Hyperbaric chamber and normobaric chamber. Find out the difference between these forms of oxygen therapy

A hyperbaric chamber is a device that allows pure oxygen to be breathed under increased pressure through a mask or oxygen delivery system. Thanks to the increased pressure in the chamber, oxygen penetrates the blood to a much greater extent than under normal conditions, reaching even poorly supplied tissues. This helps to oxygenate the body’s cells, speeding up regeneration and natural repair processes.

Oxygen hyperbaria has many benefits, among which are:

• support in the area of fertility,
• improvement in physical and mental performance,
• strengthening of the immune system,
• anti-aging effects,
• reduction of inflammation and swelling,
• increase in the number of stem cells,
• faster regeneration and wound healing.

In typical chambers for 1-2 people, the pressure is usually 1300-1500 hPa, which limits their effectiveness. The hyperbaric chamber at NAMI Clinic and Medical Resort operates at a higher pressure than 1500 hPa, thus providing the full therapeutic effect. The maximum pressure that our chamber can reach is 6000 hPa, while the most commonly used operating pressure with proven therapeutic potential is 2500 hPa.

Contraindications to oxygen therapy are:

• certain lung conditions (e.g. pneumothorax, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in an advanced stage),
• certain ear and sinus conditions that may impede pressure equalisation,
• pregnancy (for precautionary reasons),
• past ear or eye surgery that requires consultation with a doctor,
• claustrophobia or severe fear of hyperbaric therapy.

Normobaria is an innovative oxygen therapy method that involves spending time in a specially designed chamber with controlled atmospheric conditions. This therapeutic method uses a pressure of 1,500 hPa and increased amounts of oxygen (35-40%), carbon dioxide (2-3%) and hydrogen (0,3-0,5%). The creator of this concept is a Polish physician, Dr Jan Pokrywka.

There are many uses for normobaric oxygen therapy, but currently, chamber sessions are most commonly used as a form of rehabilitation after injury or surgery, to accelerate recovery in athletes and to reduce inflammation in the body. Regular use of normobaric oxygen therapy also promotes the production of collagen and elastin, affecting the smoothness and elasticity of the skin and improving the condition of the epidermis.

The effects of normobaric therapy include:

• improvement in cognitive function,
• faster recovery after exercise,
• reduction of oxidative stress,
• anti-inflammatory effects,
• improvement in sleep quality,
• reduction of feelings of fatigue and sluggishness,
• neutralisation of free radicals present in the body.

Both normobaria and hyperbaria are a good way to oxygenate the body and improve overall health. Normobaric and hyperbaric chambers differ, however, and it is worth bearing this in mind when deciding on a particular type of therapy. In a normobaric chamber, an increased concentration of oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen is used, while in a hyperbaric chamber, the patient breathes 100% medical oxygen under increased pressure, which significantly increases the effectiveness of oxygen therapy.

When answering the question of how the two forms of oxygen therapy differ, it is also important to mention the preparation for the session. In the case of hyperbaria, the patient must have a prior medical consultation to rule out any contraindications. Normobaria does not require this.

Being in a normobaric chamber has no time limit, whereas a session in a hyperbaric chamber lasts between 90 and 120 minutes. This is due to the higher pressure inside the chamber, which allows the desired effects to be achieved in a shorter time.

Most hyperbaric chambers are designed to accommodate a single patient, while normobaric chambers can hold several patients at once which is a major advantage of this form of therapy. Our hyperbaric chamber can accommodate 12 people at a time, which offers the possibility of joint therapy for couples struggling with infertility, for example. Group sessions in the presence of medical staff also allow for a greater sense of psychological comfort and safety of the treatment.

When you choose hyperbarics at NAMI, you achieve the full clinical effect in a short period of time, which distinguishes our therapy from normobaria. The hyperbaric chamber available at NAMI also allows for more intensive and effective therapy than 1- or 2-person units, so results are noticeable after just a few sessions. In addition, during the course of the therapy, patients have constant contact with medical staff, who ensure their safety and well-being.

NAMI Medical Resort and Clinic exclusively offers medical programs.