The word “hyperbaric” gets used for two quite different things, and mixing them up causes a lot of confusion. It helps to be clear about which one a venue is offering before you book.
Medical hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Medical HBOT is delivered in hospitals and specialised clinics at higher pressures, under the supervision of medical staff, for a defined set of conditions. It is a clinical procedure that a doctor prescribes and oversees. It is not what a wellness studio provides.
Wellness or mild HBOT
Wellness or “mild” hyperbaric sessions run at lower pressures and are offered in a relaxation setting. People use them as part of a general wellbeing routine rather than as a medical treatment. The experience is being in a pressurised chamber, breathing, for a set time.
Why the distinction matters
- The two operate at different pressures and are regulated differently.
- A wellness session is not a substitute for a medical procedure your doctor has recommended.
- If you have a specific medical condition, a wellness studio is not the right setting — speak to your GP.
RecoveryMap lists wellness and mild HBOT venues only, kept separate from medical services. See the wellness HBOT page to see what those sessions involve.
This is general information to explain the difference between the two, not medical advice. For anything related to a health condition, medical hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a matter for your doctor.