Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy combines increased atmospheric pressure with an elevated oxygen concentration, driving more oxygen into your red blood cells and plasma. This raises the oxygen-carrying capacity of your blood, supporting circulation and the body's natural healing processes in tissues that need it.

Sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the protocol Dr. Starbuck prescribes for you.

Response to HBOT varies from person to person. Some people notice positive effects within the first few sessions, and others may need 10 to 20 sessions before they notice a change. Dr. Starbuck will set expectations based on your individual situation.

HBOT is usually administered on a regular schedule, from once a week to daily, with most protocols ranging from 10 to 40 sessions. Consecutive treatments tend to work best (for example, five days on and two days off). The right frequency depends on your health goals, and Dr. Starbuck will assess and prescribe a plan tailored to you.

Please contact us to learn more about our Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy program, including cash pricing. We do not accept insurance for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Makena Health uses a hard-shell monoplace 2.0 ATA chamber, equivalent to about 10 meters (33 feet) below sea level. We can also provide treatments at lower pressures (1.3 through 2.0 ATA) when that's the appropriate protocol.

Yes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a well-established medical modality, and the FDA recognizes it as an accepted treatment for a specific set of conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, non-healing diabetic wounds, and radiation tissue injury. These are typically managed in hospital-based hyperbaric centers and billed through insurance.

At Makena Health, we apply this same technology in a concierge, cash-pay setting focused on recovery, performance, and healthy aging rather than the acute hospital indications above. Our program is oriented toward the off-label, wellness-focused uses described below, and Dr. Starbuck will assess whether HBOT is appropriate for your individual goals.

Beyond its FDA-cleared indications, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an active area of research and clinical interest. Investigators and clinicians have explored its potential role in areas such as surgical recovery, cognitive and brain health, athletic and injury recovery, inflammation, fatigue, and general aging and wellness support.

These are considered off-label uses. The research behind them ranges from early mechanistic studies to larger clinical trials, and evidence quality varies considerably from one area to another. These uses have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA, and individual results vary. If you're curious whether HBOT fits your specific goals or health history, Dr. Starbuck will walk you through what the current evidence does and doesn't support and help you decide.