The Game-Changer for Sports Injuries: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Lisa St. John, M.S.
Lisa is our Clinic Director and Founder. She earned her Master's degree from Harvard University, completed a Fellowship at Stanford University, and has spent the last 30 years working in the healthcare field.
Why Athletes Are Turning to HBOT
Sports injuries — muscle tears, ligament sprains, tendon strain, fractures, and concussions — can sideline athletes at any level. A number of professional athletes, including UFC champion Daniel Cormier, have used hyperbaric oxygen therapy as part of their recovery routine and reported positive experiences getting back to training.
It's worth being direct about where the science stands: a 2020 review in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that HBOT "shows promise" for sports musculoskeletal injuries, while also concluding that further research is required to confirm its benefits. That balanced picture — genuinely encouraging, but not yet definitive — is the honest starting point for this discussion.
How HBOT May Support Recovery
Based on current research, HBOT is thought to aid recovery through several mechanisms:
Enhanced oxygen delivery — Breathing 100% oxygen under pressure substantially increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in blood plasma, allowing it to reach injured tissue even where swelling or restricted blood flow would normally limit delivery.
Reduced inflammation — Research suggests HBOT can help regulate inflammatory signaling, which may support faster resolution of swelling and pain after injury.
Tissue and vessel repair — Increased oxygen availability is associated with collagen production and new blood vessel growth, both important to healing muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries.
Immune support — Higher oxygen levels support white blood cell function, which may help reduce infection risk after surgical procedures or open wounds.
Neurological recovery — Early research has explored HBOT's role in concussion and traumatic brain injury recovery, though this remains an active and evolving area of study.
Conditions Athletes Commonly Use HBOT For
Muscle tears and strains
Ligament and tendon injuries, including sprains and tendonitis
Fractures and bone injuries
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
What This Means for You
If you're an athlete recovering from injury, HBOT is best considered as a complement to — not a replacement for — standard rehabilitation: physical therapy, proper rest, and guidance from your sports medicine team. Because it isn't an FDA-approved indication for sports injuries, it's typically not covered by insurance for this use, and treatment decisions should be made in partnership with your physician.
Safety and Expert Care
At Bay Area Hyperbarics, we believe in giving athletes an honest picture of what the evidence supports. Treatment is provided under expert care, with a strong focus on safety at every session.
Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice from your physician or care team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HBOT FDA-approved for sports injuries? No. Sports injury recovery is not currently an FDA-approved HBOT indication, which means it's generally considered adjunctive and typically isn't covered by insurance for this specific use.
How many HBOT sessions do athletes typically need? Published research on sports injuries has generally used protocols in the range of a few sessions to several weeks of treatment, depending on the injury. Your treatment plan should be individualized with your care team.
Can HBOT replace physical therapy or surgery? No. Current evidence supports HBOT as a complement to standard rehabilitation, not a replacement for it.
References
Hadanny A, et al. "Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Mitochondrial Respiration and Physical Performance in Middle-Aged Athletes: A Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial." Sports Medicine – Open. 2022 Feb 8;8(1):22. https://sportsmedicine-open.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40798-021-00403-w
Moghadam N, Hieda M, Ramey L, Levine BD, Guilliod R. "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sports Musculoskeletal Injuries." Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2020 Jun;52(6):1420-1426. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31876671/
Want to learn how HBOT can help support your recovery?
Call us today to learn more about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy may fit into your athletic recovery plan.
Want to learn how HBOT can help heal faster?
Call us today to learn more about how HBOT can accelerate your athletic recovery and get you back to peak performance faster.
