1350 Blairs Ferry Road, Suite B Hiawatha, IA 52233 I 319-343-8540
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in Hiawatha, Iowa
A Natural Way to Accelerate Healing
At Atlas Specific Chiropractic in Hiawatha, we offer Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as a safe, non-invasive way to boost healing and recovery from the inside out. HBOT works by increasing the amount of oxygen your blood carries—helping your body repair tissues, reduce inflammation, and support natural healing. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic symptoms, or simply working to improve your energy and focus, HBOT can help your body perform at its best.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing concentrated oxygen inside a pressurized chamber that increases air pressure to 1.3 ATA (atmospheres)—slightly above normal atmospheric levels. Under these conditions, your lungs absorb more oxygen than normal air allows. That oxygen-rich blood then travels throughout your body, supporting healing in areas that may have reduced circulation or chronic inflammation.
The increased oxygenation helps to:
Boost cellular repair and regeneration
Improve circulation and reduce swelling
Support neurological and cognitive function
Accelerate recovery after injury or surgery
Enhance overall energy, clarity, and performance
A Vertical, Soft-Sided Chamber for Comfort and Accessibility
What makes our HBOT experience unique is our vertical, soft-sided hyperbaric chamber—a design that allows patients to sit upright comfortably rather than lying down. This setup makes the therapy much easier to access, especially for those with mobility challenges, joint pain, or discomfort getting in and out of traditional horizontal chambers.
Our vertical chamber operates at 1.3 ATA, providing a gentle yet effective level of pressurization that safely increases oxygen levels throughout the body. Because of its design, it’s handicap-accessible, easy to enter and exit, and offers a more open, comfortable experience—ideal for anyone who might feel claustrophobic in traditional enclosed chambers.
What to Expect During Your Session
Each HBOT appointment lasts about 90 minutes total, including time for safe pressurization and depressurization. You’ll spend approximately one hour at full pressure, breathing concentrated oxygen while seated comfortably in the chamber.
The experience is quiet and relaxing—you can listen to music, meditate, or simply rest. Most people describe it as peaceful and restorative. Once your session ends, you can return to normal activities immediately.
Benefits and Common Uses
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may benefit those experiencing:
Chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) recovery
Long COVID and lingering post-viral symptoms
Neuropathy and poor circulation
Stroke recovery or cognitive decline
Joint pain, arthritis, and inflammation
Post-surgical healing and tissue recovery
Brain fog or difficulty focusing
Athletic performance optimization and anti-aging support
New Patient Special – $50 First Session
We’re proud to make this advanced therapy accessible for our community. As part of our commitment to helping patients experience natural healing, your first Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy session is just $50.
Your initial appointment includes a brief consultation, personalized setup, and a full 90-minute session (one hour at therapeutic pressure) in our vertical soft-sided chamber—safe, comfortable, and designed for everyone.
Experience what better oxygenation can do for your body, mind, and healing journey.
Ready to Experience HBOT?
Schedule your first session for only $50 today and discover how oxygen therapy can help you heal faster, reduce pain, and restore balance from the inside out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HBOT safe?
Yes, it is safe for the very young to the elderly. There have been no known side effects reported for Mild Hyperbaric Therapy.
How long are sessions?
Sessions take approximately 90 minutes, however you can use the chamber for much longer without any adverse effects. After each session you can carry on with your day as normal- there are no restrictions.
How many sessions will I need? How often should I use HBOT?
It is difficult to know how many sessions will be needed to see a noticeable change. For some patients they notice an immediate change during the session or after the session. This may depend on a variety of factors including the extent of injury and the time a chronic disease has been present. A few factors we consider when determining the number of sessions and frequency of sessions: the type of condition, the severity of the condition, and the amount of time this condition has been present. A typical treatment plan starts with more sessions in the beginning and tapers in frequency over time.
What should I do to prepare for a session?
Preparing for your Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) session at Atlas Specific Chiropractic is simple. We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing—most patients prefer athletic wear or casual clothes without zippers or metal buttons. Since our chamber is a vertical, soft-sided model, you’ll be seated upright during your session, so comfort is key.
It’s best to avoid caffeine, alcohol, or smoking for a few hours before your appointment, as these can affect circulation and oxygen absorption. You should also eat a light meal or snack beforehand so you’re comfortable throughout the full 90-minute visit (which includes one hour at pressure).
Please remove any electronics, watches, or metal objects before entering the chamber to protect equipment and ensure safety. You’re welcome to bring a book, listen to music, or simply relax while inside. Our team will walk you through every step, monitor you throughout the process, and make sure you feel completely at ease—especially during your first session.
How will the HBOT session feel?
The chamber will be filled with compressed air. Once the chamber has expanded to its filled size, it will start to pressurize. While the chamber is pressurizing, your ears will feel the change in pressure inside the chamber. Otherwise it should be unnoticeable. To equalize the pressure and avoid the feeling of fullness in your ears, you will need to clear your ears by chewing (gum or food), etc. swallowing, yawning; During the pressurization of the chamber, your mouth may become dry. Once the chamber is fully pressurized, your salivation will return to normal. Additionally, the chamber may become slightly warm while it is pressurizing. Once it reaches full pressure, the relief valves will begin to pull the warmer air out of the chamber. Then you can enjoy the session, meditate, read, watch movies, listen to music, etc.
How long is a typical session?
Treatment time is approximately 90 minutes. It is safe to complete sessions twice per day, with 4 hours minimum between sessions. It is safe to utilize HBOT up to 7 days per week, if available. More details on your specific treatment will be explained by the Doctor.
Is HBOT good for the elderly?
Yes! HBOT is great for those in their later years. Hyperbaric provides an immeasurable boost which counteracts the signs of aging. In fact, new research indicates that hyperbaric oxygenation promotes cell life.
Is HBOT good for children?
Yes, hyperbaric yields positive results with children. In fact, research with children suffering from brain-injuries and ADHD have shown positive results and great promise. We recommend that children under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult inside the chamber. Children should always be monitored inside a chamber.
Are there any side effects?
The most common side effect is discomfort to the ears caused by pressure changes. To minimize the risk, users learn to promote the adequate clearing of ears during pressurization. Some users may feel tired after using the hyperbaric chamber for the first time. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy does speed up the metabolism of our body. This can be an indication that detoxification is occurring.
Are there any contraindications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
There are some contraindications to HBOT. These are covered in our consent forms and during your consultation with the Doctor. If a user has severe lung damage or severe COPD he/she should not be in a Hyperbaric chamber. Pregnant women are not recommended to be in a Hyperbaric chamber. Customers with Pacemakers and Customers who are susceptible to seizures should have seizures under control and be closely monitored. Please call the office at 319-343-8540 to ask about specific conditions or possible contraindications. It is also recommended to consult your primary care physician if any conditions are determined questionable during your initial consultation.
How can I learn about the HBOT?
The most comprehensive book about HBOT is The Oxygen Revolution by Paul Harch, M.D. This book is geared toward consumers who would like to learn more about how HBOT works and what conditions it treats. The book explores the science behind HBOT, as well as case histories of patients who have benefited from HBOT.
Prohibit the use under the following conditions & Please note the following contraindications and drug interactions to mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:
Pregnant women and people with severe infectious diseases. Patients with severe emphysema. Hypertension exceeds 160 / 100ml. Severe heart problems or Pacemaker. Congenital Spherocytosis. Severe COPD/Emphysema with air trapping. Untreated Pneumothorax. Bad Colds or Upper Respiratory Infections—URIs can make it difficult for the patient to clear his/her ears, which can result in inflammation of sinuses, or sinus squeeze.
