Understanding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): How It Works and What to Expect

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an evidence-based medical treatment that increases the amount of oxygen your bloodstream can carry — which in turn supports the body’s natural ability to repair damaged tissue, fight infection, and restore circulation. At ROC Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Care in Lexington, we specialize in using HBOT to help patients recover from radiation injuries, complex wounds, and other conditions where restoring oxygen to compromised tissue can make a life-changing difference.

Below, we’ll walk through how HBOT works, what happens during treatment, which conditions benefit most, and what you can expect as a patient at ROC.

What Exactly Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

During HBOT, a patient relaxes inside a pressurized chamber while breathing 100% medical-grade oxygen. Inside this environment, the air pressure is increased to levels higher than normal atmospheric pressure. This allows the lungs and therefore the bloodstream to absorb far more oxygen than what is possible at room air.

This temporary “oxygen boost” increases the amount of oxygen dissolved directly in the plasma, allowing it to reach tissues that are swollen, damaged, or starved of blood flow.

At ROC:

• Sessions typically last 120 minutes at 2.0–2.4 ATA, depending on medical necessity.

• Treatments are non-invasive and painless.

• A full course typically involves approximately 40 sessions, depending on the diagnosis.

• All treatments are supervised by trained medical staff with extensive HBOT experience.

How HBOT Supports Healing

HBOT has well-documented physiological effects that make it uniquely powerful in restoring damaged tissue:

1. Accelerates Tissue Repair

Oxygen is essential for collagen formation, blood vessel growth, and cellular repair. HBOT delivers oxygen deep into injured or radiation-damaged tissue to promote faster, more complete healing.

2. Reduces Inflammation & Swelling

Pressurized oxygen has a natural anti-inflammatory effect, helping reduce chronic swelling that may limit mobility or cause pain.

3. Improves Infection Control

HBOT strengthens white blood cell activity and creates an environment where certain harmful bacteria cannot thrive; an important benefit for patients with chronic wounds or soft-tissue infections.

4. Stimulates New Blood Vessel Growth (Neovascularization)

Over multiple sessions, HBOT encourages the growth of new capillaries. This helps restore long-term circulation to previously damaged or oxygen-deprived tissue.

5. Supports Healing After Cancer Radiation Therapy

One of ROC’s most common patient populations includes individuals dealing with radiation-related soft-tissue injury, such as:

• Radiation cystitis

• Radiation proctitis

• Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw

• Non-healing pelvic radiation wounds

• Ischemic skin grafts and flaps

HBOT helps reverse the long-term effects of radiation by restoring blood flow and reducing fibrosis.

How Much Does HBOT Cost?

At ROC, treatment costs depend on whether the condition is a Medicare-approved condition and whether insurance will reimburse for care.

Insurance Coverage

Medicare and commercial insurers cover HBOT for a set list of conditions, including:

• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis

• Diabetic wounds of the lower extremity

• Radiation-induced tissue injuries (soft tissue & bone)

• Compromised skin grafts/flaps

• Several acute emergency conditions

For non-covered conditions, some patients choose optional/cash-pay treatment. Our staff provides transparent pricing and helps patients understand their insurance benefits upfront.

What to Expect During Your Session at ROC

Most patients describe HBOT as relaxing and peaceful. Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish:

Before Treatment

• You’ll complete a medical evaluation to ensure HBOT is safe for you.

• You’ll change into 100% cotton scrubs (which we provide) free of metals or lotions.

• Our hyperbaric technicians will check your vitals prior to each treatment.

During Treatment

• You’ll lie comfortably inside a clear, spacious single-patient chamber.

• As the chamber pressurizes, you may feel fullness in your ears, similar to airplane ascent.

• You can watch TV, listen to music, or rest quietly during the session.

After Treatment

• Pressure is slowly lowered back to normal.

• Our technicians will once again check your vitals.

• Patients typically feel relaxed and ready to resume normal activities.

• Our team monitors your progress throughout your treatment course.

Who Benefits Most from HBOT?

At ROC, we primarily treat conditions supported by strong clinical evidence, including:

Radiation-related injuries

• Cystitis

• Proctitis

• Osteoradionecrosis

• Soft-tissue radionecrosis

• Pelvic pain or non-healing wounds after cancer treatment

Chronic or Complex Wounds

• Diabetic foot ulcers

• Non-healing surgical wounds

• Infected or ischemic wounds

• Compromised grafts and flaps

Other Approved Conditions - though not often treated at ROC

• Carbon monoxide poisoning

• Crush injuries

• Air/gas embolism

• Certain severe infections

Our medical team will determine whether HBOT is appropriate based on your diagnosis, medical history, and treatment goals.

Looking Ahead: HBOT’s Expanding Role in Medicine

Research continues to explore new applications for HBOT, including its potential role in:

• Reducing delayed radiation side effects when used early

• Improving cancer outcomes by making treatments more effective

• Supporting neurological recovery

• Improving circulation and tissue health in chronic inflammatory conditions

As evidence grows, our team stays at the forefront to ensure patients in Kentucky have access to safe, advanced, and effective hyperbaric care.

Considering HBOT? We’re Here to Help.

If you or a loved one has a chronic wound or is experiencing radiation-related symptoms, HBOT may be an important part of your healing plan. Our team at ROC is here to answer your questions, coordinate with your providers, and guide you through every step of the

process.

If you have questions about HBOT and would like more information, please give us a call and we'll be happy to discuss your situation.

859-420-6362