mHBOT – Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or mHBOT, involves relaxing inside a pressurised chamber while breathing concentrated oxygen through a mask.

The chamber is gradually pressurised to increase the amount of oxygen that can dissolve into the liquid part of your blood, called plasma.

At Mike Gould Sports Therapy, we use a mild hyperbaric chamber operating at pressures of up to 1.5 ATA.

How does it work?

Oxygen is essential for normal cell function, energy production and recovery.

In everyday life, the air we breathe is made up of roughly:

  • 78% nitrogen
  • 21% oxygen
  • around 1% other gases

Inside the chamber, the pressure is increased and you breathe concentrated oxygen through a mask, which can be up to around 95% oxygen.

The combination of increased pressure and higher oxygen concentration means more oxygen can dissolve into the blood plasma than would normally happen at sea level.

A simple way of thinking about it is that under normal conditions, most oxygen is carried around the body attached to red blood cells. Under increased pressure, more oxygen can also dissolve directly into the plasma.

That additional dissolved oxygen can then be transported around the body.

Why do people use mHBOT?

People use mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a variety of reasons, including recovery, general wellbeing and as part of a wider health or rehabilitation routine.

Some athletes and active people also choose to use mHBOT alongside their normal recovery strategies.

It is important to understand that mild hyperbaric therapy is not the same as hospital-based medical HBOT, which often uses higher pressures and is used for specific medical conditions.

What happens during a session?

The first few minutes are spent gradually increasing the pressure inside the chamber.

As the pressure rises, you may feel your ears start to pop, similar to take-off or landing on an aeroplane.

You’ll be shown how to equalise your ears before the session begins, and we can slow the pressurisation down if needed.

Once the chamber reaches the required pressure, you simply relax while breathing oxygen through the mask.

At the end of the session, the chamber is slowly depressurised again.

What should I expect in the chamber?

You’ll remove your shoes and get comfortable inside the chamber.

There is room to lie down and relax, or sit up if you prefer.

Most people spend the session reading, listening to something, watching a programme or simply relaxing.

The chamber walls will become firmer as the pressure increases, and you may notice some pressure in your ears or sinuses while the chamber is being pressurised and depressurised.

Safety and contraindications

mHBOT is generally well tolerated, but it isn’t suitable for everyone. Before using the chamber, we’ll ask you to complete a short screening form so we can check whether there is anything that needs further medical advice first.

Do not use mHBOT if you have an untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung).

You should speak to us and seek medical advice before using mHBOT if you:

  • have a history of pneumothorax or significant lung disease
  • have COPD, pulmonary blebs/bullae, or other significant respiratory problems
  • have recently had chest, ear or eye surgery
  • have an intraocular gas bubble following eye surgery
  • have significant ear or sinus problems
  • struggle to equalise the pressure in your ears
  • currently have a cold, blocked nose, sinus infection or respiratory infection
  • have an uncontrolled fever
  • have significant heart disease or heart failure
  • have severe claustrophobia
  • are pregnant
  • are currently receiving, or have previously received, certain chemotherapy drugs
  • have diabetes treated with insulin or other glucose-lowering medication
  • have any other medical condition that you are unsure about

Some conditions do not automatically mean you cannot use the chamber, but they may mean we need medical clearance first.

Possible side effects

Most people tolerate mHBOT well, although temporary side effects can include:

  • pressure or discomfort in the ears or sinuses
  • difficulty equalising the ears
  • light-headedness
  • fatigue after a session
  • temporary changes in blood glucose, particularly in people with diabetes

If you feel unwell or uncomfortable at any point, the session can be slowed or stopped.

What pressure do we use?

Our chamber operates at pressures of up to 1.5 ATA.

For comparison, 1 ATA is approximately normal atmospheric pressure at sea level.

The increase in pressure is gradual, and the whole process is monitored throughout the session.

In simple terms

You’re sitting in a pressurised environment while breathing a much higher concentration of oxygen than you would normally breathe in everyday air.

The aim is to increase the amount of oxygen available in the blood and tissues while you relax in the chamber.