Myths vs Facts About Hyperbaric Treatment
Separating what is true about hyperbaric oxygen therapy from what is not
If you have searched for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), you have probably run into a mix of hopeful stories, celebrity headlines, and a fair amount of confusion. It can be hard to tell what is real. The truth is that HBOT is a well-established medical treatment, yet myths still cloud the way people understand it. At Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center, we believe clear answers help you make confident decisions about your care.
Continue reading to explore the most common myths and the facts behind them.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The increased pressure allows your lungs to take in far more oxygen than they could at normal air pressure. That oxygen-rich blood then travels throughout your body, supporting the natural healing of tissues, helping fight certain infections, and reducing inflammation.
Related resource:
How To Prepare For Your Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Appointment
Common myths and facts about hyperbaric oxygen therapy
HBOT has gained significant attention in recent years, and misinformation has spread alongside the real science. Some myths come from outdated ideas, others from headlines that oversimplify how the therapy works.
Believing them can keep people from a treatment that may genuinely help. Below, we clear up the myths we hear most often and share the facts that set the record straight.
Myth: HBOT is only for scuba divers.
Fact: While HBOT is the standard treatment for decompression sickness (the condition divers call “the bends”), it treats far more than that. The FDA has approved HBOT for more than a dozen conditions, including diabetic foot ulcers, chronic non-healing wounds, radiation tissue damage, serious infections, carbon monoxide poisoning, and compromised skin grafts.
Myth: HBOT is dangerous.
Fact: When delivered in a physician-supervised medical setting, HBOT is among the safest non-invasive medical treatments available. Serious complications are rare. Every session at our centers is overseen by trained medical staff who monitor your comfort and safety from start to finish.
Myth: HBOT causes serious side effects.
Fact: Most people respond well to HBOT. The side effects that may occur are typically mild and temporary, such as a feeling of fullness in the ears (similar to what you feel when a plane descends), brief lightheadedness, or mild fatigue. These usually resolve on their own. Some people actually feel the opposite: more energy, improved senses, and relaxation.
Myth: HBOT cures cancer.
Fact: This is an important one to clear up. HBOT is not a cancer treatment and does not cure cancer. What it can do is help patients recover from the tissue damage caused by radiation therapy, a delayed side effect that may appear months or even years after treatment ends.
Myth: HBOT has no place in plastic surgery recovery.
Fact: Quite the opposite. Many surgeons recommend HBOT before and after plastic and cosmetic procedures, where the added oxygen can ease swelling and bruising, support skin grafts and flaps, and help the body heal faster.
Myth: HBOT does not provide any wellness benefits.
Fact: Beyond its FDA-approved medical uses, many people turn to HBOT to support everyday health and recovery. At HHTC, our 45-minute hyperbaric mini-treatments deliver 100% oxygen to your body, and patients often leave feeling rejuvenated after a single session. A shorter dive may help speed healing, reduce swelling, support immune function and healthy blood flow, boost circulating stem cells, and sharpen relaxation and mental clarity, all guided by our qualified team.
Myth: HBOT is a celebrity fad with no real science behind it.
Fact: Headlines about athletes and celebrities may have made HBOT sound trendy, but the science is decades old. HBOT is offered in roughly 2,000 hospitals across the United States and is supported by extensive clinical research. Most people who receive it are everyday patients seeking healing, not A-list names. It is also a well-established treatment in many countries beyond the United States. While the FDA approves HBOT for more than a dozen conditions here at home, countries such as Japan, China, Russia, and Israel have approved it for an even wider range of uses. [1]
Myth: HBOT only helps sudden, acute problems.
Fact: HBOT supports both acute conditions, like carbon monoxide poisoning, and chronic ones that develop slowly over time, like diabetic wounds that will not heal. Acute cases may need only a few sessions, while chronic conditions often call for a longer, carefully planned course of treatment. In many traditional hospital settings, HBOT is introduced only after standard treatments have not produced enough improvement, which can make it feel like a last resort.
However, when appropriate patients are evaluated before their condition becomes more severe, adding HBOT to a comprehensive treatment plan may support healing and help reduce the risk of serious complications, including major amputation. HHTC was created to make medically supervised HBOT more accessible, giving patients the opportunity to explore treatment before their condition reaches a critical stage.
Myth: Every hyperbaric chamber feels cramped and claustrophobic.
Fact: Chambers are not one-size-fits-all, and many patients are surprised by how comfortable their sessions feel. During treatment, you can rest, relax, and let the oxygen do its work. If you have any comfort concerns, our team will walk you through exactly what to expect before you ever step inside.
Myth: All hyperbaric chambers are built the same
Fact: Hyperbaric chambers can differ greatly in their construction, pressure capabilities, oxygen delivery, and patient experience. Soft-sided chambers are portable and operate at lower pressures, while hard-sided medical chambers may be monoplace, treating one person at a time, or multiplace, accommodating several patients at once. Even hard-sided chambers vary in their size, technology, safety features, and comfort.
At HHTC, we use medical-grade Sechrist 3600 monoplace hard-sided chambers made with clear acrylic. This open design allows you to see outside throughout treatment while our trained team monitors you closely. Each chamber also includes streaming capabilities, so you can relax with a movie or television show during your session.
Myth: Insurance never covers HBOT.
Fact: Insurance may cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for certain FDA-approved conditions when it is medically necessary. Because medically supervised HBOT is provided in hospitals and physician-directed medical facilities, it is important to choose a qualified provider rather than simply any location offering hyperbaric therapy. Our team can also help you understand your insurance coverage and treatment options.
What the research says
HBOT is not experimental. It is a physician-directed therapy with a long track record and a growing body of clinical research. The medical community, including the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, recognizes HBOT for its FDA-approved uses, and researchers continue to study its role in wound healing, recovery, and other areas. When the treatment is guided by trained professionals, you get the benefits of both established science and personalized care.
Learn more:
Why You Should Take Your Healing Journey With Us
Get the facts from a team you can trust
At Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center, we are here to replace confusion with clarity. Whether you are exploring HBOT for a chronic wound, recovery support, or another condition, our experienced team will answer your questions honestly and help you understand whether treatment is right for you. With locations in Orlando, New Smyrna Beach, and Leesburg, compassionate hyperbaric care is close to home.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatments and take the first step towards a healthier, revitalized future. Your path to healing begins here—let us be a part of your wellness journey.
