Extra care is taken to disinfect and clean the chamber including all linens (sheet, pillowcase and blanket) between each client. Clients are required to purchase an oxygen mask for a nominal fee for their first visit which is disinfected and placed in a bag for their next visit. A water bottle is helpful as the swallowing motion assists in the ear popping process as the chamber pressurizes. Beyond linens and a water bottle, nothing is allowed into the chamber. Clients may listen to music, audio books of choice, talk radio, etc. from a device on the outside of the chamber, however, most clients choose to ‘unplug’ and have a nice quiet rest.
What should I do to prepare for the treatment?
- Please bring in a clean change of comfortable clothing, as opposed to street clothes that have been exposed to pollen, dander, and other elements. The clothing should be 100% cotton if possible, 50/50 is acceptable.
- Due to chemical sensitivities of other patients, refrain from wearing perfume, after-shave, or essential oils.
- Make sure not to skip meals before the treatment and ensure that you can get a snack or eat soon after.
- Do not drink large amounts of fluids before entering the chamber. No soda within 2 hours before treatment.
Do I have to do anything in the chamber?
Because we are increasing the pressure in the chamber, it is required that you are able to “pop” your ears as the pressure changes. Please notify us before your treatment if you have problems with this. We can adjust the pressure so it changes slowly, giving your ears more time to equalize. This change in pressure only lasts about 5 minutes. Once you are at pressure, you won’t feel any different.
Are there any side effects?
Some people experience a mild discomfort to the ears when pressurizing the chamber, not unlike the ascending part of an airplane. Following treatments, a few people experience fatigue if they have skipped meals or do not eat soon after. Also, after the first few sessions some experience slight fatigue as the body sweeps itself clear of toxic debris that has built up in the body. This is safe and necessary. If you are diabetic or hypoglycemic, please be aware that HBOT can lower your blood sugar.
What CANNOT go into the Hyperbaric Chamber?
- Metals including: jewelry, watches, clothes with zippers or metal buttons and shoes
- Cell phones, iPads, and iPods-no electronics
- Hearing aids
- No flammable materials (heating pads, lighters, cigarettes)
- No alcohol or petroleum-based products
If any of the following occur, you may not do HBOT:
- If you have any cold or flu symptoms, fever, sinus or nasal congestion or ear infection
- If you have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- If your systolic blood pressure is 150 or higher
- If there is a possibility that you may be pregnant
- If you are diabetic and do not take your insulin prior to your treatment
- If you have had a collapsed lung in the last 6 months.
- If you are inebriated
- SMOKING or even SMOKELESS TOBACCO USE: within 2 hours before or 2 hours after are contraindications. Tobacco is a vasodilator and using it around HBOT will result in null effect of the chamber. (Patients are wasting time and money if they use tobacco around treatments.)
- Contraindications
At Rest Under Pressure 