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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy FAQs

Your questions are welcome.

Wondering how the chamber will feel, whether you need a prescription or how to plan your visits? Get straightforward answers from RX-O2 in Scottsdale and Glendale, Arizona.

Inside an RX-O2 walk-in hyperbaric chamber with upright seats, windows and an open entrance before treatment
Room to get comfortable. Our team can show you the chamber before treatment.

Find the answer you need

Browse by topic. Every answer is open and ready to read.

01 / Your questions, answered

The questions we hear most

A little clarity can make your first visit feel much more comfortable.

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What if I feel claustrophobic?

Tell us before your first visit. Our spacious chambers are a different experience from an MRI scanner. There is room to sit upright or lie back, and our walk-in chamber has seats and windows.

Ask to see the chamber and sit inside before treatment begins. We can show you how to communicate with the team and talk through positioning and anxiety concerns. You do not have to keep those worries to yourself.

What does it feel like inside the chamber?

Many patients find treatment restful. The most noticeable sensation is usually fullness or popping in the ears as pressure changes, similar to an airplane ride.

The air may feel warmer as pressure rises and cooler as pressure falls. These are normal effects of compression and decompression, rather than simply the clinic thermostat. Tell us if you feel too warm, cold or uncomfortable so we can help with clinic-approved comfort options.

Do I need a prescription for HBOT?

Yes. Hyperbaric chambers are medical devices, and medical oxygen is a prescription drug. HBOT requires medical evaluation and a prescription.

RX-O2 can arrange a visit with one of our licensed providers, or you can bring a prescription from your own provider for review. A consultation with our hyperbaric team helps connect the available research with your health history, goals and an individualized treatment plan.

A session, step by step

Why the temperature changes

Rising pressure warms the air. Falling pressure cools it. Your technician guides each transition and can help if you feel uncomfortable.

  1. Pressure increases

    The air may feel warmer. Your ears may feel full or pop as they adjust.

  2. Time to settle in

    At the prescribed pressure, many patients relax or rest while the team monitors treatment.

  3. Pressure decreases

    The air may feel cooler. We return gradually to normal pressure before opening the door.

Speak up at any point. Comfort concerns and ear pain deserve attention.

02 / Your questions, answered

Chamber comfort

You can ask questions before, during and after your session.

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Will HBOT hurt? What if my ears will not clear?

Treatment should not be painful. Ear fullness can occur during pressure changes, but pain is a reason to tell your technician right away. We will coach gentle swallowing or yawning and can slow or pause the pressure change.

Do not force your ears to pop or try to push through pain. Persistent difficulty needs a clinical review before continuing.

Can I stop a treatment if I feel uncomfortable?

Yes. Tell the team immediately if you want to stop or feel unwell. We stay in communication with you and will guide the next steps.

A pressurized chamber cannot be opened immediately. The team must safely return it to normal pressure before opening the door. We explain this process before your first session, so you know what to expect.

Will I wear an oxygen mask or hood?

At RX-O2, the chamber is pressurized with air, and you breathe medical-grade oxygen through a mask or hood. The team will help with the fit and explain how to use it.

Tell us about anxiety, facial discomfort or anything that makes the breathing system difficult to tolerate. Keep it in place as directed, including following any prescribed air breaks.

Can I sleep, read or change position?

Many patients rest or sleep once treatment pressure is reached. Our chambers offer room to sit upright or lie back. Follow the team's instructions when changing position so the oxygen equipment stays properly fitted.

Reading materials, pillows and blankets need staff approval before entering. Stay attentive during pressure changes and any air breaks. Personal electronics stay outside the chamber.

Is the chamber noisy?

You may hear air moving, valves and the normal sounds of chamber operation, especially while pressure changes. Your technician will explain what those sounds mean and how you can communicate throughout treatment.

If you are sensitive to sound, let us know before your appointment so we can discuss appropriate comfort options.

03 / Your questions, answered

Before your visit

A few simple preparations help the appointment run smoothly.

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Can I use a prescription from my own doctor?

Yes. Bring it for review or have your provider contact our team. We review your medical history and the proposed pressure, session length and schedule before treatment, and coordinate any needed changes with your provider.

Your office can use our provider referral page for the referral form, email and fax details, or to ask about protocols and supporting research.

What should I wear? Can I use lotion or makeup?

Follow the clinic's instructions for approved cotton clothing or the garments we ask you to use. Avoid lotions, oils, makeup, hair products and petroleum-based products before treatment unless the team has specifically cleared them.

Tell us about prescribed skin products and wound dressings. Do not remove or change prescribed care on your own. We will review it with you.

Can I bring my phone, smartwatch or earbuds?

No. Personal electronics and battery-powered items, including phones, smartwatches, earbuds and tablets, stay outside the chamber. Lighters, matches, vaping devices and other flammable or heat-producing items are also prohibited.

Bring only items your technician has approved. Medical devices need a separate review; do not assume a device is safe because you wear it every day.

Should I eat beforehand or change my medications?

Unless your treating provider has given different instructions, eat a normal light meal before your visit. Bring an up-to-date list of medications and supplements, including anything you take only occasionally.

Do not skip or change prescribed medicines on your own. Ask our clinical team about any instructions specific to your treatment. If you have diabetes, we will discuss meal timing, blood sugar checks and your medications before you start.

What if I have a cold, congestion or a fever?

Call before coming in. Congestion, sinus pressure, ear symptoms and respiratory illness can make pressure changes more difficult or affect whether treatment should go ahead.

Tell us about new symptoms, recent procedures and changes in your health or medications. The clinical team will advise whether you should be assessed or rescheduled. Do not take a new decongestant just to get through a session without checking first.

What if I need to use the restroom during treatment?

Use the restroom before entering the chamber and tell us in advance about bladder, bowel or mobility needs. We can discuss how to plan your appointment.

If you need to stop during treatment, alert the team. Leaving requires a controlled return to normal pressure before the chamber can open.

04 / Your questions, answered

Safety & eligibility

Your medical history and the reason for treatment guide the decision.

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What are the possible side effects and risks?

Possible effects include ear or sinus discomfort, pressure injury, temporary vision changes and tiredness. Blood sugar can fall in some people with diabetes. Serious complications, such as oxygen-related seizures or lung injury, are uncommon but possible.

Concentrated oxygen also creates a fire risk, which is why approved clothing, careful equipment use and item restrictions matter. Our team reviews risks, screens patients and monitors treatment. Report pain, dizziness or any new symptom promptly.

Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy right for everyone?

No. A licensed provider needs to review your condition, medical history and treatment goals. Tell us about lung disease, previous chest or ear procedures, seizure history, current illness, medications and any possibility of pregnancy.

Some situations require additional evaluation, changes to the plan or postponing treatment. A consultation determines whether HBOT is appropriate for you; booking a visit does not automatically mean treatment will be recommended.

Can I have HBOT with a pacemaker, implant or glucose monitor?

Tell us the exact make and model of any implanted or wearable device, including a pacemaker, insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor or hearing aid. The team must review the device's pressure limits, manufacturer guidance and your clinical needs.

Do not remove, disconnect or change a prescribed device yourself. Having an implant does not by itself answer whether treatment is appropriate.

Can children receive treatment? Can a parent come in?

RX-O2 evaluates pediatric patients individually. The child's condition, comfort, ability to equalize ear pressure and prescribed plan all matter.

If a parent or caregiver needs to accompany a child, discuss that before scheduling. The accompanying adult also needs the appropriate screening and clearance to enter the pressurized chamber. Our team will coordinate the chamber, positioning and supervision needs.

Do you have wheelchair-accessible options?

Yes. RX-O2 has walk-in chamber and wheelchair-accessible options. Tell us about transfers, seating, positioning and assistance needs before booking so we can match the appointment to the appropriate clinic and chamber.

Wheelchairs and other equipment need staff review before entering. We want to plan the practical details with you before you arrive.

How will I feel afterward? Can I drive home?

Many patients return to their usual day after treatment. Some feel tired or hungry, and others notice no immediate difference.

Before leaving, tell us if you feel dizzy, unwell or have ear pain. Driving depends on how you feel, your condition and any medication you have taken. Do not drive if you feel impaired or have taken a sedating medication; arrange a ride and ask the team for guidance.

05 / Your questions, answered

Your treatment plan

The right course of care is personal, including pressure, time and number of visits.

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How long is a treatment appointment?

RX-O2 offers 60-minute and 90-minute treatment options. Your prescription determines the appropriate option.

Allow extra time for check-in, preparation and pressure changes, especially at your first visit. Confirm the total time to reserve with our scheduling team rather than assuming the treatment duration is the entire appointment.

Why do most patients need a series of treatments?

HBOT is usually planned as a course of care, rather than a single visit. The vast majority of RX-O2 patients need a series, with the number and frequency guided by the condition being treated and the clinical plan.

Your provider will recommend a starting course and reassess your progress. A package can help make that course more affordable, but the package size should follow your treatment needs.

When will I notice results?

It varies. Some people notice changes early, others need more time, and some may not benefit. Feeling relaxed or energized after a session is not the same as a measurable improvement in the condition being treated.

We discuss realistic goals and how to review progress with you. No specific result, timeline or cure can be promised.

What conditions can HBOT help with?

HBOT has established medical uses and other uses that are still being studied. The strength of the evidence depends on the condition, and an FDA-cleared chamber does not mean every proposed treatment use is FDA-cleared.

Our clinical team can explain the research, uncertainties and alternatives for your situation. Start with our What is HBOT? page and conditions and research, then discuss whether an evaluation makes sense.

Is a higher pressure always better? Is this the same as a mild chamber?

No. Pressure, oxygen concentration, session length and air breaks are parts of a prescription. Higher pressure is not automatically more effective and can change the risks.

RX-O2 uses FDA-cleared hard chambers and prescribed medical-grade oxygen through a mask or hood. A lower-pressure soft chamber may use a different pressure and oxygen system, so treatments should not be assumed equivalent. We choose settings for the individual patient, not simply the maximum pressure the equipment can reach.

Can HBOT be part of surgical recovery or regenerative medicine care?

It may be considered in selected situations after a medical evaluation. Share your procedure, timing, treating provider's recommendations and any complications so our team can review whether HBOT has a reasonable role.

HBOT does not replace surgical follow-up or other necessary care. Benefits alongside stem cell or other regenerative procedures are not established for every use. We can discuss the relevant evidence and coordinate with your treating provider.

06 / Your questions, answered

Costs & packages

Clear prices and a plan that fits the care you actually need.

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How much does hyperbaric oxygen therapy cost at RX-O2?

Our single-treatment rates are $180 for 60 minutes and $225 for 90 minutes. A consultation is $150.

See our pricing and packages page for package totals, included consultations, current terms and online purchasing. Ask the team to confirm the expected cost of your recommended course before you begin.

How do treatment packages help me save?

Packages are designed to support a series of visits. Larger 60-minute packages reduce the per-treatment price, and our listed packages include a consultation and follow-up. The five-treatment package keeps the single-session treatment rate while adding the included consultation benefit.

Choose a package after discussing the recommended course with your provider. Our pricing page makes the total, per-treatment rate and savings easy to compare.

Will my insurance cover treatment?

Coverage depends on the diagnosis, medical-necessity criteria, your specific benefits and the clinic's billing arrangements. A prescription alone does not guarantee coverage or reimbursement.

Ask RX-O2 about its billing process and check directly with your insurer before you assume treatment will be covered. We can discuss pricing while you review your options.

07 / Your questions, answered

Locations & travel

Local appointments and help planning care from farther away.

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Where can I receive HBOT at RX-O2?

RX-O2 has clinics in Scottsdale and Glendale, Arizona, serving the greater Phoenix area and visiting patients.

Let us know your prescribed plan, preferred location and any accessibility needs. Our team will confirm which clinic and chamber are appropriate for your appointment.

Can you help if I am traveling from another state or country?

Yes. RX-O2 welcomes patients traveling to Arizona for evaluation and treatment. Our team can discuss nearby hotel options and help you identify an Airbnb or other accommodation close to the clinic.

Contact us before booking travel so we can discuss medical evaluation, scheduling and the likely length of your stay. Read more about traveling to RX-O2 for HBOT.

Can I fly before or after a treatment?

Discuss your flight plans with the clinical team before booking. Your condition, ear or sinus symptoms and reason for HBOT can affect the advice, particularly if treatment involves a diving-related illness.

Do not apply a universal waiting period from another patient's plan or an online FAQ. We will help coordinate travel guidance for your situation.

How do I get started if I still have questions?

Call 480-270-6090 for Scottsdale or 623-930-0887 for Glendale, or request an appointment online. Tell us what brings you in and what you would like to understand before treatment.

We can help arrange an evaluation, review an existing prescription and talk through chamber comfort. You are welcome to ask about the experience before deciding on a course of care.

A conversation is a good place to start

Still have a question?

Whether you are ready to schedule or simply want to see the chamber first, our team is here to help you understand your options.

Scottsdale480-270-6090

Glendale623-930-0887

These answers explain the RX-O2 experience. Your evaluation and prescribed plan determine the care appropriate for you.

Further reading: Mayo Clinic: hyperbaric oxygen therapy and FDA: safe use of HBOT devices.