Accelerate healing.
HBO therapy delivers 100% pure oxygen at 2.5× atmospheric pressure, allowing your blood to carry more oxygen to repair injured tissue and fight infection.
Schedule a ConsultationWhat Is Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is a safe, noninvasive outpatient medical treatment prescribed by a doctor to enhance the body's ability to heal. During HBO therapy at Buffalo Vascular Care, patients breathe 100% pure oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber.
The pressure inside an HBO chamber is about two and a half times greater than the normal pressure in the atmosphere. This high-pressure environment allows the blood to carry significantly more oxygen to all parts of your body — repairing injured tissue and fighting certain infections, including those that occur in the bone.
Often used alongside other wound care treatments, HBO therapy has been shown to benefit patients with a range of conditions that respond to increased oxygen delivery.
Conditions That Benefit from HBO Therapy
Many different indications have been shown to benefit from HBO therapy, including:
What to Expect During HBO Therapy
Before Your Session
Prior to entering the chamber, you will be given a hospital gown to wear. Please leave all cosmetics, perfumes, hair preparations, deodorants, wigs, jewelry, and electronic devices outside the chamber. Be sure to let our HBO technician know about any medications you are taking — including non-prescription drugs — or any medical devices. Most pacemakers are allowed in the chamber.
We also advise patients not to drink alcohol or carbonated beverages for four hours prior to treatment. Because smoking and tobacco use interfere with the body's ability to transport oxygen, our wound care team will work with you on techniques to help stop smoking during the treatment period.
During Your Session
Each HBO treatment takes approximately two hours and is quite comfortable for most patients. During your session, you can rest, sleep, watch television, or listen to music.
During certain portions of the treatment, you may experience some fullness or a popping sensation in your ears — similar to what you might feel while flying in a plane or driving through the mountains. Our HBO technician will teach you simple techniques to clear your ears and relieve this sensation.
HBO Treatment Plan
HBO therapy is provided once daily for several weeks as part of your personalized treatment plan. For HBO therapy to be effective, it must be provided consistently — much like an antibiotic that only works when taken regularly for the full course prescribed by your provider.
We understand that coming to the HBO unit each day is a commitment. However, to obtain the greatest benefit from HBO therapy, we strongly advise attending every scheduled appointment. Consistency is the single most important factor in your healing.
One treatment per day, approximately two hours each
Treatment duration is customized to your specific condition
Consistency is critical — attend every session for optimal results