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About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
What Is
What Is Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? | Zen-O₂ Hyperbarics Santa Rosa

What is
Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHbOT)?

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHbOT)is a non-invasive wellness treatment in which individuals breathe oxygen-enriched air in a pressurized environment, which is typically between 1.3 – 1.6 ATA (atmospheres absolute) and is a way of helping the body use oxygen more efficiently. Unlike clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy used in hospitals, which involves 100% oxygen and higher pressures, mHbOT uses ambient air or oxygen-enriched air and operates at lower pressures, making it accessible and comfortable for general wellness use.

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How It Works

During a session, you relax Inside a comfortable hyperbaric chamber and the increased atmospheric pressure helps your body absorb more oxygen into the bloodstream and tissues, reaching areas that may not be getting enough under normal conditions. This gentle oxygen boost supports the body’s natural healing processes, promotes cell regeneration, and may reduce inflammation.

Think of it as helping oxygen go further, faster, and more effectively throughout the body.

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2 Oxygen Reaching the Body

What People Commonly Use mHbOT For

While mHbOT is not a medical treatment or cure for specific conditions, many people use it as part of a wellness or recovery routine. Reported benefits include:

  1. Enhanced energy and endurance
  2. Reduced fatigue and muscle soreness
  3. Improved sleep and mental clarity
  4. Faster recovery from training, injury, or surgery
  5. General support for healthy aging and immune function
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Some people make sessions part of their regular routine, while others come in when their body feels like it needs extra support.

What Science is Exploring

Research around oxygen and the body is continuing to grow, and while much of it is still developing, it points to some really interesting areas:

Helping oxygen reach more of the body
Studies are exploring how oxygen under gentle pressure may travel more efficiently through the bloodstream and into areas that don’t always get enough.

Supporting the body’s natural balance
Oxygen plays a role in how the body responds to everyday stress. Research is looking at how it may help support a more balanced internal environment.

Fueling energy at a cellular level
Your body uses oxygen to create energy. Scientists are studying how increased oxygen availability may help cells function more efficiently.

Supporting the brain and mental clarity
There is growing interest in how oxygen may influence brain function, focus, and overall cognitive performance.

Whole-body connection, including stress
Emerging research is exploring how oxygen may interact with systems involved in stress and overall body regulation.

Is Medical Supervision Required?

Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered safe for general wellness purposes and typically does not require direct medical supervision. However, because oxygen can have effects on certain medical conditions, a prescription or physician consultation is highly recommended, especially if you have underlying health concerns.

Many clients choose to work with a healthcare provider to ensure mHbOT is appropriate for their individual needs.

Safety and Accessibility

mHbOT chambers used for wellness are designed for ease of use, comfort, and safety. Sessions are generally well tolerated, and side effects are rare and mild, such as temporary ear pressure similar to what’s felt during air travel.

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Preparing For
What to Expect from Your mHBOT Session | Zen-O₂ Hyperbarics Santa Rosa

Preparing
for mHbOT

At Zen-O2, we strongly encourage reading through to prepare for the best possible mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy experience. Whether you’re here for recovery, wellness, or rejuvenation, our state-of-the-art hyperbaric chambers and caring staff want to ensure you feel supported, safe, and serene—every breath of the way.

  1. Hydration is important, so we always recommend keeping hydrated, but please refrain from drinking liquids within an hour of your session.
  2. Use the restroom immediately before your session. If you need to use the restroom during your session, the chamber will need to decompress before it can be opened, and doing so will end your session due to time constraints for each appointment.
  3. No alcohol or carbonated drinks 4 hours before your session.
  4. We provide clean, 100% cotton attire for you to wear inside our mild hyperbaric chamber. Please be prepared to change before your session.
  5. No bras with any metal hooks, adjusters, or underwire, etc.
  6. Undergarments can be worn.
  7. No electronics, but paper books or other paper reading/entertainment is acceptable.
  8. No hearing aids, jewelry, or watches inside the chamber.
  9. No contact lenses. No glasses with metal, although some exceptions may be permissible.
  10. No pens. Pencils are acceptable without metal.
  11. No food or water inside the chamber.
  12. Minimal makeup or hair products, if possible. No makeup is preferred. No hairspray.
  13. No fragrances of any kind. If any fragrances are detected, we will require a reschedule of the appointment.
Expectations
What to Expect During mHBOT | Zen-O₂ Hyperbarics Santa Rosa

What to
Expect

While in the mHbOT chamber, many people enjoy quiet activities such as reading, solving crossword puzzles, meditating, or simply taking a nap. We offer books for your use, or feel free to bring your own paper-based materials for entertainment. (Please avoid electronic devices, as they are not permitted inside the chamber.)

Pressurization (Approx. 15 Minutes)

At the beginning of your session, the chamber will gradually pressurize over approximately 15 minutes. During this time, you may feel a sensation of your ears plugging or popping, similar to what you might experience during an airplane ascent or a dive underwater. Yawning, swallowing, or gently moving your jaw can help equalize this pressure.

If you’re having trouble clearing your ears, especially due to congestion, we can reduce the pressurization to help. However, if your ears do not clear by the time we reach full pressure, or if you feel discomfort or pain, we will end the session for your safety. In this case, you will not be charged.

Treatment (60 Minutes)

Once full pressure is reached and your ears have adjusted, your 60-minute therapy session will begin. You may feel relaxed, sleepy, energized, or simply calm. Everyone responds differently, and each session may feel a bit different.

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Decompression (Approx. 15 Minutes)

After the treatment, the chamber will gradually depressurize over another 15 minutes. Your ears may again pop or feel plugged during this phase.

At any point during your session, if you feel uncomfortable or wish to stop, simply let us know. We’ll begin the decompression process immediately, which takes about 15 minutes. If you choose to exit the chamber within the first 20 minutes of your session, you will not be charged.

After Your Session

Once you exit the chamber, we recommend drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous physical activity for a few hours.

You may experience a range of effects after your session, including increased energy, deep relaxation, light-headedness, or no noticeable change at all. These sensations are all normal and can vary from one session to the next.

Contraindications
Is mHBOT Right for You? Contraindications & Safety | Zen-O₂ Santa Rosa

Contraindications
for mHbOT

There are certain health conditions and medical risks—known as contraindications—that may make using a hyperbaric oxygen chamber unsafe.

If you’re unsure whether mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHbOT) is appropriate for you, please consult your healthcare provider beforehand to ensure your health and safety. A licensed medical professional can determine if mHbOT is safe and appropriate for you, and in many cases, a prescription may be requested to utilize our services.

  1. Certain Chemotherapy Drugs (see your doctor for information)
  2. Severe Claustrophobia
  3. Pacemakers
  4. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
  5. High Blood Pressure exceeding 160/110 mmHg
  6. Chronic Rhinitis
  7. Pregnant
  8. Ear/Nose Congestion (for minor congestion, take a decongestant 1 hour prior to your appointment. We cannot guarantee effectiveness.)

Important Considerations

Inform Your Attendant: Always tell your mHbOT attendant beforehand if you are sick or congested, as they may suggest waiting until you’re clear of infection or suggest slower pressurization.

Don’t Force It: If you can’t equalize pressure, don’t strain or force them to pop. Difficulty equalizing usually means your ears or sinuses are still affected by lingering congestion from a recent cold, allergies, or illness. Forcing pressure changes can irritate the ear and increase discomfort. The chamber itself is not the cause – your body simply needs more time to recover.

Is mHbOT right for you?

If you have mobility or flexibility challenges, experience claustrophobia, are unable to lie down comfortably for up to 90 minutes, or have a larger body frame, please contact us before booking.

Due to the design and size limitations of our hyperbaric chambers, we may need to assess your needs in advance or schedule you in a specific chamber to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

ADDRESS

2200 Range Ave Ste 202
Santa Rosa CA 95403

CONTACT

office: 707.919.3183
cell: 707.695.1080

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