About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sacramento, CA
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is one of the most powerful healing tools in medicine — and Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center is one of Sacramento’s premier providers. HBOT uses pressurized oxygen to flood your body’s tissues with healing oxygen, accelerating recovery, reducing inflammation, and supporting your body’s natural repair mechanisms. Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss whether HBOT is right for you.
FREE 15 Minute ApptWhat Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the medical use of oxygen in a pressurized environment. When you breathe oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure, exponentially higher levels of oxygen are able to saturate the blood — far beyond what the body can absorb under normal conditions.
Under normal circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the body primarily by red blood cells. With HBOT, oxygen becomes dissolved into all of the body’s fluids: the blood plasma, central nervous system fluids, the lymphatic system, and even bone tissue. This allows healing oxygen to be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked — places that red blood cells simply cannot reach.
The result is remarkable: extra oxygen penetrates damaged tissues, enhances the ability of white blood cells to fight bacteria, dramatically reduces swelling, and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels (neovascularization) in affected areas. HBOT is a simple, non-invasive, and painless treatment with a wide range of documented therapeutic applications.
The Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
It has long been established that healing cannot take place without adequate oxygen levels in the tissue. Most illnesses and injuries — whether from disease, trauma, or surgery — occur and often linger at the cellular and tissue level. When adequate oxygen cannot reach damaged tissue, the body’s natural healing mechanisms are impaired.
HBOT provides this essential oxygen naturally and with minimal side effects. Key benefits include:
- Enhanced immune function — increased white blood cell activity to fight infection
- Accelerated wound healing and tissue repair
- Reduced inflammation and swelling
- Stimulation of new blood vessel growth (neovascularization)
- Improved delivery of oxygen to oxygen-deprived tissues
- Support for neurological repair and recovery
- Improved quality of life for patients where standard medicine is not producing results
Many conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, head injuries, Lyme disease, and chronic fatigue have responded favorably to HBOT. View our complete list of conditions treated by hyperbaric oxygen.
How Does HBOT Help Brain Injury and Stroke?
When brain cells die or are deprived of oxygen — whether from trauma, stroke, or other injury — blood plasma leaks into surrounding brain tissue, causing swelling that further restricts blood flow. Many nearby cells become dormant, unable to function without adequate oxygen but not yet dead.
HBOT dramatically increases the oxygen dissolved in blood plasma, making it available to heal damaged capillary walls, stop plasma leakage, and reduce swelling. As swelling decreases, blood flow is restored to dormant tissue, and those previously non-functioning cells regain the potential to become active again. This process — neovascularization — is one of the most exciting therapeutic applications of HBOT for neurological recovery.
How Does HBOT Help Cerebral Palsy and TBI in Children?
In cerebral palsy (CP) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients — including children — some injured brain tissues may be “dormant” rather than dead. HBOT can stimulate these dormant tissues and restore more normal function. In young children, clinical experience has shown that cognitive function and spasticity can improve with HBOT as part of a comprehensive care plan.
HBOT used in conjunction with other therapies ensures the best possible recovery for children with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. Call (916) 446-2591 to discuss HBOT options for your child with one of our naturopathic doctors.
The Vitaeris320 — Sacramento’s Premier HBOT Chamber
At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, we use the Vitaeris320, one of the largest and most advanced portable hyperbaric chambers available. The Vitaeris320 features:
- 32″ diameter — spacious enough for two adults to self-treat simultaneously
- Five patient viewing windows for a comfortable, open environment
- Tamper-proof redundant pressure regulators for consistent, safe oxygen flow
- Medical-grade technology built for clinic use
- Complete freedom of movement for maximum patient comfort
This is the same chamber trusted by parents of children with autism and brain injuries, physicians, celebrities, and professional athletes. Call (916) 446-2591 or visit our HBOT Pricing page to learn about session rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and how does it work?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The increased atmospheric pressure allows oxygen to dissolve into all body fluids — including plasma, lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, and bone — reaching damaged tissues that red blood cells cannot access. This floods the body with healing oxygen, reduces inflammation, stimulates new blood vessel growth, enhances immune function, and accelerates tissue repair. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, we use the Vitaeris320, one of the most advanced portable chambers available in Sacramento.
What conditions can hyperbaric oxygen therapy treat?
HBOT is used to treat a wide range of conditions that benefit from increased tissue oxygenation. Common applications include traumatic brain injuries, stroke recovery, autism, cerebral palsy, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, non-healing wounds, diabetic wounds, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, cancer support, sports injuries, and much more. Visit our Conditions Treated by Hyperbaric Oxygen page for the complete list.
Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy safe?
Yes. HBOT is prescribed by our naturopathic doctors and performed under medical supervision. It is a non-invasive, painless treatment with an excellent safety record. The most common side effect is mild ear and sinus pressure from the change in air pressure, which is easily managed. Risks and the consent process are discussed with every patient before treatment begins. Learn more on our Preparations & Safety page.
How many HBOT sessions are typically needed?
The number of sessions depends on the condition being treated and each patient’s individual response. Some patients see improvement after just a few sessions, while others — particularly those treating neurological conditions — may benefit from 40 or more sessions over a period of weeks or months. Your naturopathic doctor at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center will develop a personalized HBOT protocol based on your specific health needs.
Can I do a free consultation before committing to HBOT?
Absolutely. Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center offers a FREE 15-minute consultation with Dr. Godby or one of our team doctors to discuss whether HBOT is right for your condition and health goals. Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule. All new HBOT patients must also be evaluated by one of our naturopathic doctors to ensure there are no contraindications before beginning treatment.
What should I wear for a hyperbaric oxygen session?
Only clean, 100% cotton clothing is permitted inside the chamber. No synthetic fabrics, cosmetics, perfumes, hair products, nail polish, jewelry, or petroleum-based products (like Vaseline) are allowed. Please review our complete Preparations & Safety guidelines before your appointment.
What does HBOT cost at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center?
We offer competitive session rates with package pricing available. Visit our HBOT Pricing page or call (916) 446-2591 for current rates. We recommend speaking with our team about the appropriate number of sessions for your condition to get the most benefit from your investment in HBOT.