• HBOT is not a medicine or treatment, however it is like any other medicine or drug; with indications, contra-indications and potential side-effects.  A qualified physician needs to ensure HBOT is appropriately prescribed, as it is possible for the high levels of oxygen or the pressure to cause harm.

  • Contact your healthcare provider/doctor to explore Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy if you have a chronic wound or other medical condition that might benefit from this treatment. Your healthcare provider will help you determine whether this procedure is right for you.

    If you receive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and develop breathing problems, call ‘999’ immediately.

  • Yes, hyperbaric oxygen is healthy. It’s pure oxygen, which helps your immune system fight bacteria and generate stem cells. Stem cells are special cells in your body that help create other types of important cells, including blood cells, brain cells and muscle cells.

  • No. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is prescribed by a trained professional and performed under operator’s supervision. It is non-invasive therapy with very few rare potential side effects and has very few contraindications. However it is not always safe and you must always consult your doctor before embarking on a treatment plan, you must also complete the Bath Oxygen Clinic screening process to ensure you meet the criteria to receive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and you must update Bath Oxygen Clinic with any changes to your medical history each and every time you visit the clinic.

    The risks will be discussed with you before you sign your consent form for therapy.

    You cannot receive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy if:

    You have suffered a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).

    You have a lung disease that may increase your risk of getting a collapsed lung, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and emphysema.

    You have a fever or cold.

    You have recently injured your ear.

    You have recently had ear surgery.

  • No, you shouldn’t get Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy if you’re pregnant. Your placenta is a temporary organ that connects a growing foetus to your uterus during pregnancy. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can cause the muscles around the blood vessels in your placenta to narrow (constrict), which may cause low oxygen levels in the foetus’s blood (foetal hypoxia).

  • There are several stages during a typical treatment.

    Initially the client enters the chamber, lies down and the chamber door is closed.

    The first stage is compression, in which the chamber is pressurized to the prescribed degree, most commonly 2.0 atmospheres absolute (the equivalent of 33 feet below the surface of the ocean).

    The chamber is maintained at this pressure (depth) and patients breathe close to 100 percent oxygen via an oxygen mask.

    Clients are given two air breaks during this oxygen-breathing period where they can take off the oxygen mask if treatment is 90 minutes.
    No air break is required if a treatment is for 60 minutes.

    Depending on the duration of the treatment, after the oxygen periods are finished, the chamber is depressurized and the session ends. You can then exit the chamber.

  • At the start of the session, oxygen starts flowing in through the oxygen mask, and pressure in the chamber gradually increases.

    You may start to feel a sensation of fullness in the ears, similar to ascending or descending in an aeroplane. This fullness should only last about 10-15 minutes and our experienced HBOT chamber operator will guide you in order to relieve any ear pressure.

    Once treatment pressure is reached, you can relax and just breathe normally.

    Near the end of your session, our HBOT operator will gradually decrease the pressure in the chamber which takes about 10 minutes.
    During this decompression stage, it is common for patients to experience a slight popping sensation in the ears as a result of the change in pressure.

    The majority of clients find Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sessions to be calming and relaxing.

  • The majority of patients find Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sessions to be calming and relaxing. People tend to relax, sleep or even read.
    You may experience some mild ear discomfort, similar to the sensation you would experience while flying, diving or driving up a mountain.
    However, HBOT should not be painful. If you do experience any earaches during treatment, inform the chamber operator immediately. Our chamber operators can help to alleviate pain by instructing you to equalise your ear pressure or even adjusting the pressure of the chamber to resolve the issue.

  • You can return to your usual daily activities immediately following a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy session. Most people see benefits from HBOT after several sessions. It’s important to continue your full course of therapy and stay in touch with your doctor. Consistent monitoring enables you and your doctor to identify potential complications.

  • We use single-occupancy hyperbaric chambers, which are designed to accommodate only one person at a time lying down. The chambers are compressed with air and oxygen is given through a face mask. We provide you with a fresh cotton sheet and pillow and we keep your own personalised oxygen mask that you use every time you come to Bath Oxygen Clinic.

    Our oxygen chambers have a clear acrylic window that allows our operators to closely monitor you and you can also see outside the chamber, which helps you relax. This window also allows you and the operator to communicate.

  • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is generally considered extremely safe, so whilst rare, risks of HBOT can include:

    • Middle ear injuries/barotrauma of the ear

    • Sinus congestion and pressure

    • Temporary near-sightedness

    • Claustrophobia

    • Oxygen toxicity

    • Seizures


    At Bath Oxygen Clinic, the therapy is prescribed by a trained professional and performed under the operator’s supervision. All appropriate measures are taken to prevent any possible adverse effects.

  • We advise loose-fitting cotton clothing, and avoid cosmetics, perfumes, hairsprays, deodorants and jewellery.

    The chamber operators need to know if any medications, including non-prescription drugs are being taken, and patients are advised not to take alcohol or carbonated drinks for four hours prior to treatment.

    Both nicotine and caffeine cause blood vessels to constrict and may reduce the effectiveness of HBOT. We strongly advise avoidance of all tobacco during the period of your treatments.

    Please have a light meal one to two hours before your scheduled treatment.

  • Wear normal everyday clothes - we recommend soft loose fitting relaxed clothes. Please come to the clinic in the clothes you are going to wear in the oxygen chamber. It is possible, under certain circumstance,s to change at the clinic.

  • If you have diabetes, you must consult your doctor to find out exactly what they recommend and you must inform Bath Oxygen Clinic. Your blood glucose should be checked before and after each treatment, because HBOT can occasionally lower blood glucose levels.

  • Our premises has wheelchair access, however unfortunately we do not have a Hyperbaric Chamber that can accommodate wheel chairs currently. We hope to include this availability in the near future, subject to demand.

  • We do not offer parking at the clinic, although drop-off for patients is possible. We are located opposite the Sainsbury's car park, very conveniently in the centre of Bath.

  • Patients are accepted either by self-referral or with a physician's referral. All patients are evaluated by our own trained team and individualized treatment protocols are prescribed, based on their specific needs.

    To schedule an evaluation, please call us at 01225 ?????? or email info@bathoxygenclinic.co.uk