FAQ’s & Office Policies

At Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center, your safety and comfort are our top priorities. Our patients are able to enter, exit, and move around the chamber safely on their own, while being continuously monitored by our trained hyperbaric staff throughout the session.

Our safety protocols include:

• Continuous observation via clear acrylic chamber walls and intercom communication

• Real-time monitoring of patient well-being and adherence to treatment protocols

• Air breaks when needed to ensure safe oxygen levels at higher pressures

• Strict guidelines for what can and cannot be in the chamber, including clothing, electronics, and other potential hazards

These measures ensure that HBOT sessions are safe, effective, and comfortable, giving you peace of mind while receiving therapy.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an FDA-cleared medical treatment that supports the body’s natural healing processes by delivering increased levels of oxygen in a controlled, pressurized, medically supervised, full-body hyperbaric chamber.

During HBOT, patients breathe 100% oxygen while the atmospheric pressure inside the chamber is safely elevated above normal levels. Under these conditions, the lungs are able to absorb significantly more oxygen than would be possible at normal air pressure, which is then carried throughout the bloodstream to enhance oxygen delivery to tissues and organs.

By increasing oxygen availability at the cellular level, HBOT helps support the body’s natural repair mechanisms, promote tissue recovery, reduce inflammation, and optimize overall healing responses. Sessions are conducted under trained supervision to ensure patient safety and adherence to established protocols.

An air break is a brief period during a hyperbaric session when the patient temporarily removes the non-rebreather mask and breathes normal ambient air instead of 100% oxygen.

Air break’s are used during sessions at higher pressures (above 2.0 ATA) to:

• Reduce the risk of oxygen toxicity

• Allow the body to safely manage elevated oxygen levels

These breaks are carefully timed and monitored by our trained clinical staff to ensure each session remains both safe and effective.

Patients breathe 100% medical-grade oxygen delivered through a non-rebreather mask. The prescribed oxygen dose is administered continuously from the time the mask is placed until it is removed at the end of the session.

For protocols that include scheduled air breaks, the mask is temporarily removed to allow the patient to breathe ambient air before resuming oxygen delivery. This process is carefully timed and continuously monitored by trained staff to ensure both safety and therapeutic effectiveness.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is generally safe, but it may not be appropriate for all individuals. Certain medical conditions can preclude treatment, including:

• Untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung)

• Pregnancy

• COPD

• Certain chemotherapy medications

• Medical implants

• Seizure disorders

At Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center, patient safety is our top priority. Our trained team conducts thorough assessments to ensure HBOT is safe and appropriate for each patient before starting therapy.

HBOT has a long-standing record of safety, and side effects are generally low risk and rare due to our advanced safety protocols and trained staff. Potential side effects may include:

1. Ear Discomfort
Some patients may experience mild discomfort in the ears during pressurization, similar to sensations felt during airplane takeoff or landing. The most common side effect is middle ear barotrauma, caused by pressure imbalance in the middle ear. Some individuals may require evaluation by an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist before, during, or after HBOT to ensure safety and proper management. Our team also provides guidance and techniques to help equalize pressure and minimize discomfort.

2. Temporary Changes in Vision
HBOT can temporarily affect the shape of the eye’s lens due to increased oxygen levels in the body. This may result in minor, short-term changes in visual acuity, especially after 20 or more treatments. These changes are transient, and adjusting eyeglass prescriptions is typically unnecessary. Vision generally returns to normal within a few weeks after completing therapy.

3. Oxygen Toxicity
In rare cases, patients may experience oxygen toxicity affecting the lungs or central nervous system. Our specialized protocols, which include scheduled air breaks, are designed to minimize this risk while maintaining effective oxygen therapy.

The effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can vary depending on the individual. Factors such as overall health, underlying medical conditions, and adherence to post-treatment recommendations can influence the duration and intensity of benefits.

Immediate Effects
After a single HBOT session, some individuals may notice short-term improvements that last for a few hours. These can include temporary boosts in energy, enhanced cognitive clarity, and a sense of relaxation.

Cumulative Effects
With repeated treatments, the benefits of HBOT can accumulate over time. This may lead to more significant and longer-lasting outcomes, such as enhanced tissue healing and the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).

Condition-Specific Effects
The longevity of HBOT results depends on the condition being treated. Persistent or chronic conditions, such as non-healing wounds or neurological disorders, may require ongoing or intermittent sessions to maintain lasting benefits.

For safety, all patients are required to wear 100% cotton clothing provided by our office while inside the hyperbaric chamber. Cotton minimizes the risk of static electricity buildup, which is important in oxygen-enriched environments.

Patients should not bring or wear jewelry, petroleum-based products, or electronics inside the chamber. For a full list of safety precautions, please review our Safety Considerations section.

To ensure comfort during treatment, we also provide cotton blankets and pillows, helping you stay warm and relaxed throughout your session.

To schedule an appointment, please call our office at 480-590-5277. For your first appointment, a credit card is required to secure your booking. This is not a prepayment, and your card will not be charged at the time of scheduling.

Cancellation & No-Show Policy:

• Late cancellations: Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be subject to a charge for the full scheduled service.

• No-shows: Failure to attend a scheduled appointment without notice will result in a full-service charge.

• Appointment reminders via phone or email are provided as a courtesy, but responsibility for attending scheduled appointments rests with the patient.

Additional Information:

• Late arrivals may result in shortened session times to accommodate other scheduled treatments.

To respect other patients, please notify our office at 480-590-5277 as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment. This allows your appointment time to be reallocated to another patient in need of HBOT.

Cancellation Policy:

• We require at least 24 hours’ notice for appointment cancellations.

• Cancelling with less than 24 hours’ notice will result in a charge for the full price of the scheduled service.

No-Show Policy:

• A no-show occurs when a patient fails to attend a scheduled appointment without providing notice.

• Arriving 15 minutes or more after your scheduled appointment is considered a no-show.

• No-shows will result in a charge for the full price of the scheduled service.

Providing timely notice helps ensure that other patients have access to high-demand HBOT appointments and supports efficient scheduling for everyone.

For your first HBOT session, please arrive 30 minutes early to complete necessary paperwork, undergo a consultation and safety review, and use the restroom or changing facilities as needed.

• A physician prescription (Rx) is required for all HBOT sessions. If you do not yet have a prescription, our team can assist in obtaining one following a consultation.

• Complete all patient intake questions thoroughly to allow for a comprehensive consultation.

• Late arrivals may result in a shortened session to accommodate other scheduled patients.

• All patients will be seen promptly at their scheduled appointment time.

Arriving early and prepared helps ensure a smooth, safe, and effective first HBOT session

We welcome new patients! To get started, your physician can submit a referral/prescription (Rx) directly to our office. If you do not currently have a prescription, you may request one from your primary care provider or referring physician.

If obtaining a prescription from your own provider is not possible, our team can provide a prescription after a consultation for an additional fee. Once we have your Rx, we will contact you to schedule your HBOT consultation.

During your consultation, our hyperbaric-trained staff will review your medical history, current medications, and overall health to ensure you are safe and appropriate for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

Please note: Some medical conditions may require additional clearance from a specialist before starting HBOT. Not all conditions are suitable for hyperbaric and certain health issues may preclude therapy. In addition, some implanted medical devices, such as pacemakers, require documentation of the maximum pressure (ATA) the device can safely withstand. Our thorough evaluation ensures that HBOT is safe and appropriate for each individual.

If you plan to travel by air, we recommend scheduling HBOT sessions with at least a 24-hour gap before and after your flight. This precaution helps ensure your safety and comfort during air travel following hyperbaric therapy.

If you have questions or need guidance on coordinating your HBOT schedule with travel plans, please contact our office at 480-590-5277.

The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is FDA-cleared for certain medical indications. Some services or conditions discussed on this website may be considered off-label uses and are not FDA-approved. Results may vary by individual. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider to determine whether HBOT is appropriate for your specific condition. Treatments are provided using FDA-cleared hyperbaric chambers and are conducted in accordance with applicable safety standards and operational guidelines. © 2026 Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center. All Rights Reserved.

We operate three Sechrist mono-place hyperbaric chambers, constructed from clear acrylic for visibility and patient comfort. These chambers are FDA-cleared Class II medical devices, designed to deliver hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a controlled setting with strict monitoring for patient and staff safety.

During each session, patients are continuously observed and can communicate with the attending operator via the intercom system. For comfort and entertainment, external viewing screens are available for watching shows, streaming movies, or listening to music. For safety reasons, we kindly ask patients to refrain from sleeping during sessions.

For your safety and comfort, please arrive clean and free of lotions, hair products, perfumes, cosmetics, deodorants, and similar items.

To maintain a safe environment inside the hyperbaric chamber, patients should avoid:

• Alcohol-, petroleum-, or synthetic-based products

• Respiratory depressants such as benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium, Librium, Ativan) or opioids before or during sessions

• Smoking or use of any tobacco products

It is also important to inform the hyperbaric chamber operator of any changes in your health or medication regimen before each visit.

As an additional precaution, please remove the following items before entering the chamber:

• Dentures

• Battery-powered devices and electronics

• Hearing aids

• Jewelry and static-producing items

• Wigs or hair extensions

• Any other items deemed unsafe by the hyperbaric operator

Following these guidelines ensures a safe, effective, and comfortable HBOT session. For a complete list of items not allowed inside the chamber review our Safety Considerations.

Self-Pay Options
We offer discounted out-of-pocket packages for self-pay patients. Please note that pre-paid packages and single visits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and no substitutions, rain checks, or refunds are permitted.

Insurance Coverage
If your condition qualifies for insurance coverage, our team will handle the claims process directly with your insurance provider. Any copays or deductibles required by your insurance plan remain the patient’s responsibility. Click here to view covered conditions.

Payment Methods

• Credit card payments: A 3.5% service fee applies, plus tax on retail items.

• Cash or check payments: No additional fees.