Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers healing at the cellular level.
Inside a pressurised chamber, breathing pure oxygen at elevated atmospheric pressure dramatically increases the oxygen saturation of blood plasma, tissues, and the brain. This is not supplemental oxygen — it is a physiological recalibration. At two to three times normal atmospheric pressure, oxygen reaches areas of the body where circulation is compromised and cellular repair has stalled. At Holina Healing Centre, HBOT is used as a clinical adjunct to the therapeutic programme, supporting the physical dimension of recovery alongside psychological and somatic work.
How the pressurised chamber works
The chamber increases atmospheric pressure to between 1.5 and 3 atmospheres. At this pressure, oxygen dissolves directly into blood plasma rather than relying on haemoglobin alone, achieving systemic saturation levels that are impossible through normal breathing. The body responds by accelerating anti-inflammatory processes, stimulating growth factors, and promoting the formation of new blood vessels in damaged tissue.
Oxygen saturation and cellular repair
Many of the conditions we treat at Holina — including the neurological effects of chronic stress and trauma — involve areas of reduced blood flow and compromised cellular function. HBOT reverses this by flooding those tissues with oxygen, restoring the metabolic conditions necessary for genuine repair. Sessions are comfortable, non-invasive, and conducted under clinical supervision.
Conditions Treated
What HBOT addresses at Holina Healing.
HBOT is used at Holina as part of an integrated treatment programme. It is particularly effective for conditions where the nervous system and physical recovery intersect.
Trauma & nervous system recovery
Supporting the neurological repair that trauma and chronic stress interrupt.
Chronic fatigue
Restoring cellular energy where mitochondrial function has been compromised by sustained depletion.
Post-surgical & physical healing
Accelerating tissue repair and reducing recovery time after medical procedures.
Brain fog & cognitive function
Improving oxygenation to prefrontal regions affected by burnout, stress, and poor sleep.
Inflammation
Reducing systemic inflammation that underlies many pain conditions treated at Holina.
Immune support
Stimulating white blood cell activity and enhancing the body's capacity to repair and defend.
The Holina Experience
Medical-grade HBOT within a therapeutic residential setting.
Medical-grade chambers and clinical oversight
Holina's HBOT equipment meets clinical standards, and every session is overseen by trained staff. You are monitored throughout, and your pressure protocol is designed around your specific programme and health profile. This is not a wellness spa add-on. It is a genuine clinical intervention, delivered with the care that implies.
How HBOT integrates with your programme
HBOT works best as part of a sequenced therapeutic programme. At Holina, it is typically paired with somatic therapy, polyvagal work, and individual psychotherapy to address trauma and chronic stress at multiple levels simultaneously — neurological, physiological, and psychological. Your clinical team determines the right frequency and pairing for your specific needs.
1:1 clinical supervision
Every session is conducted with dedicated clinical attention. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, sessions can be paused. Most clients find the experience deeply restful — many report that the chamber becomes one of the most peaceful parts of their day.
A Session At Holina
What to expect before, during, and after.
Before your session
Your clinical team will conduct a brief contraindication check before your first session. Certain conditions — including active infections, some ear conditions, and recent surgery — require medical review. You will be given earplugs and comfortable clothing, and advised not to eat a large meal immediately beforehand.
During the session
You will lie or sit comfortably inside the chamber as pressure is gradually increased over the first few minutes. You may feel a gentle fullness in your ears — similar to descending on a flight — which resolves quickly. Once at pressure, you breathe normally while the oxygen does its work. Sessions typically last between sixty and ninety minutes. Many clients sleep.
After the session
Most people feel calm, clear-headed, and rested after HBOT. There is no recovery period required. Sessions are typically scheduled around your therapeutic work so that the physiological benefits support the psychological and somatic processing happening in the rest of your programme.
Programme Integration
How many sessions does a programme include?
The number of HBOT sessions included in your programme depends on its length and clinical profile. A 30-day programme typically incorporates sessions several times per week, while longer programmes allow for a more graduated and deeply integrated approach. For some guests, HBOT is a primary modality; for others it is a powerful adjunct. Your clinical team will determine the right frequency during your intake assessment, and the plan can be adjusted as your programme progresses. HBOT is available as a standalone treatment for those coming to Holina specifically for physical restoration, and as a component of every residential trauma programme.
Is This Right For You
Who comes to Holina for HBOT.
Those recovering from trauma or PTSD who want to support neurological healing alongside psychological work
People experiencing chronic fatigue, burnout, or post-viral exhaustion where cellular energy has been depleted
Individuals with fibromyalgia or inflammatory disorders
Guests seeking to accelerate physical recovery after surgery or illness
High performers pursuing longevity and cognitive optimisation alongside wellness work
People with persistent brain fog or difficulty with focus and mental clarity
Anyone whose therapeutic programme at Holina would benefit from physical restoration alongside psychological work
The Evidence
Backed by peer-reviewed research.
HBOT for trauma and PTSD is an active area of clinical research, including work from Prof. Shai Efrati's team at the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research in Israel — among the leading research groups in this field.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Veterans With Combat-Associated Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial
Doenyas-Barak, Kutz, Lang, et al. · Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2024
In a sham-controlled trial of 63 combat veterans, the HBOT group showed a significant reduction in PTSD symptom scores, with improved brain connectivity confirmed on resting-state MRI.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Symptoms, Brain's Microstructure and Functionality in Veterans With Treatment-Resistant PTSD
Doenyas-Barak, Catalogna, Kutz, et al. · PLOS ONE, 2022
A randomized controlled trial of 35 veterans found HBOT significantly improved PTSD, depression, and anxiety scores, alongside measurable brain microstructure changes on imaging, versus no-treatment controls.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Induce Neuroplasticity and Significant Clinical Improvement in Patients Suffering From Fibromyalgia With a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Hadanny, Bechor, Catalogna, et al. · Frontiers in Psychology, 2018
A randomized controlled trial found a full course of HBOT produced significant improvement in fibromyalgia and PTSD symptoms, with corresponding changes on brain imaging.
HBOT has a strong clinical safety profile and has been used in hospitals worldwide for decades. At Holina all sessions are conducted under clinical supervision with full contraindication screening before your first session. The most common side effect is mild ear discomfort during pressurisation, similar to descending on a flight, which resolves quickly.
What conditions make HBOT unsuitable?
Certain conditions require medical review before HBOT, including active middle ear infections, untreated pneumothorax, some cardiac conditions, and certain medications. Your clinical team will review your health history during intake. If there is any uncertainty, we consult with our medical advisors before proceeding.
How quickly will I notice results?
Some guests notice improved sleep, clarity, and energy within the first few sessions. The deeper cellular and neurological effects accumulate over a course of treatment rather than appearing after a single session. We are careful not to overpromise timelines, as individual responses vary.
Can I come to Holina just for HBOT without a full programme?
Yes. We see guests who come specifically for physical restoration or longevity treatment, as well as those undertaking full residential trauma and wellness programmes. During your intake call we will discuss whether a standalone or integrated approach best fits your goals.
How does HBOT feel different from normal oxygen therapy?
Standard oxygen therapy delivers oxygen through a mask at normal atmospheric pressure. HBOT delivers pure oxygen at elevated pressure, which fundamentally changes how oxygen enters the bloodstream and tissues. The effects are physiologically distinct and clinically documented in ways that standard supplemental oxygen cannot replicate.
How many sessions are in a typical course?
Clinical protocols typically range from ten to forty sessions depending on the condition and goal. At Holina, the number of sessions is tailored to your programme length and clinical profile. We discuss this transparently during your intake and throughout your stay.
Healing happens at every level. HBOT reaches the ones talk therapy cannot.
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