Frequently Asked Questions

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy is a specialised and painless oxygen treatment that entails 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber under elevated atmospheric pressure. 

This produces similar effects to those of medication, eliciting varied responses at different levels of dosage.

Hyperoxygenation: Depending on the level of pressure applied, breathing hyperbaric oxygen-rich air can increase the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and other fluids, such as lymph and cerebrospinal fluid, by up to 1200% compared to breathing normal air at sea level.

Anti-inflammatory: HBOT reduces inflammation and influences the expression of immune-modulatory cytokines by reducing proinflammatory cytokines like IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, while increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. 

Reduction of swelling: Breathing in increased levels of oxygen cause blood vessels to temporarily constrict, which decreases swelling without affecting the delivery of oxygen.

Stem cell mobilisation: Stem cells are cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They help repair diseased, dysfunctional, or injured tissue. HBOT has been demonstrated to significantly increase the concentration of circulating stem cells.

Angiogenesis: Angiogenesis or neovascularisation is the formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels. HBOT enhances angiogenesis mainly by increasing the expression of HIF-1α and a series of angiogenic markers.

Antimicrobial mechanisms: HBOT promotes improved white blood cell performance, assists in boosting antibiotic penetration through bacterial membranes, and restricts the release of certain toxins during specific infections.

Regeneration mechanisms: HBOT enhances the recovery of bone, collagen, ligaments, and tendons.

NUMA offers a medical consultant-led service with a face-to-face assessment for all new patients to determine if therapy is suitable for each patient.

The process allows our physician to fully understand your individual medical circumstances and determine the appropriate Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy programme for you, based on your medical history and latest clinical research.

Our physician can provide in-depth answers to any of your HBOT questions and help you determine if this treatment is right for you.

Some common reasons for people to visit NUMA for hyperbaric oxygen therapy include:

• Healthy Individuals seeking the physiological and therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen.
• Sports Performance and Injury Recovery Enhancement
• Post-surgical recovery and wound healing
• Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (such as Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
• Fibromyalgia / ME / Chronic Fatigue
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Lyme Disease
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions
• Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis)  

There are several stages during a typical treatment.

• The first stage is compression in which the chamber is pressurized to the prescribed pressure, most commonly 2.0 atmospheres absolute (the equivalent of 33 feet below the surface of the ocean)
• The chamber is maintained at this pressure (depth) and patients breathe near 100% oxygen via BIBS masks
• Patients received scheduled breaks for air during the oxygen breathing session, allowing them to remove the oxygen mask and breathe in medical grade air from the chamber. 
• When it’s time the chamber is depressurised and the treatment ends. 

At the beginning of the treatment session, you may experience a sensation of fullness in your ears, similar to what you feel during take-off or landing on an airplane.

This feeling should only last for about 5-10 minutes, and an experienced operator will assist you in relieving any ear pressure. 

Once the target treatment pressure has been achieved, you can relax and breathe naturally using a specialised BIBs mask. 

Toward the end of the session, the technician will slowly decrease the pressure in the chamber over about 10 minutes. During the decompression phase, it’s common for patients to feel a slight popping sensation in their ears due to changes in pressure. 

Many patients find hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions to be calming. A lot of patients describe hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions as relaxing.  

Most patients consider hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions to be calming. Many use this time to unwind, nap, or read.

You might feel some slight ear discomfort resembling the sensation of flying, diving, or driving up a mountain. If you do have any discomfort or earaches during treatment, please notify the attending chamber operator right away.

They can assist in relieving the pain by guiding you through equalising pressures within the ear and adjusting the pressure of the chamber as needed to address the issue. 

At NUMA, we prioritise your safety, the effectiveness of your treatment, and a pleasant, well-supported journey from start to finish. While Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is generally safe when administered under medical supervision, it may not be suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions or risk factors can influence how your body responds to HBOT—making a personalised, medically guided approach essential.

Before beginning treatment, all patients undergo a comprehensive consultation with our Medical Director, Dr Nur—a former NHS Consultant with over 25 years of experience and specialised training in hyperbaric medicine. This one-on-one consultation is fully focused on you—your medical history, your goals, and whether HBOT is appropriate and beneficial for your needs.

This assessment ensures:

• A safe, individualised treatment plan tailored to your health profile and objectives
• A clear understanding of the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of HBOT in your specific case
• The opportunity to ask questions, discuss the treatment protocol, and explore supporting medical research

Your consultation will not interfere with any treatments or care you may already be receiving. Instead, it helps ensure that HBOT is safely and effectively integrated into your wider health plan.

Following your consultation, you are welcome to pay and book a single session without committing to a full course. If you decide to continue with a multi-session package (minimum of 5 sessions) after your initial session, both the consultation fee and the cost of your first session will be fully deducted from the package price—so you can still benefit from the full package discount without any financial loss.

We believe your health deserves more than a one-size-fits-all approach. That's why we never begin HBOT without a thorough medical consultation—because your safety, your outcomes, and the value of your time and investment truly matter to us.

A typical treatment lasts between 60 – 120 minutes, depending on your condition.

That's exactly what we explore during your consultation — because your health journey is unique, and your treatment plan should reflect that too.

HBOT isn't one-size-fits-all. Your care begins with a personalised consultation with Dr Nur, our Medical Director — a former NHS Consultant with over 25 years of experience and a special interest in Regenerative and Hyperbaric Medicine.

HBOT works cumulatively, meaning its benefits build over time. One or two sessions alone typically won't lead to substantial change. Some people may benefit from as few as 5 sessions, while others with more complex or long-standing conditions may require up to 60.

Whatever your needs, we'll be with you every step of the way. Your progress will be regularly reviewed by Dr Nur to ensure your treatment remains safe, effective, and truly personalised.

If you'd like to discuss this further, we're here and happy to assist.

We use Medical Grade, Monoplace hyperbaric chambers, which are specifically designed to accommodate a single patient at a time. The chambers are compressed with medical grade clean, filtered air, and oxygen is administered through special BIBS mask.

Our chambers have a clear acrylic window that allows our trained technicians to closely monitor the patient and permits the patient to see outside of the chamber. Patients are continuously monitored during the session and can communicate with the chamber operator using an intercom system. 

HBOT has a history of over 350 years, and certain modern therapeutic uses have been in practice for more than 60 years. 

When administered correctly, it is generally considered safe and well tolerated. However, like any form of therapy, there are rare but potential risks involved and it may not be suitable for every individual or health condition.

Therefore, it is important for hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be administered by qualified healthcare providers under the supervision of an experienced medical doctor with specialized knowledge in this area, who has a thorough understanding of its uses, limitations, and potential side effects.

During your initial consultation, you will have the chance to talk about the particular risks relevant to you and your condition.

We completely understand the appeal — home chambers can seem like a more convenient or cost-effective option. But it's important to remember: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment, not just a wellness tool. While home chambers may appear promising, we strongly recommend against using them due to serious concerns around safety, effectiveness, and lack of medical oversight.

No Doctor, No Safety

HBOT is very safe when done under the guidance of a trained physician. But without proper medical supervision, things can go wrong. Every patient needs a full health assessment before starting, and their treatment must be carefully monitored. At NUMA, all protocols are designed and overseen by Dr Nur, a specialist in Hyperbaric and Regenerative Medicine.

CO₂ Build-Up: A Hidden Danger

Without a proper breathing system (like a BIBS mask), CO₂ can accumulate in the chamber. Because it dissolves more readily than oxygen, levels rise quickly — especially during longer sessions — increasing the risk of harm.

Not Enough Oxygen for Real Results

Despite bold claims, most home and non-medical chambers deliver only 28%–35% oxygen — far below therapeutic levels. Without the right oxygen concentration and pressure, you're simply not getting effective treatment.

Oxygen Generators Can't Handle the Pressure

Home-use oxygen concentrators are designed for sea-level use — not for pressurised chambers. Even at 93%–97% purity, they lack the power to deliver oxygen effectively under pressure, making the treatment ineffective.

Contaminated Air, Greater Risk

Home chambers don't filter or condition the air being pumped in. Under pressure, airborne impurities dissolve more quickly — meaning you could be breathing in unfiltered contaminants with every session.

Fire Risk in Oxygen-Rich Environments

Oxygen-enriched settings are highly flammable. Home chambers, especially soft-shell models, lack the fire safety systems found in medical-grade facilities. Improper storage, synthetic clothing, or oils can increase this risk significantly. Clinics are equipped with hospital-grade oxygen lines, spark-proof fittings, and strict safety protocols.

Deflation Risk You Can't Ignore

Soft-shell chambers are not pressure-tested to clinical standards. A faulty seal or zip can lead to rapid decompression, causing severe injuries— risks that are mitigated in clinical settings with trained staff and built-in fail-safes.

The Bottom Line

HBOT is a powerful medical therapy that should always be delivered with the right equipment and professional oversight. Home chambers may seem convenient, but they lack the safety, effectiveness, and clinical support needed for real results.

If you're considering HBOT, we're here to help you do it safely, effectively, and with expert guidance every step of the way.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is generally considered extremely safe. it is usually well tolerated with few side-effects. While rare, risks of the procedure include:

• Middle ear injuries/ Barotrauma of the ear
• Sinus congestion and pressure
• Temporary near-sightedness
• Claustrophobia
• Oxygen toxicity
• Seizures

At NUMA, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is prescribed by a physician and performed under the hyperbaric oxygen chamber operator’s supervision. All appropriate measures are taken to prevent any possible adverse effects.

The risks will be discussed with you before you sign your consent form for therapy.

We advise loose-fitting cotton clothing, and avoid cosmetics, perfumes, hair sprays, deodorants and jewellery. 

The chamber operators need to know if any medications, including non-prescription drugs, are being taken by the patient, and patients are advised not to take alcohol or carbonated drinks for four hours prior to treatment. 

Both nicotine and caffeine cause blood vessels to constrict and may reduce the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We strongly advise avoidance of all tobacco during the period of your sessions and thereafter if possible.

Please have a light, nutritious meal one to two hours before your scheduled treatment. If you have diabetes, your blood glucose will be checked before and after each treatment, because hyperbaric oxygen treatments can occasionally lower blood glucose levels. 

Patients are accepted either by self-referral or by physician referral. All patients are evaluated by our physician and individualized treatment protocols prescribed, based on their specific needs.

To schedule an evaluation, please call us at +44 (0)20 3823 1212 or email info@numaoxygen.com  protocols prescribed, based on their specific needs. 

Clinically led & globally recognised — as a fully regulated medical clinic, your treatment at NUMA is more likely to be eligible for reimbursement than at non-medical or wellness-based centres. While coverage isn't guaranteed, our registrations with the CQC (UK), UHMS (USA), and EUBS (Europe) — along with care led by a GMC-registered specialist — help enhance your chances of approval.

Internationally supported — while HBOT isn't usually covered by UK-based insurers, many of our patients with international or U.S.-based policies have successfully received reimbursement. 

Supportive & documentation-ready — We'll support you with all the paperwork, but please check with your insurer, as they make the final decision on reimbursement.

Transparent pricing — payment is made in advance, and we're happy to support you if you choose to make a claim.

Our facility is accessible for individuals using wheelchairs, although entering monoplace chambers may pose challenges for those who are fully wheelchair-bound and have limited mobility.

Please see what to expect video for a visual demonstration of the accessibility features and potential challenges.  

The nearest stations to our clinic are as follows: 

Baker Street (Bakerloo / Circle / Hammersmith & City / Jubilee / Metropolitan )  – approximately 2 minutes walk 
Marylebone (Bakerloo / Chiltern Railways)  – approximately 6 minutes walk.

Please refer to our pricing page for full details on cost.