At Central Coast Wound Care + Hyperbarics, we offer advanced treatments to help patients heal faster, more completely, and with fewer complications. One of the most effective tools in our care arsenal is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)—a non-invasive treatment that uses pressurized oxygen to support the body’s natural healing processes.
But how do you know if HBOT is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at what this therapy is, and who may benefit from it.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This increased oxygen concentration allows your blood to carry more oxygen to tissues throughout your body—especially areas that are damaged or struggling to heal. This stimulates new blood vessel growth, fights infection, reduces inflammation, and promotes faster tissue repair.
HBOT is FDA-approved for a number of conditions and is widely used in wound care settings to treat chronic, non-healing wounds.
Who Might Be a Good Candidate for HBOT?
If you or a loved one is dealing with any of the following conditions, you may be a good candidate for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:
Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Patients with diabetes often develop foot ulcers due to poor circulation and nerve damage. If you have a wound that hasn’t healed after 30 days, especially one that exposes deeper tissue or bone, HBOT may significantly improve your healing outcomes.
Radiation Injuries (Post-Cancer Treatment)
Radiation therapy for cancer can damage surrounding tissues, leading to pain, swelling, or non-healing wounds months or even years after treatment. HBOT is effective for treating radiation-induced tissue damage in areas like the jaw, bladder, rectum, and pelvic region.
Surgical Wounds That Aren’t Healing
If you’ve had surgery and the incision site isn’t healing as expected—or has become infected—HBOT can increase oxygen delivery to the affected area, reducing infection risk and supporting tissue regeneration.
Bone Infections (Chronic Osteomyelitis)
Persistent bone infections are difficult to treat with antibiotics alone. HBOT enhances the immune response and improves the effectiveness of antibiotics, making it a valuable part of treatment for chronic osteomyelitis.
Skin Grafts or Flaps at Risk of Failure
If you’ve had a skin graft or tissue flap that is struggling to “take,” HBOT can help improve blood flow to the area and increase the chances of successful graft healing.
Crush Injuries or Traumatic Wounds
For people with acute traumatic injuries, such as crush injuries or compromised soft tissue, HBOT can help minimize tissue death and accelerate healing—especially when used early in treatment.
Compromised Immune Function or Poor Circulation
Even if you don’t have a specific condition listed above, if your body has reduced ability to heal—due to vascular disease, autoimmune conditions, or certain medications—you may benefit from the enhanced oxygen delivery provided by HBOT.
Who May Not Be a Candidate?
While HBOT is generally safe, it’s not recommended for everyone. It may not be appropriate if you have:
- Certain lung conditions (like untreated pneumothorax)
- Uncontrolled high fever
- Severe claustrophobia that can’t be managed
- Recent ear or sinus surgery
Our medical team will always perform a full evaluation to determine if HBOT is safe and appropriate for your individual health needs.
What to Do If You Think You’re a Candidate
If you’re living with a chronic wound, a non-healing surgical site, or a condition that’s preventing your body from recovering as it should, you don’t have to live with it any longer.
At Central Coast Wound Care + Hyperbarics, we offer comprehensive wound evaluations to determine whether HBOT—or another advanced therapy—is the right next step for your healing journey.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact us today to learn more about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and find out if you’re a good candidate. Healing is possible—with the right care, at the right time.