Your body needs oxygen to survive. But it also needs oxygen to heal. Most people breathe in about 21 percent oxygen at normal air pressure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy dramatically increases both the concentration and pressure of oxygen your body receives, flooding tissues with healing oxygen at a cellular level.
The results can be remarkable. Patients recovering from injuries, surgery, chronic illness, brain fog, and even long COVID have found significant relief through HBOT. At Well Centered Wellness in Sanford, NC, we offer mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy as part of our advanced recovery services.
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works
During a hyperbaric oxygen session, you rest comfortably inside a pressurized chamber while breathing pure oxygen or highly concentrated oxygen. The increased pressure allows oxygen to dissolve directly into your blood plasma, not just your red blood cells.
This matters because plasma can carry oxygen to areas of the body with reduced blood flow. Injured tissues, inflamed joints, and oxygen-deprived brain cells all benefit when oxygen is able to reach them in higher concentrations than normal breathing allows.
The science behind this is well established. Oxygen at elevated pressure:
- Accelerates the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
- Reduces inflammation in damaged tissues
- Stimulates stem cell release from bone marrow
- Supports the immune system in fighting infection
- Enhances the body's ability to repair connective tissue
- Promotes neuroplasticity and brain healing
What Conditions Can HBOT Help?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a growing list of applications in both conventional and integrative medicine. Here are the conditions we most commonly see respond well to HBOT at our clinic.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion
Oxygen deprivation and inflammation are central to brain injury. HBOT has been used extensively in military and sports medicine settings to support recovery from concussion, TBI, and the lingering effects of brain trauma. Many patients report improved clarity, better sleep, and reduced headaches.
Post COVID Syndrome
Long COVID is characterized by persistent fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and widespread inflammation. HBOT addresses the underlying oxygen deficit and inflammatory pathways that drive these symptoms.
Wound Healing
Chronic wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, and slow healing surgical wounds respond well to hyperbaric oxygen. The increased oxygen supply supports new tissue growth and fights off infection.
Recovery After Surgery
HBOT before and after surgical procedures can significantly speed recovery by reducing inflammation, decreasing swelling, and enhancing tissue repair.
Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions
Chronic inflammation drives a wide range of conditions including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and inflammatory bowel disease. HBOT's anti-inflammatory effects can provide meaningful relief when combined with other treatments.
Athletic Performance and Recovery
Serious athletes use HBOT to recover faster between training sessions and competitions. When paired with our red light therapy program, the combination is especially powerful for tissue repair and performance optimization.
Mental Health and Cognitive Function
Depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline are often linked to reduced cerebral blood flow and neuroinflammation. HBOT has shown promising results in improving mood, focus, and mental clarity in patients with these conditions.
Most patients at Well Centered Wellness report noticeably improved energy and mental clarity after just a few HBOT sessions. A typical protocol runs 10 to 40 sessions depending on your goals and condition.
What a Session at Well Centered Wellness Looks Like
We offer mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy using a soft-sided pressurized chamber. This makes sessions more comfortable and accessible than the hard-shell chambers used in hospital settings.
Here is what to expect.
Arrival and Check-In
You arrive for your session, change into comfortable clothing, and review any updates to your health status with our team. Sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes.
Inside the Chamber
You enter the pressurized chamber and can read, listen to music, or simply rest while the pressure gradually increases to 1.3 to 1.5 ATA. You breathe normally and may feel a slight change in pressure similar to descending in an airplane.
After the Session
Most patients feel energized, calm, and clear-headed after a session. There is no downtime required. You can return to normal activities immediately.
Is HBOT Safe?
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy has an excellent safety profile. Side effects are rare and typically minor, such as temporary ear pressure similar to what you feel on an airplane. Our team reviews your health history before your first session to confirm HBOT is appropriate for you.
Patients with certain conditions including active ear infections, recent ear surgery, or claustrophobia should discuss these with our team before starting. We take every precaution to ensure your experience is safe and comfortable.
Combining HBOT With Other Therapies
HBOT works even better when combined with other treatments. At Well Centered Wellness, we often pair it with peptide therapy for accelerated healing, red light therapy for cellular regeneration, and our holistic wellness programs for whole-body support.