treatment method where the patient breathes pure oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure inside a pressure chamber. The method has been used for decades in healthcare and is becoming increasingly popular in wellness, sports recovery, and longevity.

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Work?

During an HBOT session you are placed in a hyperbaric chamber and the pressure is raised above normal atmospheric pressure. Clinical protocols typically run between 1.5 and 2.4 ATA (atmospheres absolute), and the chambers Nordic Welltech supplies operate at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA. At elevated pressure the lungs take up considerably more oxygen than they do at sea level. The extra oxygen dissolves directly in the blood plasma and reaches tissue that poor circulation would otherwise leave underserved.

The process stimulates the body’s natural healing processes by:

• Increasing oxygen delivery to damaged tissues
• Reducing inflammation and swelling
• Stimulating the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
• Improving the ability of white blood cells to kill certain bacteria
• Mobilising stem progenitor cells from the bone marrow

What Are the Benefits of HBOT?

Research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy is growing steadily, and the treatment is used today for a wide range of conditions and purposes.

Medical Applications

HBOT is an established treatment for chronic wounds that will not heal, delayed radiation injury after cancer treatment, carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, and certain severe soft tissue infections. Hospitals have used hyperbaric chambers since the 1960s, and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) currently lists 15 approved indications.

Sports Recovery

A growing number of elite athletes and clubs use hyperbaric chambers as part of their recovery routine. The rationale is that raising dissolved oxygen supports tissue repair after heavy training load or injury. The evidence base in healthy athletes is still thin and rests largely on small studies, so treat performance claims as tentative rather than settled.

Wellness and Longevity

HBOT has become a sought-after treatment in the wellness sector. Controlled work in older adults, most prominently Hachmo and colleagues in 2020, used 60 sessions at 2.0 ATA and reported gains on cognitive measures alongside changes in telomere length and senescent cell counts. Those are early findings from small cohorts, not settled science, and they should not be read as a promise of slower ageing.

What Happens During an HBOT Session?

A typical session in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Preparation: You change into comfortable clothing and remove metal objects.
2. Pressurization: The chamber is sealed and the pressure is gradually raised. You may feel pressure in your ears, similar to the sensation during a flight.
3. Treatment: At full pressure, you breathe in pure oxygen. Many people use the time to rest, meditate, or listen to music.
4. Depressurization: The pressure is slowly lowered back to normal atmospheric pressure.

Most people find the treatment relaxing. A course typically runs 20 to 40 sessions, depending on the indication and the protocol your clinician sets.

Types of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers

There are mainly two types of HBOT chambers:

Monoplace Chambers (Single-Person)

These chambers are designed for one person at a time. They are compact, straightforward to install, and suit private individuals, smaller clinics, and wellness centres. Nordic Welltech’s monoplace model is the Zeugma, a single-seat chamber rated for 2.0 to 2.4 ATA. A two-seat version, the Zeugma Panorama, uses the same control system in a wider shell.

Multiplace Chambers (Multi-Person)

Larger chambers that take several occupants at once. These are used mainly by hospitals, larger clinics, and professional sports facilities. Models such as the Mediterranean and Giza both seat four people at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA, while the Titan multiplace system is configurable from 4+2 up to 12+2 occupants at 3.0 to 6.0 ATA.

Is HBOT Safe?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is regarded as safe when it is delivered with certified equipment and to a recommended protocol. The usual side effects are mild and temporary: middle ear pressure during compression, and transient short-sightedness that resolves in the weeks after a course ends. Oxygen toxicity seizures are rare and depend on pressure and session length.

Use quality-assured equipment from an established manufacturer. The chambers Nordic Welltech supplies are built by HPO.TECH, which states that its systems are CE marked and manufactured to ASME-PVHO, PED and ISO standards.

HBOT in Scandinavia

Interest in hyperbaric oxygen therapy is growing quickly in Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia, with clinics, spas and private buyers investing in their own equipment. Nordic Welltech supplies hyperbaric chambers across the region and handles consultation, installation, training and ongoing service.

Get Started with HBOT

Are you considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy at your clinic, or a chamber for home use? Nordic Welltech will help you match a system to your requirements, your premises and your budget.

Book a free video consultation with our experts to learn more about which hyperbaric oxygen chamber is right for you.