Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is done inside a pressurized oxygen chamber during what is called a “dive,” a term borrowed from the sport of scuba diving.

When given 100 percent oxygen, an injury site absorbs the correct healing dose. HBOT practitioners commonly use enriched oxygen, an oxygen concentrator, or an oxygen generator.

The oxygen is infused into the numerous types of liquids in the body, such as blood, plasma, and cerebral fluids.

This oxygen uptake will remain in the body for a period of time after treatment. According to the gas laws of physics, more gas is dissolved in a liquid by increasing the pressure of the gas.

The length of treatments depends on the doctor’s particular protocol for that individual. Every person and every condition is unique.

Hyperbaric treatments may require a one-hour or two-hour session. Some treatment programs might require three treatments a week for several weeks or more.

In severe cases, people can have hundreds of sessions and continue with maintenance throughout their lifetime. Every patient’s protocol is different.