A Pressurized, Oxygen-Driven Approach to Healing, Recovery, and Cellular Wellness
Oxygen is the single most essential input for human cellular function. Every cell in the body depends on a steady, adequate supply to produce energy, repair tissue, and defend against infection.[1] When that supply is limited, whether by injury, chronic inflammation, poor circulation, or the ordinary effects of aging, healing slows and the body’s ability to function at its best can suffer.
HBOT Overview
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a therapy that increases the amount of oxygen available to the body’s tissues by combining increased atmospheric pressure with supplemental oxygen inside a specialized chamber. First developed to treat decompression sickness in divers, hyperbaric medicine has been used clinically for decades, and the FDA has cleared hyperbaric chambers for a specific list of medical conditions, from carbon monoxide poisoning to certain non-healing wounds.[2] In the years since, research into hyperbaric oxygen has expanded well beyond those original uses, exploring its role in recovery, inflammation, and general cellular health.[3]
For patients searching for “hyperbaric oxygen therapy near me,” one of the most important things to understand up front is that not all hyperbaric chambers are the same. Medical-grade, hard-shell chambers and mild, wellness-oriented soft-shell chambers use different pressures, different oxygen delivery methods, and serve different purposes. The Longevity Centers of America offers both, at two different locations, so patients can pursue the protocol that fits their goals.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
In simple terms, HBOT involves breathing a higher concentration of oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber. The added pressure allows the lungs to take in more oxygen than they could at normal atmospheric pressure, which increases the amount of oxygen dissolved directly in the blood plasma, not just the amount carried by red blood cells.[4] This plasma-dissolved oxygen can reach tissues that are otherwise difficult to oxygenate, including areas affected by reduced blood flow.
There are two broad categories of hyperbaric chamber:
- Hard-shell (monoplace) chambers, which reach higher pressures and are typically paired with 100% supplemental oxygen. These are the devices the FDA has cleared for specific medical indications, and they are generally administered under physician oversight.
- Mild, soft-shell chambers, which operate at lower pressures using ambient air and an oxygen concentrator. These are commonly used in wellness and recovery settings.
Inside a mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber
How Does HBOT Work?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works primarily through basic gas physics, specifically Henry’s Law: as pressure increases, more gas, in this case oxygen, dissolves into the body’s fluids.[4] That additional dissolved oxygen is believed to support a range of biological processes, including:
- Increased tissue oxygenation: delivering oxygen to areas where circulation is compromised
- Angiogenesis: supporting the formation of new blood vessels to improve long-term blood flow[5]
- Collagen synthesis and fibroblast activity: processes central to tissue repair[5]
- Anti-inflammatory effects: helping reduce swelling and supporting the body’s natural inflammatory response[3]
- Antimicrobial support: elevated oxygen levels can support the body’s own defenses against certain bacteria[3]
How strongly any of these processes is activated depends heavily on the pressure and oxygen concentration used, which is a large part of why medical-grade and mild hyperbaric protocols are used for different purposes.
Potential Benefits of HBOT
The FDA has cleared hyperbaric chambers for the treatment of a specific list of medical conditions, including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and certain non-healing wounds, when administered under physician supervision.[2] Beyond those cleared uses, HBOT has been studied across a wide range of wellness and recovery contexts. Commonly described benefits include:
- Support for wound healing and post-surgical recovery
- Reduced inflammation and improved circulation
- A subject of ongoing research for athletic recovery and muscle fatigue, though evidence in this area is still developing[6]
- Cognitive support, with some research showing improved attention and processing speed in healthy adults[7]
- Improved sleep and stress recovery
- A complementary addition to other longevity and regenerative therapies
Individual results vary, and the benefits experienced depend on the chamber type, the protocol used, and each patient’s underlying health. HBOT at LCOA is offered to support general wellness and recovery. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Two Ways to Experience HBOT at LCOA
Because hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not one-size-fits-all, LCOA offers two distinct protocols at two locations.
Medical-Grade (Hard-Shell) HBOT in West Palm Beach, FL Available at our suite inside Hippocrates Health Institute, our hard-shell chamber operates at higher pressures with supplemental oxygen, under the oversight of Ben Kosubevsky, DO, our Medical Director. Learn more about medical-grade HBOT in West Palm Beach →
Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) in Orlando, FL Available at our Orlando location, our soft-shell chamber offers a gentler, wellness-focused protocol designed to support recovery, energy, and healthy aging. Learn more about mild HBOT in Orlando →
Why Choose LCOA
What Sets Longevity Centers of America Apart?
- Two chamber options, medical-grade and mild, so your protocol matches your goals
- Physician-led oversight at our medical-grade chamber location
- Personalized candidacy screening before every course of treatment
- Integration with our broader longevity and regenerative medicine programs
- A calm, comfortable, and professional clinical environment
What Our HBOT Approach Includes
- A comprehensive consultation, including a review of your health history, current medications, and wellness goals
- Personalized determination of candidacy for either chamber type
- Selection of the protocol, pressure, and session length best suited to your goals
- Administration of HBOT in a comfortable, supervised clinical setting
- Coordination with any complementary therapies you are pursuing, including IV therapy, PEMF, or regenerative injections
- Ongoing follow-up to assess your response and refine your protocol
Who Should Consider HBOT?
HBOT may be worth considering if you:
- Are recovering from surgery, an injury, or a wound that is healing slowly
- Are an athlete or active individual interested in supporting recovery
- Are focused on healthy aging, energy, and cellular wellness
- Want a non-invasive, complementary addition to another LCOA therapy
- Have a specific medical condition for which your physician has recommended HBOT
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not appropriate for everyone. The only absolute contraindication is untreated pneumothorax (a collapsed lung).[8] Patients who are pregnant, have a history of certain lung or ear conditions, uncontrolled seizure disorder, or are taking certain medications should not undergo HBOT without a thorough medical evaluation. A candidacy screening is completed with every patient before beginning treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy used for?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) increases the amount of oxygen available to the body’s tissues. The FDA has cleared hyperbaric chambers, under physician supervision, for a specific list of conditions including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and certain non-healing wounds. It has also been studied more broadly for recovery, inflammation, and general wellness support.
What's the difference between medical-grade and mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Medical-grade, hard-shell chambers reach higher pressures and are typically used with 100% supplemental oxygen under physician oversight. Mild, soft-shell chambers operate at lower pressures using ambient air and an oxygen concentrator, and they are generally used to support wellness and recovery goals rather than to treat a specific medical condition.
Is HBOT safe?
When administered by trained clinical staff using appropriate equipment, HBOT is generally considered safe, with minimal side effects. Some patients are not appropriate candidates, including those who are pregnant or have certain lung or ear conditions. A thorough evaluation is completed before treatment begins.
How long does a session take, and how many will I need?
Session length and frequency vary based on the chamber type, protocol, and individual goals. Sessions commonly range from 60 to 90 minutes, and a full course is often delivered over a series of sessions. Your clinical team will design a schedule based on your needs and response.
Where can I get HBOT at LCOA?
LCOA offers medical-grade, hard-shell HBOT at our suite inside Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, FL, and mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT) at our Orlando, FL location.
References
- Miguel A. Ortega, et al., “A General Overview on the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Applications, Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities,” Medicina, August 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8465921/.
- “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Get the Facts,” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-get-facts.
- “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Modern Surgical Practice: Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Applications Across Specialties,” PMC, National Library of Medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12924891/.
- Mark W. Jones, et al., “Hyperbaric Physics,” StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448104/.
- “The impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on serological values of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF),” PMC, National Library of Medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3022549/.
- Kelly Johnson-Arbor, “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for high performance athletes: a narrative review,” Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine, 2025, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41223395/.
- Amir Hadanny, et al., “Cognitive enhancement of healthy older adults using hyperbaric oxygen: a randomized controlled trial,” Aging (Albany NY), 2020, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7377835/.
- Rohin Gawdi, et al., “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Contraindications,” StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557661/.