Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Aurora is home to one of the first hyperbaric medicine programs in the nation. Dr. Eric P. Kindwall, the grandfather of clinical hyperbaric medicine, first delivered this specialized treatment in 1969 at St. Luke’s, now known as Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center. What began with two hyperbaric chambers (nicknamed Bonnie and Clyde) has grown into one of the premiere hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) programs in the country.

We now offer 11 hospital-based Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care Centers with critical care and 24/7 availability. We have the second-largest hyperbaric chamber in the U.S., capable of accommodating 25 patients at one time. Our clinical technology and groundbreaking research continues to garner regional and national recognition, giving us the reputation as a world-class leader in hyperbaric medicine.

How hyperbaric oxygen therapy works

When you suffer an injury, your tissue needs more oxygen to survive. However, in cases of trauma, injury, infection or chronic illness, the tissue is damaged. This makes it hard for the tissue to get the oxygen it needs to repair itself.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, allowing your lungs to absorb much more oxygen than breathing air at normal pressure. Therapy helps chronic wounds heal by increasing the flow of oxygen.

The elevated oxygen levels enhance the function of white blood cells, which are crucial in fighting infections and reducing swelling – both important factors in helping wounds heal and preventing further complications.

What happens when you have hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

During treatment, you’ll relax in a clear single-person or multiperson chamber where the pressure inside the chamber is increased up to three times higher than normal. This increase in pressure enables your lungs to dissolve and deliver significantly more oxygen into your bloodstream.

That oxygen-rich blood circulates throughout your body, supporting tissue repair, reducing inflammation, fighting off bacteria and growing new blood vessels.

Most hyperbaric oxygen therapy is performed on an outpatient basis. During your session, you can watch a movie, listen to music or simply rest while your care team monitors you closely for safety and comfort.

Benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Therapy offers proven benefits for a wide range of medical conditions, particularly those where oxygen supply to the tissue is impaired. These include nonhealing wounds, injuries from radiation cancer treatment, severe infections, carbon monoxide poisoning and severe injuries.

Key benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy include:

• Accelerated healing of chronic wounds by increasing oxygen delivery and promoting tissue growth
• Enhanced infection control, as oxygen boosts the body’s immune response and helps fight bacteria
• Reduced inflammation and swelling, improving comfort and recovery outcomes
• Support for new blood vessel growth, improving long-term circulation to damaged areas

At Aurora Health Care, our team of wound and hyperbaric specialists will work with you to determine if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the right option for your healing journey.

Meet our team of experts

Under the leadership of Laurie Gesell, MD, preeminent expert in the area of hyperbaric medicine and past president of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), Aurora’s multidisciplinary team of board-certified physicians offers a patient-centered approach combined with high-quality care.

We carefully listen to each patient and create a customized plan specific to individual needs.

Meet our team