Conditions Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (2026)
Conditions Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
HBOT is FDA-cleared for 14 specific medical conditions. For each one, the evidence has met regulatory standards for safety and effectiveness. Other uses exist, but they’re off-label. We label everything clearly so you know where you stand.
Not sure what HBOT is? Start with What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
FDA-Approved Indications
These 14 conditions have met FDA standards for safety and effectiveness. Medicare and most commercial insurers cover HBOT for these indications when properly documented.
- Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Wound Healing:HBOT improves healing in diabetic wounds that haven’t responded to standard care.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:HBOT is the primary treatment for severe CO poisoning.
- Decompression Sickness:The standard treatment for divers who surface too quickly.
- Non-Healing Wounds:Chronic wounds that fail standard wound care may respond to HBOT.
- Radiation Injury:Treats soft tissue and bone damage caused by radiation therapy.
- Thermal Burns:Used alongside standard burn care to improve outcomes.
- Crush Injuries:Helps preserve tissue and limb function after severe crush trauma.
- Gas Gangrene:Adjunct to surgery and antibiotics for clostridial infections.
- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections:Supports treatment of aggressive soft tissue infections.
- Osteomyelitis:Chronic bone infections resistant to antibiotics may respond to HBOT.
- Skin Grafts and Flaps:Improves graft and flap survival in compromised tissue.
- Air or Gas Embolism:Emergency treatment for gas bubbles in the bloodstream.
- Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss:May improve hearing recovery when started promptly.
- Central Retinal Artery Occlusion:Time-sensitive treatment to restore blood flow to the retina.
Investigational Uses (Not FDA-Approved)
The following uses are being studied but are not FDA-approved. Evidence is preliminary. These are off-label uses. Insurance won’t cover them, and you’ll pay out of pocket.
We’ll be publishing individual guides on each of these as the research matures. For now, treat any claims about these uses with healthy skepticism.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion
- Stroke recovery
- Long COVID
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Fibromyalgia
- Anti-aging and longevity
- Athletic recovery
- Lyme disease
If a clinic promotes HBOT heavily for these conditions without acknowledging the lack of FDA approval, ask questions. A good provider will be upfront about what the evidence does and doesn’t show.
How to Find a Provider
Not all HBOT facilities are the same. Hospital-based wound care centers are the most common setting for FDA-approved treatments. Standalone clinics vary widely in credentials and equipment.
Browse our state-by-state directory at Find a Provider Near You. You can also search the official UHMS provider directory at uhms.org.
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before pursuing any medical treatment.
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