When you’re facing a wound that won’t heal, despite good care, proper nutrition, and all the treatments your care team provides, it’s normal to explore other options. One therapy that often comes up is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). You might have seen it online, heard about it from a friend, or even had your doctor recommend it. But is it really worth it? Let’s take a closer look at what HBOT is, what the research shows, and who benefits the most.
What Exactly Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a specially designed chamber where the air pressure is more than twice that of normal atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, your lungs can take in much more oxygen than usual. Your bloodstream then carries this oxygen-rich plasma to tissues that are injured, inflamed, or lack proper blood flow.
This idea may seem futuristic, but HBOT has been used in medicine for decades. It was originally developed for divers suffering from decompression sickness, also known as “the bends.” Now it is an FDA-approved treatment for several conditions, including:
When used correctly, HBOT can help the body heal by enhancing oxygen delivery to tissues, reducing inflammation, and promoting the growth of new blood vessels.
How Does More Oxygen Help Wounds Heal?
To understand how HBOT works, it helps to know what happens at the cellular level. Oxygen is vital for nearly every step in wound healing, from fighting infection to building new tissue. But in many chronic wounds, like diabetic ulcers, oxygen levels in the affected area are much lower than normal. Poor circulation, nerve damage, or infection can all limit how much oxygen reaches the site.
Inside a hyperbaric chamber, the increased pressure dissolves oxygen directly into the blood plasma, not just into the red blood cells. This means that even if circulation is partially impaired, tissues still receive a therapeutic amount of oxygen.
The benefits can include:
What Does the Evidence Say?
Like many medical treatments, the effectiveness of HBOT depends on the condition being treated and how it is used.
For diabetic foot ulcers, the evidence is strongest. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have shown that HBOT, when added to standard wound care, can significantly increase healing rates and reduce the risk of amputation for selected patients. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) both recognize HBOT as a covered treatment for advanced diabetic wounds that have not responded to standard care after at least 30 days.
For radiation-related injuries, such as osteoradionecrosis of the jaw or soft tissue damage after cancer treatment, studies also support HBOT. Oxygen therapy can help revascularize tissue damaged by radiation, reduce pain, and improve surgical outcomes in reconstructive procedures.
For other conditions, the evidence is still evolving. There is promising but less definitive research for chronic refractory osteomyelitis (bone infection), compromised skin grafts, and sudden hearing loss. However, HBOT is not a cure-all. Claims that it treats conditions like autism, Alzheimer’s disease, or general “anti-aging” lack scientific support and are not endorsed by regulatory agencies.
What to Expect During Treatment
A typical HBOT session lasts about 90 minutes to two hours, and most patients require a series of 20 to 40 sessions to achieve results. Treatments are usually done five days a week at a specialized wound care center.
You’ll rest inside a comfortable, transparent chamber, either a single-person unit or a larger chamber that can treat several people at once. You can relax, listen to music, or watch TV while the pressure slowly increases. You may feel mild ear popping, similar to the sensation during airplane ascent or descent.
HBOT is generally well tolerated, but like any medical procedure, it carries some risks. Possible side effects include temporary ear discomfort, mild sinus pressure, or, rarely, vision changes that usually resolve after therapy. Serious complications are uncommon when treatments are properly supervised.
Is It Worth It?
For patients who meet the medical criteria, especially those with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries, or compromised grafts, HBOT can make a meaningful difference. It’s not a quick fix, but when combined with expert wound care, good nutrition, infection control, and attention to underlying health issues, it can help save limbs and improve quality of life.
However, HBOT is not appropriate for every wound or every patient. The decision should be based on your overall health, wound type, and your response to other treatments. A comprehensive evaluation by a wound care specialist can help determine whether you are likely to benefit.
The Bottom Line
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not experimental or exotic; it is a well-established medical tool backed by decades of research for specific conditions. While it does not replace other aspects of wound management, it can be a powerful addition to the healing process for the right patients.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a stubborn wound, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider if HBOT might be right for you. The time and commitment involved may very well be worth it, especially when the goal is not just to heal a wound, but to restore health, mobility, and peace of mind.
