FAQs | Rebody | Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBOT)

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT)?

HBOT is a method of delivering extra oxygen into the body, mainly through the process of increasing the pressure that the body is normally under. Once the chamber is pressurised with ambient air, up to 98% oxygen is administered for the full duration of the treatment.

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE?

The leading proponents of HBOT recommend a minimum of 20 sessions and preferably up to 40 in the initial schedule. Following 40 sessions, you may re-evaluate for discernible benefits before proceeding.

HOW DOES THE RED LIGHT THERAPY WORK AT THE SAME TIME?

Inside the chamber, we have a red and near-infrared light therapy pad. Having the two treatments together optimises results around localised areas of concern, even when used only once or twice per week.

HOW LONG DOES EACH SESSION LAST?

Hyperbaric Oxygen with Red Light sessions at Rebody are typically 60 minutes.

HOW DOES IT FEEL?

As the chamber is being pressurised, air presses on your eardrums and pushes them inwards. This pressure feels like the pressure that you feel in your ears when you are flying in an aeroplane. Most people automatically and easily adjust to these pressure changes, while reporting no adverse effects. In the case of HBOT, we would encourage you to signal your attendant immediately if you have discomfort in your ears or sinuses. Don’t wait until it really hurts. The attendant will stop pressurising and decrease the pressure until you are comfortable and able to equalise the pressure. When you’re comfortable, the attendant will resume pressurising. Here are some techniques to help equalise your ears:

Try to swallow or yawn. Turn your head to one side and swallow, then turn to the other side and swallow. Repeat if necessary.
Pinch your nose closed, close your mouth, and lift the front tip of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth. Attempt to blow through your pinched nose (short and sharp) but not too forcefully. This directs air from your throat into your ears and sinus air passages.
A third method combines these techniques: try swallowing and wiggling your jaw while blowing gently against your pinched nose.
If you have a history of problems with the ear when flying or travelling in the mountains, you may wish to use nasal decongestants before the first few treatments.

WHAT IS MY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE SAFETY?

Your role is quite simple: to show up on time, communicate health concerns with our staff on each visit, and let them know if there are any changes in your health. For example, you may have reported on your first visit that you were not pregnant, but when you come in for multiple visits, it is your responsibility to let us know if there are any changes in your health, and in this example, it would be ‘if you are potentially pregnant’. This is the reason why the checklist for ongoing hyperbaric sessions must be answered each time you go into the hyperbaric chamber.

This is for your safety, and once again, it is your responsibility to let us know each time you go in if there are any changes in your health.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND AREAS OF CONCERN?

The chambers that we use at Rebody are soft shell chambers, which reach a maximum 1.4ATA, equivalent to a pressure of 13ft below sea level. At this level, the treatment is extremely safe, both operationally and for the health of the user. Rebody chambers use pressurised room "ambient" air, which carries 21% oxygen (not 100%), and c.98% oxygen from the concentrator machine is breathed in using a mask. The Rebody chambers are continuously flushed with fresh "ambient air" - the hissing sound that you can hear when in the chamber is new air coming in, and old air exiting the chamber through the valves.

HBOT up to 1.5 ATA using pressurised room air is referred to as “mild hyperbaric” treatment, whereas HBOT using pressurised pure oxygen in a hard shell chamber between 1.5 and 2.4 ATA is referred to as “medical” hyperbaric treatment.

Mild HBOT is increasingly the favoured form of treatment as it provides the majority of benefits as Medical HBOT but at a much lower risk, and in some cases can be more effective due to the absence of side effects.

WHEN CAN I NOT ENTER THE CHAMBER?

The only absolute contraindication for HBOT is an ‘untreated pneumothorax/collapsed lung’. Anyone needing to enter a hyperbaric chamber with an untreated pneumothorax needs to have a chest tube inserted and evaluated by a medical practitioner before entering a hyperbaric chamber.

DO I NEED A REFERRAL FROM MY DOCTOR?

As we administer mild HBOT at Rebody, in the majority of cases, you do not need to be referred by a doctor. However, depending on your medical history or the condition you are hoping to ease, we may ask for medical clearance  or a doctor’s note before proceeding, for your safety.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DOES REBODY HAVE TO ADMINISTER THIS TREATMENT?

All staff at Rebody are trained and certified by both the IHA (International Hyperbaric Association) and the IBUM (International Board of Undersea Medicine).

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS/ADVERSE REACTIONS

Ear/Sinus discomfort: This occurs in about 10% of the population during the hyperbaric pressurisation period. Taking extra time and making routine stops will help to reduce discomfort and is recommended as a precautionary measure for all clients undergoing HBOT.
Claustrophobia: Since you are in a closed environment, claustrophobia may occur. This is completely different from being in an MRI machine, as you can freely move around and can get out by yourself. Once the body acclimatises to the inside environment and feels comfortable with full control, the procedure is typically well-tolerated.

Areas of Concerns, Risks, and Relative Contraindications

Severe lung or heart disease: This is because we would not want fluid to build up in the lungs.
Uncontrolled Diabetes: This is because we do not want the blood sugars to drop too low if HBOT is combined with an overdose of diabetic drug therapy.
History of Seizure or Uncontrolled fever: This is because we would be concerned with exacerbating seizure activity, particularly if blood sugars are low.
Changes in Vision: This is rare and a temporary change in vision that has been associated with higher pressure over an extended time in HBOT. Changes in vision include getting either a little worse (Myopia) or better (Presbyopia).
- NOTE: these cases are rare and associated with higher oxygen dosages. If you notice any changes, please let the attendant know and don’t worry, as the vision tends to go back to its original state within 3 months of discontinuing the sessions. For that reason, it is not advised to change prescriptions during this time.
Cataracts: Though HBOT cannot cause cataracts, this procedure may cause formed cataracts to mature more quickly.
Pregnancy: As a precaution, HBOT is not used during pregnancy unless indicated for acute life-threatening conditions.
Current upper respiratory infections, chronic sinusitis, or sinus problems: These conditions cause a higher probability of problems during pressurisation and are generally recommended to be treated before going into HBOT.
Electronically Implanted Medical Device: Whilst mild HBOT at Rebody is extremely safe, you may wish to consult your GP before starting treatments to ensure compatibility with our machine.

IS IT WARM INSIDE?

The air warms as we pressurise (before your session) and cools as we depressurise (after your session).

WHAT ABOUT SMOKING AND OTHER ODORS?

Smoke and other odours on your clothes are accentuated within the confines of the pressurised chamber. Try to minimise the detrimental effect of smoking on HBOT results by abstaining for 1 hour pre- and post-treatment. Please do not use strong-scented perfumes or deodorants.

IS THERE PARKING?

At our Islington location, we have a designated parking space for visitors. At Wandsworth, there is street parking on evenings and weekends close by, or the NCP Wandsworth Southside car park off Buckhold Road.

HOW IS PAYMENT TAKEN?

Single sessions and memberships are paid for in advance online. Once payment for a membership has been made, you will then receive instructions on how to use your credits for the month or package.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so at least 24 hours in advance. We are able to offer low prices on the basis that we can keep the calendar full, particularly during busy periods.

Late cancellations  or no-shows may still be charged or deducted from your session credits.