Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in North County San Diego
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in North County San Diego
If you’ve been searching for a non-invasive way to support recovery, boost energy, or simply feel sharper and more resilient, hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be exactly what you’re looking for. Here at our North County San Diego practice, we’ve watched clients walk out of the chamber with renewed vitality—whether they came in recovering from surgery, training for their next triathlon, or just trying to shake persistent brain fog. Let’s break down what HBOT actually is, how it works, and whether it might fit into your wellness goals.
Key Takeaways
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a non-invasive medical treatment where clients relax inside a pressurized environment and breathe pure oxygen, allowing the body to absorb significantly more oxygen than under normal air pressure—supporting tissue growth, recovery, and overall wellness.
In our Encinitas and North County San Diego practice, we primarily use HBOT for wellness applications like sports recovery, brain health support, post-surgical healing, and chronic inflammation—not for emergency hospital indications such as decompression sickness or acute carbon monoxide poisoning.
A typical HBOT session (often called a “dive”) lasts about 60–90 minutes, is done several times per week, and most clients notice benefits like improved energy, faster recovery, and clearer thinking over a series of 10–40 sessions depending on their goals.
HBOT is generally very safe when supervised by trained providers, though mild ear pressure, temporary fatigue, or short-term vision changes can occasionally occur and typically resolve on their own.
If you’re in Encinitas, Carlsbad, or greater North County San Diego and curious about whether HBOT fits your health and recovery goals, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Picture yourself lying comfortably inside a specially designed hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, breathing highly concentrated oxygen while the pressure around you gently increases—kind of like descending in an airplane or diving a few feet underwater, except you stay completely dry and relaxed. That’s HBOT in a nutshell.
Under normal conditions at sea level (1 atmosphere absolute, or ATA), your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body via hemoglobin. But when you enter a hyperbaric environment—typically 1.3 to 2.0 ATA in wellness settings—something interesting happens. The increased air pressure allows your plasma (the liquid part of your blood) to dissolve far more oxygen than it normally could. This means oxygen can reach tissues that might otherwise be starved for it, especially in areas where blood flow is compromised or healing has stalled.
Hospitals in San Diego and across the country use high-pressure HBOT (often 2.4 to 3.0 ATA) for emergency medical conditions like decompression sickness, gas embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, and late radiation tissue injury. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society has established clear guidelines for these uses. Meanwhile, med spas and wellness clinics like ours use mild-to-moderate pressures for recovery, performance optimization, and general wellness support.
The core idea behind hyperbaric oxygen treatment is straightforward: temporarily supercharge oxygen delivery throughout your body. This extra oxygen can support tissue repair, calm inflammation, and encourage the growth of new blood vessels in areas that are slow to heal—whether that’s a stubborn surgical wound, fatigued muscles, or even brain tissue recovering from a concussion.
Sessions are non-surgical, completely noninvasive, and clients remain awake and able to communicate with staff throughout the entire treatment. There’s no anesthesia, no needles, and no downtime.
How HBOT Works: The Science in Plain English
Let’s skip the heavy medical jargon and talk about what’s actually happening in your body during hyperbaric therapy.
When the ambient pressure inside the chamber increases (measured in atmospheres absolute, or ATA), something called Henry’s law kicks in. Essentially, gases dissolve more readily into liquids under higher pressure. During a normal breath of room air, your blood cells do most of the oxygen-carrying work through hemoglobin. But in a hyperbaric chamber, your plasma itself becomes saturated with dissolved oxygen—delivering 10 to 15 times more oxygen to your tissues than normal.
Why does this matter? Because this extra oxygen can diffuse much farther into swollen, damaged, or poorly circulated tissue. Think of it as giving your cells extra fuel for repair and energy production, even in areas where blood supply has been compromised by injury, surgery, or chronic conditions.
Here’s what the research tells us about HBOT’s mechanisms:
Mechanism
What It Does
Reduced inflammation
Calms swelling in healthy tissues without causing hypoxia, thanks to the compensatory oxygen surge
Angiogenesis
Stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in hypoxic or damaged areas
Collagen formation
Supports fibroblast activity for tissue scaffolding and wound healing
Enhanced immunity
Activates leukocyte oxidative killing and synergizes with antibiotics against certain infections
Stem cell mobilization
Helps mobilize bone marrow stem cells to peripheral sites for repair
Metabolic waste clearance
Assists the body in clearing waste products more efficiently
From a neurological standpoint, improved oxygenation may support brain metabolism, promote neuroplasticity, and assist recovery after concussions or prolonged stress. Research is active and evolving, and individual results vary—but the underlying science points to real potential for supporting central nervous system recovery and cognitive function.
Conditions and Goals HBOT Can Support
It’s important to distinguish between FDA-approved medical indications and the wellness or “off-label” applications commonly sought at Encinitas and Carlsbad med spas.
On the medical side with our medical director, hyperbaric medicine is well-established for conditions like:
Decompression illness (the “bends” in divers)
Acute carbon monoxide poisoning
Gas embolism
Diabetic foot ulcers and chronic wounds
Radiation injuries and late radiation tissue injury from cancer therapy
Severe anemia when transfusion isn’t possible
Crush injury and compartment syndrome
Central retinal artery occlusion
Compromised skin grafts and surgical wounds
Necrotizing soft tissue infections and osteomyelitis
These indications are backed by systematic reviews and clinical trials. For instance, evidence suggests that diabetic wound healing rates improve by up to 85% with HBOT compared to conventional care, and further research continues to expand our understanding.
But many clients seek HBOT for goals that aren’t on the FDA’s formal list. Here are some common wellness-related reasons people visit our San Diego center:
Post-surgical recovery (cosmetic, orthopedic, or dental procedures)
Sports injuries and performance recovery
Chronic soft tissue pain and stubborn inflammation
Brain fog, focus issues, and cognitive support
Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion recovery
Healthy aging and longevity support
Immune support and upper respiratory infections
In North County San Diego, many of our clients are surfers dealing with repetitive shoulder and back strains, endurance athletes recovering between competitions, and busy professionals seeking faster recovery, better sleep, and clearer thinking.
Research on neurological applications—stroke recovery, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and even autism—is still evolving. Some studies show promising results, while others are mixed. Expectations should be realistic, and treatment is best coordinated with a primary physician or specialist who knows your full medical history.
HBOT is not a cure-all or a replacement for standard medical treatment. It’s a tool that can be integrated into a broader, personalized wellness or rehabilitation plan—one piece of a larger puzzle.
Types of Hyperbaric Chambers You May Encounter
Not all hyperbaric chambers are created equal. The type of chamber, the pressure range, and the setting (hospital versus wellness clinic) all affect what conditions it’s suited to address.
Monoplace Chambers
These are single-person, rigid acrylic tubes typically found in hospitals. The patient lies inside while the entire chamber is pressurized with pure oxygen. Monoplace chambers often run at higher pressures (2.0 to 3.0 ATA) and are used for serious medical conditions. They’re precise and effective but limit throughput to one patient at a time.
Multiplace Chambers
Larger, room-like steel chambers can accommodate several patients at once. These are common in hospital-based hyperbaric centers. Patients inside a multiplace chamber breathe oxygen via masks or hoods while the chamber itself is pressurized with normal air. This setup is well-suited for acute settings and allows medical staff to be inside with patients if needed.
Mild or “Soft” Hyperbaric Chambers
In outpatient and wellness environments around Encinitas and Carlsbad, you’ll often encounter soft-sided or semi-rigid chambers. These typically operate at milder pressures—around 1.3 to 1.5 ATA—with oxygen delivered via a mask or nasal cannula. While they don’t reach the intensity of hospital-grade units, they’re highly effective for wellness applications and are more accessible for regular use.
At our clinic, we use medically supervised, FDA-compliant equipment and follow strict maintenance and safety protocols. We don’t cut corners with low-quality or unregulated devices—your safety and results matter too much for that.
What to Expect During a Hyperbaric Session
If you’ve never been inside a hyperbaric chamber before, it’s completely natural to have questions. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of what your first HBOT visit looks like at our North County San Diego location.
The Intake Process
Before your first dive, we’ll review your health history, current medications, and any recent surgeries or medical treatments. We’ll discuss your goals—whether that’s supporting post-op recovery before a specific date, getting back to training after an injury, or addressing persistent fatigue. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, and we’ll explain both the benefits and potential risks so you feel fully informed.
During the Session
You’ll change into comfortable clothing (we recommend loose cotton without metal zippers or buttons). Once inside the chamber, the pressure gradually increases over about 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll likely feel your ears “pop,” similar to what happens during an airplane’s descent—this is normal and can be managed with techniques like swallowing or gentle jaw movements.
Once at full pressure, you simply relax for 60 to 90 minutes. Many clients listen to music, practice guided meditation, or catch up on sleep. The chamber is well-lit, and you can communicate with our staff at any time.
After the Session
Decompression at the end is slow and controlled. Staff will check in with you throughout. Most people feel relaxed and slightly tired afterward—similar to that pleasant fatigue after a deep massage or a long nap. Some clients notice subtle shifts in energy or clarity right away; others find the benefits build over multiple sessions.
Treatment Plans
Wellness protocols typically involve 10 to 40 sessions spaced several times per week. The exact number depends on your goals, response, age, and any underlying medical conditions. We personalize every schedule rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach—because your needs aren’t the same as anyone else’s.
Safety, Side Effects, and Who Is (and Isn’t) a Good Candidate
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy hbot has been used safely for decades in hospitals worldwide, and in a supervised setting, serious complications are rare. That said, proper screening is essential before starting any hyperbaric treatment.
Common Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and temporary:
Side Effect
Notes
Ear pressure or ear pain
Similar to flying; manageable with swallowing or jaw movements. Middle ear barotrauma is the most common issue (10–20% incidence) but usually minor.
Sinus pressure
Typically resolves as pressure normalizes
Temporary fatigue
Many clients feel relaxed or sleepy after a session
Short-term vision changes
Temporary myopia can occur due to lens oxygen saturation; resolves after completing sessions
Oxygen toxicity
Rare (<3%) when protocols stay under 2.4 ATA and 90 minutes; involves central nervous system symptoms like seizures
Contraindications and Precautions
Certain conditions require careful evaluation or may rule out HBOT entirely:
Untreated tension pneumothorax (collapsed lung): absolute contraindication
Severe COPD with air trapping
Recent ear surgery or middle ear injuries
Untreated upper respiratory infections
Certain chemotherapy agents (discuss with your oncologist)
Fetal hemoglobin considerations in newborns (hospital setting only)
Pregnancy is a special situation. Emergency HBOT for carbon monoxide poisoning during pregnancy may be lifesaving and is handled in hospital settings. Routine wellness HBOT, however, is usually deferred unless specifically directed by an obstetrician.
At our Encinitas clinic, every client is screened thoroughly before starting. You’re monitored throughout each dive, and we encourage you to report any discomfort immediately so we can adjust pressure or pause the session. Your safety always comes first.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Encinitas, Carlsbad, and North County San Diego
Living in North County San Diego means embracing an active, outdoor lifestyle—surfing at Swami’s, trail running in Batiquitos, weekend farmers markets, and year-round sunshine. But all that activity can take a toll on your body, and recovery becomes just as important as training.
That’s where hyperbaric oxygen therapy fits in.
Who We Commonly See
Surfers with repetitive shoulder and back strains
Triathletes recovering between races
Post-operative cosmetic and orthopedic patients
Professionals dealing with burnout, brain fog, or chronic stress
Individuals managing diabetes mellitus and slow-healing wounds
Anyone seeking support for healthy aging and longevity
Integrated Wellness Approach
We often combine HBOT treatments with other wellness modalities at our med spa—such as IV therapy, red light therapy, or lymphatic drainage—to create a coordinated recovery plan rather than isolated treatments. Evidence suggests that supplemental oxygen delivery works synergistically with other regenerative approaches, supporting everything from collagen synthesis to immune function.
Convenience and Support
Our location is easily accessible from Encinitas, Carlsbad, Cardiff, Rancho Santa Fe, and the broader North County area. We offer flexible scheduling around work and family commitments, and our staff is experienced in guiding first-timers through HBOT in a calming, supportive environment.
Ready to explore whether hyperbaric oxygenation fits into your wellness routine? Book a consultation—either online or by phone—to discuss whether HBOT is appropriate for you, what a protocol would look like, and how we can coordinate with your existing medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
How many HBOT sessions will I need before I notice results?
Some clients feel subtle changes—better sleep, calmer mood, less muscle soreness—after just a few sessions. Deeper tissue healing and brain-related goals often require 10 to 20 or more sessions to show significant progress.
Medical literature for chronic wounds and radiation injury typically uses 30 to 40 sessions, but wellness clients in Encinitas and Carlsbad may choose shorter or longer series depending on their specific goals and budget. We encourage you to treat the first 3 to 5 dives as an “intro phase” to see how your body responds, then refine the plan together with your provider.
Can I do HBOT if I’m also getting other treatments, like physical therapy or IV drips?
Absolutely. HBO therapy is often used alongside physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, IV nutrient therapy, and conventional medical treatment. Many clients notice better results when therapies are coordinated rather than siloed.
Just share a full list of your current medications and therapies with us so we can check for any specific timing considerations—for example, spacing certain medications or strenuous workouts around your sessions. Our team regularly coordinates with local physical therapists, surgeons, and primary care providers throughout North County San Diego.
Will I feel claustrophobic inside the chamber?
This is a common concern, and we get it. Modern chambers are clear or have windows, are well-lit, and allow continuous communication with staff. Most people adjust within the first few minutes, especially when they bring relaxing music or guided meditations.
If you have pronounced anxiety, we can start with shorter “test” sessions so you can acclimate at your own pace. And you can stop any session at any point simply by signaling staff—having that control helps many people feel more comfortable and less confined.
Is wellness HBOT covered by insurance?
In the United States, including California, most insurance plans only cover HBOT for specific FDA-approved medical conditions treated in hospital-based hyperbaric centers. This includes things like diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries, and decompression sickness.
Elective, wellness-focused oxygen therapy at med spas in Encinitas and Carlsbad is typically an out-of-pocket investment. However, some clients can use HSA or FSA funds depending on their plan. Contact our office for current pricing, package options, and any available promotions or membership programs.
How do I know if HBOT is right for me?
Consider HBOT if you’re dealing with slow healing, recurring sports injuries, stubborn inflammation, post-surgical recovery, or persistent fatigue that hasn’t fully responded to other approaches. It’s also worth exploring if you’re interested in supporting brain health, promoting tissue growth, or optimizing athletic performance.
The best way to find out is through an initial consultation where we review your medical history, current diagnoses, medications, and goals. We’ll determine whether HBOT is appropriate for you or if a referral to another specialist might be a better first step. If you’re in Encinitas, Carlsbad, or anywhere in North County San Diego, schedule a no-pressure visit to discuss your options and create a tailored recovery and wellness plan.
What’s the difference between breathing pure oxygen at home versus receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Breathing supplemental oxygen from a home concentrator delivers more oxygen to your lungs, but it doesn’t significantly increase plasma oxygen levels because you’re still at normal air pressure. The magic of hyperbaric treatment lies in the increased pressure—this forces far more oxygen into your plasma, allowing it to reach tissues that hemoglobin-bound oxygen in your blood cells simply can’t access as effectively. That’s why breathe oxygen under pressure produces fundamentally different results than oxygen therapy at ambient pressure.
Does HBOT help with tumor growth or interfere with cancer therapy?
This is an important question, and the answer requires nuance. Some concerns exist about whether hyperoxygenation could theoretically promote tumor growth, but current evidence suggests HBOT does not stimulate cancer progression and may actually support healing of radiation tissue damage caused by radiation therapy. That said, hyperbaric medicine in the context of cancer should always be discussed with your oncologist to ensure it’s appropriate for your specific situation and won’t interact with any chemotherapy protocols.