What Is a Hyperbaric Chamber? All You Need to Know

Wondering What a Hyperbaric Chamber Is? Start Here

Looking to recover faster, boost endurance, or overcome stubborn injuries? A hyperbaric chamber might be your secret weapon. These pressurized units deliver pure oxygen at higher-than-normal air pressure, helping your body absorb more oxygen into the bloodstream and muscle tissue. More than hype, this is the science behind Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

Used by athletes, divers, and patients with chronic wounds or severe burns, using a hyperbaric chamber is gaining traction for its potential to speed up recovery, reduce inflammation, and improve lower-body strength and endurance. But what exactly is a hyperbaric chamber, and what does it do to your body?

In this guide, you’ll learn how hyperbaric treatment works, who it’s for, and why it’s being used in everything from wound healing to brain recovery. If you're training hard, recovering from injury, or simply exploring wellness, here’s what you need to know before stepping inside a hyperbaric chamber.

What Is a Hyperbaric Chamber?

A hyperbaric chamber is a sealed, pressurised chamber designed to deliver pure oxygen at levels higher than normal atmospheric pressure. This therapy, also referred to as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), allows your lungs to take in a much higher concentration of oxygen than breathing at sea level. The result? Your body’s tissues receive extra oxygen to promote healing, fight infections, and improve blood flow.

There are different types of hyperbaric chambers:

• Monoplace: Fits one person, usually lying in a clear tube.

• Multiplace: Treats multiple people, typically in hospital settings.

• Soft shell: Portable, low-pressure units for wellness or fitness recovery.

• Hard shell: High-pressure, medical-grade chambers used in clinical settings.

Some hyperbaric chambers are FDA-approved for specific medical uses such as treating decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, or chronic wounds. Others may be FDA-registered but not FDA-approved, meaning the manufacturer has advised the FDA about the product’s existence, but it has not been evaluated or endorsed for medical treatment.

Wellness models, including many soft-shell chambers, are often used for off-label purposes like anti-aging, long COVID recovery, or athletic performance. Off-label use is permitted, but the FDA has not assessed its safety or proven its effectiveness.

What Is The Purpose Of A Hyperbaric Chamber?

The main purpose of a hyperbaric chamber is to enhance the body’s ability to heal by delivering pure oxygen at increased air pressure. This allows your lungs to absorb a higher amount of oxygen than normal, which is then transported through red blood cells and plasma to reach damaged tissues.

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is commonly prescribed in clinical settings to address conditions where the body’s tissues are starved of oxygen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved HBOT for treating decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, chronic wounds, bone infections, and severe burns. It’s also used as supportive care for radiation therapy injuries and skin grafts that are slow to heal.

Beyond these, off-label uses continue to grow. These include managing long COVID, improving outcomes in autism, accelerating athletic recovery, and reducing inflammation from tissue damage, though these applications are still under clinical trials.

What Does A Hyperbaric Chamber Do To Your Body?

HBOT enhances healing by increasing both oxygen concentration and atmospheric pressure inside a sealed chamber. This allows not just red blood cells but also plasma to carry oxygen, saturating your body’s tissues with a much higher dose than breathing normal air at sea level [1]. As oxygen-rich plasma reaches damaged or oxygen-deprived areas, your body begins to repair tissue, reduce inflammation, and fight infection more efficiently.

The therapy also stimulates angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which improves long-term blood flow and oxygen delivery. Moreover, HBOT also stimulates collagen production and improves the performance of white blood cells, which are both critical in treating chronic wounds, radiation injuries, and serious infections like necrotizing soft-tissue infections [2].

Simply put, HBOT gives your body more of what it already uses—oxygen—but in a controlled, high-pressure environment that accelerates recovery and tissue regeneration.

How Does a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Work?

A hyperbaric oxygen chamber works by increasing the air pressure inside the unit to levels higher than normal atmospheric pressure. While breathing pure oxygen under these conditions, your lungs absorb more oxygen than they would at sea level. Your blood carries this enriched oxygen to support cell repair, fight bacteria, and reduce inflammation in areas where healing is slow or oxygen supply is limited.

Unlike standard oxygen therapy, which delivers oxygen through a mask or nasal tube at normal pressure, HBOT uses pressurised oxygen to achieve deeper tissue saturation. This method helps deliver oxygen to areas that are difficult to reach with regular circulation, giving your body the boost it needs for faster recovery and better outcomes.

Who Can and Cannot Use a Hyperbaric Chamber?

Most healthy adults can safely use a hyperbaric chamber, especially when supervised by trained professionals. It’s often used by athletes, post-surgery patients, and people recovering from wounds, inflammation, or oxygen-deprived injuries.

However, HBOT is not for everyone. People with certain conditions should avoid treatment.

Caution or avoidance is recommended for:

• Individuals with lung conditions (e.g. COPD, pneumothorax)

• Those with untreated ear injuries or recent ear surgery

• Anyone experiencing an active fever

• Patients undergoing certain chemotherapy treatments

• Pregnant individuals (unless medically necessary – limited research available)

• Children or elderly people (only with strict medical supervision)

Always consult a healthcare provider before beginning therapy, especially if you’re pregnant, elderly, or managing chronic conditions.

Risks and Safety of Hyperbaric Chambers

While hyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered safe when performed under proper medical supervision, it does come with potential risks.

Common Side Effects

Some patients may experience barotrauma, which is pressure-related injury to the ears or sinuses. Oxygen toxicity is rare but can occur if too much oxygen is administered over long sessions. Other side effects may include fatigue, lightheadedness, and temporary changes in vision.

Claustrophobia and Psychological Considerations

The enclosed space of a monoplace chamber can cause claustrophobia in some individuals. If you're prone to anxiety in tight spaces, a multiplace chamber or guided relaxation techniques may help ease discomfort.

Safety Protocols and Clinical Guidelines

To reduce risk, all sessions should follow standard hyperbaric safety protocols. These include screening for contraindications, using approved equipment, and being monitored by trained staff throughout treatment. Compression and decompression must be done gradually to prevent barotrauma and ensure comfort.

Recovery and Outlook After Treatment

Most people feel relaxed or slightly tired after a session. Any minor discomfort typically resolves quickly. You can return to your normal activities soon after, unless advised otherwise by your provider.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

You should contact your provider if you experience:

• Ear pain or hearing loss

• Dizziness or nausea

• Difficulty breathing

• Vision changes after repeated sessions

What Is a Hyperbaric Chamber Used For? FAQs

How long do you sit in a hyperbaric chamber?

Most hyperbaric chamber sessions last 60–90 minutes.

Is a hyperbaric chamber good for you?

Yes, using a hyperbaric chamber can be good for you when medically appropriate and supervised.

How many sessions do you need in a hyperbaric chamber?

It depends on your condition. Some people need 5 sessions, while others may require 20 or more for the best results.

What does a hyperbaric chamber do for the brain?

It may improve oxygen delivery to injured or low-functioning brain areas.

What Is a Hyperbaric Chamber: Conclusion

Whether you're an athlete chasing peak recovery or someone looking for alternative ways to support healing, a hyperbaric chamber could be your next best tool. By delivering concentrated oxygen at higher pressure, HBOT helps your body repair tissue, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. It’s backed by clinical evidence for treating serious conditions and is gaining traction in wellness and sports recovery.

From faster muscle repair to brain oxygenation, the benefits are far-reaching—provided the treatment is used safely and appropriately. Like any therapeutic device, it’s essential to follow safety protocols and consult a healthcare provider before starting, especially if you're managing any pre-existing health conditions.

If you're ready to experience the benefits of HBOT at home or in your facility, Strength Warehouse USA offers a range of high-quality hyperbaric chambers to meet your needs. We offer soft shell and hard shell hyperbaric chambers, backed by expert support and competitive pricing. 

References:

1. Tibbles, P. M., & Edelsberg, J. S. (1996). Hyperbaric-Oxygen therapy. New England Journal of Medicine, 334(25), 1642–1648. Click Here to View Referenced Article. 

2. Thom S. R. (2011). Hyperbaric oxygen: its mechanisms and efficacy. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 127 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), 131S–141S. Click Here to View Referenced Article.