How you will feel after a hyperbaric treatment session

How you will feel after a hyperbaric treatment session

Even if a single therapy session will not completely redefine your health, you will notice after the first few sessions how each visit to the hyperbaric chamber makes you feel more energized, healthier and more capable to face life's challenges, the cumulative impact of hyperbaric therapy on health being profound and lasting.

Find out detailed information below about how you will feel during therapy, after therapy and what results you can expect.

What is hyperbaric therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an accredited form of medical treatment that consists of placing the patient in a special enclosure, at a pressure higher than atmospheric, where he will inhale pure oxygen (100%). Therefore, the level of oxygen in the blood will increase up to 20 times, being diffused much more easily in the tissues deprived of oxygen, accelerating their healing.

Hyperbaric chambers are divided into 2 categories, HBOT and mHBOT, the technical differences and medical benefits between the two being very large. These differences will influence how we feel during and after a hyperbaric treatment session.

How does hyperbaric therapy help?

Normally, we inhale up to 21% oxygen, which is enough for our body to function. But when there are injuries or we are sick, regeneration can be greatly accelerated by hyperbaric therapy. This extra dose of oxygen, given under conditions of increased atmospheric pressure, acts as a catalyst for the body's healing processes, helping it heal much faster. It's like the body gets an extra dose of power to fight infections and wounds.

But hyperbaric therapy should not always be seen as an alternative to classical treatment, as it is often integrated into a multidisciplinary approach, potentiating the beneficial effect of many medical treatments.

How do you feel during therapy?

People's experience during hyperbaric therapy can vary depending on several factors, including the medical condition for which the therapy is being performed but also how each individual responds to it. In general, the experience during therapy is relaxing and soothing.

As the pressure increases in the room, people may feel a slight pressure or stuffy sensation in the ears, similar to that experienced during takeoff and landing in an airplane. To alleviate this discomfort, you can open your ears by swallowing, yawning or using the Valsalva maneuver (the technique where you cover your nose and mouth and try to exhale forcefully). The time spent in the room can be used for relaxation or for activities such as listening to music or watching movies.

During hyperbaric therapy, medical staff inside the room or operators supervising the session are available to answer any patient questions and ensure the experience is as comfortable as possible. It is important for the patient to communicate openly with the medical team and express any needs or concerns they may have during therapy.

How will you feel after therapy?

After therapy, many patients experience a series of changes in their well-being, both physical and mental. In general, many people feel relaxed and invigorated after a hyperbaric therapy session, but there may be other feelings or sensations, such as energy, reduced pain levels, or even a slight drowsiness, all of which are normal reactions.

Physical effects are often noticed after the first sessions, as the partial increase in oxygen in the tissues leads to healing and cellular regeneration. This means reducing inflammation, improving blood circulation and speeding up wound healing processes.

In the case of visible health problems such as diabetic foot ulcers, burns, frostbite, periodontitis and other severe wounds, results begin to be seen after about 10 sessions, depending on the response of each patient.

Can you drive after hyperbaric therapy?

Yes, hyperbaric therapy does not limit normal daily activities in any way. During hyperbaric therapy, the increased level of oxygen in the blood increases the body's metabolic activity, which can lead to a slight feeling of fatigue as the body uses energy to repair and heal itself. This reaction is perfectly normal, the amount of calories consumed in 60 minutes of hyperbaric therapy being about 600 calories.

Contraindications and risks

Hyperbaric therapy is considered a very safe treatment, as long as it is applied properly and in accredited medical centers. However, there are some contraindications such as: pneumothorax, history of convulsions, pregnancy or extreme claustrophobia. It is very important for the patient to be honest with the specialist in order to avoid possible emergency situations.

What results can I expect?

Although it has many and obvious benefits, hyperbaric therapy is not a miracle solution for all ailments. It is very important to discuss treatment options with a specialist and choose the right regimen.

To safely benefit from the studied effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it is important to ensure at least three things:

In general, if used properly and administered under the supervision of medical specialists, hyperbaric therapy can have a surprising effect on the body, both physically and mentally.