What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing 100% pure oxygen in a specially designed chamber where the air pressure is higher than normal atmospheric pressure. This increased pressure allows your lungs to take in much more oxygen than usual, which in turn delivers higher amounts of oxygen to your blood and tissues. The extra oxygen helps the body heal faster by promoting cell growth, fighting infections, and reducing inflammation.

Types of Chambers

At SA Hyperbaric Medicine, Wound, and Medical Centre, we utilize an advanced multiplace hyperbaric chamber to deliver effective oxygen therapy for a wide range of medical conditions. Understanding the types of chambers and their differences can help you make an informed decision about your treatment options.

Multiplace Chambers

Multiplace chambers are designed to accommodate multiple patients at once, making them ideal for larger facilities or situations where several patients need treatment simultaneously. These chambers are typically larger and allow for direct supervision by medical staff inside the chamber. In a multiplace chamber

Patients breathe 100% oxygen through a mask or hood while the chamber is pressurized with regular air.

Medical staff monitor and interact with patients directly inside the chamber, providing a higher level of care and ensuring safety during treatment.

Multiplace chambers are often used for more complex or emergency treatments, such as decompression sickness or severe carbon monoxide poisoning.

Advantages

  • Direct supervision and interaction with medical professionals during treatment.
  • Suitable for treating multiple patients at the same time, improving efficiency.
  • Particularly useful in emergency or critical care situations.

Monoplace Chambers

Monoplace chambers are designed for single-patient use. In these chambers, the entire unit is pressurized with 100% oxygen, and the patient breathes the oxygen directly through ambient air, without the need for a mask or hood. These chambers are ideal for patients who prefer a more private and personalized experience. In a monoplace chamber

You lie down inside a comfortable, clear acrylic chamber that is pressurized with pure oxygen.

Since the entire chamber is filled with oxygen, there’s no need for external masks or devices, which can make the experience more relaxing for some patients.

Monoplace chambers are commonly used for less acute conditions, such as wound healing or radiation injury recovery.

Advantages

  • Private and comfortable, providing a personalized treatment environment.
  • No need for additional equipment like masks or hoods.
  • Easier to manage and monitor non-critical patients.

Mild HBOT vs. Real Medical HBOT

At SA Hyperbaric Medicine, Wound, and Medical Centre, we utilize an advanced multiplace hyperbaric chamber to deliver effective oxygen therapy for a wide range of medical conditions. Understanding the types of chambers and their differences can help you make an informed decision about your treatment options.

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT)

Mild HBOT refers to treatments performed at lower pressures (usually 1.3 ATA or less) and typically does not involve breathing 100% oxygen. These treatments are often marketed for wellness or cosmetic purposes, such as improving skin health or boosting energy levels. However, it’s important to note that mild HBOT is not considered a medical treatment for serious conditions and is not recognized by the UHMS for treating the approved medical indications.

  • Pressure levels: Around 1.3 ATA or less.
  • Oxygen levels: Typically room air or low-percentage oxygen.
  • Uses: Often used for general wellness or recovery in non-medical settings.

While mild HBOT may have some anecdotal benefits, it lacks the medical efficacy and strict protocols that are standard in clinical hyperbaric medicine. It should not be confused with real medical-grade HBOT used to treat critical conditions.

Medical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Medical HBOT is performed at significantly higher pressures, typically ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 ATA, and involves the patient breathing 100% oxygen in a controlled, pressurized environment. This method is clinically proven to deliver therapeutic levels of oxygen to tissues, promoting healing and recovery from serious medical conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries, and decompression sickness.

  • Pressure levels: Typically 2.0 to 3.0 ATA.
  • Oxygen levels: 100% oxygen.
  • Uses: Approved and regulated to treat a wide range of serious medical conditions, supported by clinical research and medical protocols.
  • Regulation: Medical HBOT is performed in accredited medical facilities and supervised by trained healthcare professionals, while mild HBOT is more often used in non-medical wellness settings.