Hyperbaric Chamber vs Cryotherapy: Uses, Cost, & More

Why Compare Hyperbaric Chamber vs Cryotherapy?

Sore after intense workouts and tired of feeling “flat” the next day? You might want to take a look at two popular recovery therapies: using hyperbaric chambers and cryotherapy. Choose a hyperbaric chamber when you want deeper, oxygen-driven tissue repair and faster healing; choose cryotherapy when you want rapid relief from soreness, inflammation, and a quick mood and energy boost.

In this guide, you’ll get a clear head-to-head on mechanism, benefits, safety, session experience, frequency, cost, and best-fit use cases, plus how to combine cold therapy with HBOT for best results. . We’ll also cover when it makes sense to combine the two for optimal results, and when to consult a healthcare provider before starting treatment.

The Basics of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Cryotherapy

A hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber (HBOT) is a pressurized chamber where you breathe pure oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure. This increases oxygen levels in your blood plasma, fueling healing and recovery from certain medical conditions approved by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), such as decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning. HBOT is also used off-label in wellness centers and at home for recovery, energy, and overall health benefits.

Types of hyperbaric chambers include:

• Hard-shell chambers (monoplace or multiplace) for clinical settings and higher pressures.

• Soft-shell or mild HBOT chambers for home use and wellness recovery.

A cryotherapy chamber, on the other hand, exposes your entire body to extreme cold temperatures delivered as cold air, liquid nitrogen, or cold water immersion (ice baths). This cold exposure reduces inflammation, supports muscle recovery, and provides a quick mood and energy boost.

Hyperbaric Chamber vs Cryotherapy

Mechanism of Action

HBOT increases dissolved oxygen in plasma, which supports cellular repair, tissue regeneration, and angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels from existing ones. Its clinical effectiveness is proven for conditions like decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning, while evidence for athletic recovery is promising but still limited. 

Cryotherapy works through cold exposure. When your body is rapidly cooled by whole-body cryotherapy sessions or an ice bath, blood vessels constrict and then dilate once you warm up. This constriction–dilation cycle is thought to reduce inflammation and discomfort, though long-term effects on recovery are still debated in research [1].

Primary Benefits

Both therapies promote recovery, but in significantly different ways.

Benefits of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber include:

• Enhanced wound healing and tissue repair

• Faster recovery from intense workouts

• Effective treatment for medical conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and radiation therapy complications

Note that while there are hard-shell hyperbaric chambers FDA-cleared for specific conditions (e.g., CO poisoning, decompression sickness, diabetic foot ulcers), the use of HBOT for sports recovery or wellness is off-label and should be approached as experimental. Additionally, soft-shell chambers are not FDA-approved for treating medical conditions, except for the Gamow bag, a portable hyperbaric rescue device approved for the treatment of acute mountain sickness [6]. 

Benefits of cryotherapy include:

• Rapid inflammation reduction and muscle recovery

• Pain relief for conditions like arthritis and chronic pain

• Boost in energy levels and mental health through endorphin release

• Potential benefits for sleep quality and anxiety disorders [2], though more scientific research is still needed

Evidence Gaps & Clinical Applications

HBOT is well established in medicine, specifically with the use of hard-shell hyperbaric chambers, with evidence-backed use in specific conditions recognized by the UHMS. These conditions require the higher pressures and pure oxygen delivery only available in clinical-grade hard-shell chambers. In contrast, soft-shell or “mild” devices remain limited to wellness use.

Cryotherapy, however, is more often used in wellness centers or athletic recovery settings. While many users report improvements in soreness and mood, long-term studies are still developing. Large gaps remain in standardized cryotherapy protocols for temperature, duration, and frequency. Reviews show benefits for short-term soreness relief, but chronic use (especially cold-water immersion) can blunt muscle hypertrophy and strength gains when paired with resistance training [5]. 

Best-Fit Use Cases

A hyperbaric chamber is the better choice if you are:

• Managing a serious medical condition under a healthcare provider’s guidance

• Seeking deeper healing and long-term recovery benefits

• An athlete or individual needing significant improvements in recovery and performance

Cryotherapy chambers are a strong fit if you are:

• Looking for quick relief after intense workouts

• Managing acute soreness or chronic pain

• Focused on short, refreshing sessions that boost energy and overall wellness

In summary, HBOT offers longer-term, oxygen-driven healing, while cryotherapy provides fast recovery and mood benefits that may fit better into a busy weekly routine.

Depth & Duration of Effects

The benefits of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber tend to build gradually. Oxygen-rich blood supports tissue repair, cellular repair, and the growth of new blood vessels, which often requires multiple HBOT sessions. Effects may last days to weeks, making it best for long-term recovery, wound healing, and managing chronic conditions.

Cryotherapy provides faster, short-lived results. Within minutes, cold exposure reduces soreness, improves blood flow, and releases endorphins that lift energy and mood. However, these effects typically fade within hours, which is why whole-body cryotherapy sessions are repeated often.

Session Experience & Comfort

The session experience is a key difference between the two therapies.

Hyperbaric chamber: You rest in a pressurized chamber for 60–90 minutes, breathing pure oxygen. Sessions are quiet and calm, but may feel confining to those with claustrophobia.

Cryotherapy chamber: You stand or sit in a chamber for 2–4 minutes while exposed to extreme cold from liquid nitrogen, cold air, or cold water immersion. This can feel intense but ends quickly, often leaving you energized.

User preference factors:

• Tolerance for cold temperatures vs enclosed spaces

• Time available (short cryotherapy sessions vs longer HBOT sessions)

• Comfort with noise, equipment, and recovery pace

Frequency

Using hyperbaric chambers is often prescribed as a series of 20–40 sessions in clinical settings, or used several times per week for wellness and athletic recovery. On the other hand, cryotherapy is typically performed 2–5 times per week, with some athletes using it daily during heavy training blocks.

Planning tip: Many combine the two by scheduling HBOT for deeper recovery days and cryotherapy after intense workouts when rapid relief is needed.

Safety Considerations

Both therapies are generally safe, but users should be aware of potential risks.

• Hyperbaric chamber risks: ear discomfort, sinus pressure, or oxygen toxicity in rare cases.

• Cryotherapy risks: skin irritation, numbness, or lightheadedness; rare cases of frostbite or asphyxiation in poorly ventilated systems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers as Class II medical devices and stresses the importance of following manufacturer instructions [3]. Reports of fires and serious injuries, though rare, have occurred with HBOT devices. To reduce risk, facilities must: 

• Use proper fire prevention and grounding equipment.

• Ensure staff training and continuous patient monitoring.

• Follow cleaning, maintenance, and clothing guidelines (cotton fabrics are preferred to reduce static).

Who Should Seek Clearance? 

• For HBOT, individuals with heart or lung disease, severe anemia, or ear/sinus problems.

• For cryotherapy, people with unmanaged hypertension, poor circulation, or cold sensitivity [4]

Safety Checklist Before Sessions:

• Review your medical history with a healthcare provider.

• Confirm equipment is maintained and operated by trained staff.

• Avoid sessions if you have unresolved infections, open wounds (for cryotherapy), or uncontrolled chronic conditions.

Hyperbaric chambers are administered by trained healthcare professionals in clinical settings, while soft shell hyperbaric chambers are used off-label, but following strict safety protocols, for wellness and recovery. Cryotherapy can be offered in wellness centers but should also still follow strict guidelines to avoid risks.

Cost & Accessibility

Soft hyperbaric oxygen chambers for home use range from $4,000 to $20,000+, while hard-shell hyperbaric chambers in clinical settings often cost $80,000–$150,000+. Expect to pay $150–$650 per HBOT session in wound care centers or wellness clinics, depending on chamber type and setting (see our detailed guide on hyperbaric chamber costs). Hard chambers are mostly found in hospitals and medical facilities, while soft-shell chambers are more common in wellness centers and for home use.

A cryotherapy chamber can cost $40,000–$75,000+, though most users rely on wellness centers instead of owning one. Per session cost: Whole-body cryotherapy sessions typically range $40–$100 per visit, making it more accessible than HBOT. Cryotherapy chambers are widely offered in gyms, wellness centers, and sports facilities across the US.

Cryotherapy vs Hyperbaric Chamber: Combining the Therapies

Using both therapies strategically can provide synergistic benefits:

• Same day sequencing: Cryotherapy first for rapid inflammation reduction, followed by an HBOT session to enhance oxygen delivery and cellular repair.

• Alternating days: A popular schedule for athletes is cryotherapy after intense workouts for immediate relief, with HBOT on recovery days for deeper tissue healing.

Sample weekly routine:

• Performance goal: 2–3 cryotherapy sessions post-training + 2 HBOT sessions for recovery.

• Rehabilitation goal: 3–5 HBOT sessions weekly for cumulative healing + 1–2 cryotherapy sessions for soreness control.

When Not to Combine 

Avoid doubling up if you’re new to either therapy, or if your medical history includes cold intolerance, unmanaged hypertension, severe lung disease, or untreated infections. Always review your plan with a healthcare provider to ensure the safest, most effective treatment option.

Hyperbaric Chamber vs Cryotherapy: Conclusion

Both therapies support recovery, but they work differently. A hyperbaric chamber uses a pressurized chamber and pure oxygen to raise oxygen levels in blood plasma, promoting tissue repair, wound healing, and deeper recovery. Cryotherapy applies extreme cold to the entire body for fast relief of soreness and inflammation with a quick boost in energy and mood.

Choose HBOT when you need long-term healing, complex recovery, or adjunct care for medical conditions under a healthcare provider’s guidance. Choose cryotherapy for rapid post-workout relief, athletic recovery, or a short, refreshing session that fits a busy week Athletes may also choose to use both cryotherapy after intense workouts and HBOT on recovery days for cumulative benefits.

Ready to bring HBOT to home use or your facility? Explore hyperbaric chambers at Strength Warehouse USA and build a recovery setup that matches your goals and budget.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog, including content related to hyperbaric chambers and wellness practices, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

References

1. Kwiecien, S. Y., & McHugh, M. P. (2021). The cold truth: the role of cryotherapy in the treatment of injury and recovery from exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 121(8), 2125–2142. Click Here to View Reference. 

2. Noble.Dana. (2024, August 27). The chilling truth: Exploring the health benefits and risks of cryotherapy. Mayo Clinic Press. Click Here to View Reference.

3. Office of the Commissioner. (2020, September 9). Cold Facts to Help Avoid Injury from Water-Circulating Hot/Cold Therapy Devices. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. Click Here to View Reference. 

4. Office of the Commissioner. (2021, July 26). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Get the facts. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. Click Here to View Reference.  

5. Peake, J. M. (2017). Cryotherapy: Are we freezing the benefits of exercise? Temperature, 4(3), 211–213. Click Here to View Reference.

6. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society. (2018, July 10). Position statement: Low-pressure fabric hyperbaric chambers [Position statement]. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from Click Here to View Reference.