Trying Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
9th August 2024 - New Experience Number 15.
I had no idea that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy even existed where I live. It came up when I was searching online for some new things to try, and it didn’t take me long to book in for a taster session with Oxify.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is most often used as a form of treatment, but can be used for general wellbeing too. It is non-invasive and there are no drugs involved.
It has mostly been used in a medical environment, and been prescribed by professionals, but is now becoming a therapy that individuals can access independently.
Sometimes shortened to HbOT, the simplest explanation is that it is breathing 100% Oxygen in a pressurised environment.
The air we breathe day-to-day contains around 21% oxygen, which is perfect for us to function. However, HBoT sees people breathing over 95% oxygen through a mask. The pressurised environment is usually created inside a chamber which the individual goes inside.
Whilst breathing a higher level of oxygen can have positive effects on its own, being inside the hyperbaric chamber means that there’s a considerable increase in how much of that oxygen is dissolved in the bloodstream and carried through the body.
How I Felt Before Trying Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Aside from feeling a little apprehensive before my session, I felt good! I’d been for my morning run and had a usual breakfast. I didn’t have any particular aches, pains or ailments that I was hoping would benefit from the experience.
However, as a regular runner I was interested to see if there might be any impact in that regard. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the therapy, but as always, I was looking forward to trying something different!
A Friendly Welcome
The centre was clean, light and airy. Jenna welcomed me in with a friendly smile, and asked me to fill in the consent form. The previous client packed up from their session; it was nice to hear how much they had enjoyed their experience as they were leaving.
Happy with the responses I’d completed on the consent sheet, I was taken into the therapy area. Whilst I remained fully clothed for the session, I was asked to remove my shoes.
The Hyperbaric Chamber
To create the pressurised environment for the oxygen to work even more of it’s usual magic, therapy takes place inside a chamber, sometimes called a pod.
It looked like a cross between something an astronaut might use in training, a futuristic camp bed, and a piece of equipment from a Bond film.
I crawled inside and made myself comfortable on the plastic cushioning.
It was fairly spacious, although you might not say that if you are claustrophobic.
There were plenty of windows in the chamber they use at Oxify, meaning it was not only quite light inside, but also easy to see the staff.
The Oxygen Mask
I took the mask from Jenna and positioned it over my nose and mouth, adjusting the strap over my head to hold it in place. Whilst the chamber provides the pressure, the mask is hooked up to deliver the oxygen.
Checking I was at ease and breathing normally, she then put the door in place and began to increase the pressure.
What It Was Like As The Pressure Increased
Already it felt a bit like being in a plane due to the shape of the windows and the oxygen mask. As the pressure increased there was another familiar flight sensation as I had to yawn and move my jaw to help my ears pop.
It was noisier than I’d anticipated. Not only is there the sound of the air, there are also various creaking and cracking sounds. This is from the soft chamber which slightly expands and stretches into shape as the pressure increases.
Jenna’s smiling face kept checking on me through the window. I felt perfectly at ease and gave her a thumbs up to indicate I was ok.
Relaxing Whilst Trying Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Around 3 minutes later the chamber was taut and pressurised. The noise abated and whilst it wasn’t silent, the sound of the air was almost a rhythmic white noise that was surprisingly relaxing.
As this was just a taster session lasting 15 minutes, I didn’t have all that long to relax. Apparently, some people take a book in with them to read, whilst others take a device and watch a film, and other people simply enjoy the opportunity to lie back and unwind.
Jenna returned to her desk for this part of the session. I could see her at all times and easily attract her attention if I needed to.
The Strangest Sensation
One of the strangest sensations of the whole experience, was seeing the door change shape. It was definitely a circle when it was put in place to seal me in. Yet as the pressure increased and the chamber expanded, the door seemed to stretch to become oval. It was quite bizarre!
Decompressing And Returning To Regular Pressure
As my time neared an end, Jenna returned to decompress the chamber. This was the only part of the process which made me feel slightly anxious. As the pressure changed, the sound of the air became more like a loud whistling wind which kept on rising in pitch.
It sounded like it was going to keep going until something popped. Of course it didn’t, that was just my overactive imagination running away with me. Jenna was on hand at all times to make sure I was ok, and it was all just part of the process.
Again, I needed to pop my ears a few times, but that was the only way thing that I felt throughout the whole session.
How I Felt After Trying Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
I felt as though I was bubbling over with energy as I crawled out of the chamber. I’d already been for my daily run, but it felt as though I could have gone out and run a marathon.
It was an amazingly invigorating feeling, and I was really surprised by it! I didn’t put this energy to good use though, as I went out for dinner with family, which was very nice!
An Abundance Of Benefits
There are lots of claims about all of the benefits that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can bring.
- In terms of health and wellbeing, HbOT can apparently improve memory, support brain function and help with sleep.
- For active people, the therapy can reportedly enhance performance and aid recovery time from some sporting injuries.
- There are claims it can also alleviate symptoms from things such as chronic fatigue syndrome, alzheimers, fibromyalgia, long covid and more.
- It’s also suggested that it can slow the signs of aging.
Whilst the impact of any benefits will be different for everyone, why not give it a go and try a taster session to see how it feels for you.
Trying Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy With Oxify
It was really easy to book my session online with Oxify. Their website has lots of information, details and helpful videos too. I paid for my taster session at the venue after I had completed the therapy.
The staff were really friendly and helpful and will put you at ease if you’re uneasy or unsure about anything.
The chamber is cleaned between each client, and everyone receives their own individual mask. After the session you are given a bag to take your mask away with you. This means it reduces single use equipment, and you also know that only you have used it.
They deliver 95% oxygen and the chamber is pressurised so it’s almost one and a half times higher than what we usually experience.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- I booked my session with Oxify. They were really helpful and friendly and have centres around the UK in Retford, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, and York.
- You can also find the therapy at Pure Spa UK who have locations across the country.
- Check online to see if there are any centres near you.
- Bear in mind that not all chambers are the same, and some may not have any windows.
- Your experience will differ depending on where you have the therapy.
- If you’re interested in similar experiences, take a look at the relaxing experiences I’ve had a go at, including how you can try them too.
Cost Of Experience
- The 15 minute taster session cost £10 in August 2024.
- Usual sessions last for either 60 minutes or 90 minutes.
- An individual 60 minute session costs £60, whilst an individual 90 minute session costs £80.
- If you book sessions in blocks the price is cheaper.
- The price will vary depending on where you book in for the experience.
Recommendations
- Whilst Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is non invasive and does not involve any drugs, you may want to check with your doctor before you give it a try.
- Wear something comfortable
- If you’re booking in for a 60 minute session or longer, consider taking a book or something to watch with you.
- If you experience claustrophobia, you may want to give this a miss.
- Enjoy a different form of restorative therapy, lie back and let the oxygen work its magic.
- Let me know how you get on if you give it a go!
This sounds fascinating to experience (the change in the shape of the door is quite something)! I am not sure I would do so well in something like this, but I can see that for those who benefit from it, this is another great thing to try out.
It really was fascinating, and I was pleasantly surprised how good I felt afterwards. I can definitely see it wouldn’t be for everyone, especially if people aren’t keen on confined spaces! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! It’s very much appreciated. :o)
This is interesting, haven’t tried this therapy before but that’s cool you got to try it and something new to you as well.
It’s certainly a bit different, and I was really surprised by how I felt afterwards.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and for the comment too. :o)
I’ve never heard of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy either, and I have to say I’d be very skeptical of something like this. Often claims made by such things lack any peer review or even valid scientific methodology. Nonetheless, I’d like to read the research they’re using to base there claims on. Also, what are the risks to breathing high concentrations of oxygen at high pressure if there’s no medical reason for it? Hyperoxia comes to mind as a potential risk
I’m with you on the claims, there were lots of them, and no research or evidence that I could see to back them up. I’m sure if I dug deeper I’d find it. I’m skeptical about most of the things they said it could help with, but having tried it, I know it definitely made me feel more energetic. As with many things there’s a risk, and they did explain them to me, maybe I should add that in, but especially with a 15 minute taster session it was very minimal. This definitely won’t be for everyone, and I think if people are considering it for some of the more serious claims they should absolutely check in with their doctors first. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. Definitely some good points to consider.