Straight Answers
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions
The questions people ask us most — about cost, safety, sessions, and getting started with HBOT in Modesto — answered plainly. Can't find yours? Ask us directly.
The Basics
About HBOT
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an advanced, oxygen-based therapy in which you breathe a higher concentration of oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The increased pressure allows your blood to carry more oxygen to your tissues, which may support the body's natural healing response. At Generations Wellness, HBOT is provided only as part of a physician-directed care plan.
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
Under gently increased pressure, your lungs take in more oxygen than they can at normal air pressure, and that extra oxygen dissolves directly into your blood plasma. This helps improve oxygen delivery to compromised tissues — areas where circulation or healing is impaired. Over a course of sessions, this may support wound healing, tissue recovery, and circulation.
For the full walkthrough, see what a full session looks like.
Your Visit
Sessions and What to Expect
What does an HBOT session feel like?
Most people compare the start of a session to an airplane taking off: you feel gentle pressure in your ears, which you can relieve by swallowing or yawning. Once the chamber reaches pressure, you simply rest — many patients nap, listen to music, or watch a show. You are in contact with our staff for the entire session.
How long does a session last?
A typical session lasts about 90 minutes to two hours, including the time it takes to gradually pressurize and depressurize the chamber. Your physician sets the exact session length and pressure as part of your individual care plan.
How many sessions will I need?
A typical course is 20 to 40 sessions, usually scheduled as one session per day, several days a week. The number depends on your condition and how your tissue responds; your physician will recommend a course and adjust it based on your progress.
What should I wear or bring to a session?
Wear comfortable, 100% cotton clothing, and skip lotions, perfumes, hairspray, and makeup on session days, because the chamber is an oxygen-rich environment. Jewelry, watches, electronics, and anything that could create a spark stay outside the chamber with our staff. We provide a complete preparation checklist before your first session.
What if I'm claustrophobic?
This is one of the most common concerns, and most patients adjust within their first session or two. You can see out of the chamber, communicate with our team the entire time, and stop at any point. If you're anxious, tell us in advance — we can walk you through the chamber beforehand, and your physician can discuss options to help you feel at ease.
Can I drive myself home after a session?
Yes — most patients drive themselves to and from sessions and return to their normal day. If you feel tired after a session, we'll invite you to rest before heading out. Any individual restrictions are covered during your physician assessment.
Safety First
Safety and Eligibility
Is HBOT safe? What are the side effects?
When delivered with proper medical screening and supervision, HBOT is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are temporary ear or sinus pressure, mild fatigue after a session, and occasionally short-term changes in vision. Serious complications are rare, and our screening process and physician oversight are designed to minimize risk — all of this is discussed with you before you begin.
Who should not have hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBOT is not appropriate for everyone. It is generally not used in people with an untreated collapsed lung (pneumothorax), and extra caution applies with certain lung conditions, recent ear surgery or injury, an active cold, fever, or congestion, and certain chemotherapy medications. This is exactly why a physician assessment is mandatory before starting at our center.
Is HBOT FDA-cleared? What conditions is it approved for?
The FDA has cleared hyperbaric chambers for a specific set of conditions — examples include select non-healing diabetic wounds of the lower extremities, delayed radiation injury, compromised skin grafts and flaps, certain serious infections, carbon monoxide poisoning, and decompression sickness. HBOT has not been proven safe or effective for many other conditions you may see marketed elsewhere. Our physician will tell you honestly whether HBOT is appropriate for your situation.
See the full honest list on our page about conditions where HBOT may help.
Will HBOT replace my current medical treatment?
No. HBOT complements — and never replaces — the medical treatment prescribed by your doctors. You should continue all prescribed care, and with your permission we coordinate with your existing providers so HBOT fits into your overall care plan.
Practical Matters
Cost, Insurance, and Getting Started
How much does HBOT cost, and does insurance cover it?
Costs depend on the number of sessions your physician recommends; across the U.S., medical-grade HBOT commonly runs a few hundred dollars per session. Insurance — including Medicare — may cover HBOT for certain FDA-recognized conditions when specific criteria are met, while other uses are typically self-pay. We review pricing and any coverage questions with you clearly before you commit to a course.
Do I need a doctor's referral to start?
You do not need a referral to contact us, but a physician assessment is mandatory before anyone begins HBOT at our center. If your treating doctor referred you, we'll coordinate with them and keep them informed; if you're reaching out on your own, our assessment determines whether HBOT is appropriate for you.
How soon will I notice results?
It varies from person to person and condition to condition. HBOT's potential benefits tend to build gradually over a full course of sessions — often 20 to 40 — rather than after one or two visits. Your physician monitors your progress throughout, and we will never promise or guarantee a specific outcome.
Still Curious?
Have a Question We Didn't Answer?
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Call us at (369) 222-0979