“Hyperbaric” can mean two very different things. A hospital hyperbaric unit and a soft-sided chamber at a wellness center share the word, but not the pressure, not what you breathe, and not what they’re used for. Here is the difference, and where the mild hyperbaric chamber at K Wellness in Long Beach fits.
In short
- Our chambers are mild hyperbaric chambers: soft-sided, pressurized with air to 1.3 ATA.
- Clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) means breathing near 100% oxygen at 1.4 ATA or more. UHMS-approved uses require 2.0 ATA or more.
- We don’t offer clinical HBOT. If your doctor has recommended it, ask for a referral to a hospital hyperbaric program.
- A session with us is 60 minutes and $100.
What “1.3 ATA” means
ATA stands for atmospheres absolute. The air pressure around you at sea level is 1.0 ATA. Our chambers are pressurized to 1.3 ATA, about 30% above normal air pressure.
That number is the main thing that separates a mild chamber from a clinical one.
What a mild hyperbaric chamber is
A mild hyperbaric chamber is a low-pressure chamber made of fabric, often called a soft hyperbaric chamber, or soft chamber. At K Wellness, you sit upright or lie down inside one for 60 minutes while it’s pressurized with air — not supplemental oxygen — to 1.3 ATA.
According to the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) position statement on low-pressure fabric chambers (revised July 2018):
- These chambers operate at less than 1.4 ATA.
- Their FDA 510(k) clearance is for acute mountain sickness only.
- They are designed to be pressurized with air only, and the FDA prohibits using them with supplemental oxygen.
Our chambers use air, and they aren’t used to treat medical conditions.
What clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy is
The UHMS defines hyperbaric oxygen therapy as breathing near 100% oxygen while inside a chamber pressurized to at least 1.4 ATA. Every condition UHMS currently approves it for requires near 100% oxygen at a minimum of 2.0 ATA.
Clinical HBOT is prescribed by a physician for a specific medical condition and is given in hyperbaric facilities, such as hospital-based programs. We don’t offer it. If your doctor has recommended HBOT, ask them for a referral to a hospital-based hyperbaric program.
Side by side
| Feature | Mild hyperbaric (K Wellness) | Clinical HBOT |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | 1.3 ATA | At least 1.4 ATA; 2.0 ATA or more for UHMS-approved conditions |
| What you breathe | Air | Near 100% oxygen |
| Used for | Not used to treat medical conditions | Specific medical conditions, prescribed by a physician |
| Where | K Wellness, Long Beach: soft-sided fabric chambers, sit-up or lie-down | Hyperbaric facilities, such as hospital-based programs |
What the evidence says about mild chambers
The UHMS says it isn’t aware of reliable clinical evidence that mild compression below 1.4 ATA has a therapeutic effect. It also notes that a mild chamber pressurized with air delivers no more oxygen to the body than breathing oxygen by mask at sea-level pressure, and it doesn’t recommend mild hyperbaric therapy for any medical purpose other than acute mountain sickness.
We think you should know that before you book. If you’re hoping a session will help with a health problem, talk with your own doctor first.
What a session with us is like
- Settling in: you sit upright or lie down inside a soft-sided chamber.
- Pressure: the chamber is gently pressurized with air. You may feel pressure in your ears, as on a plane. Swallowing or yawning usually helps.
- Length: 60 minutes.
- What to wear: 100% cotton clothing. Lotions, oils, hair products and electronics aren’t allowed in the chamber.
Before you come in
Hyperbaric sessions aren’t right for everyone, and they aren’t a substitute for care from your own doctor. Before your first session, our medical assistant asks about your health conditions and anything you’re taking. Tell us about any medications, supplements, allergies or recent surgery, and bring a list of what you take. It isn’t a medical evaluation — if you’re unsure whether this is safe for you, ask your doctor first.
Tell us if any of these apply:
- You have ear or sinus problems, a cold, or congestion.
- You have had recent ear surgery or an ear injury.
- You have a lung condition, including a history of a collapsed lung.
- You are pregnant or may be pregnant.
- You have a fever, or have had recent surgery.
- You have a history of seizures.
- You have an implanted device, such as a pacemaker.
- You are receiving chemotherapy.
- You feel uneasy in enclosed spaces.
- You take any medications or have any ongoing health conditions.
Some of these may mean a session isn’t safe for you right now; others just need extra care. Tell us about any of these before your session.
Your visit
K Wellness is inside Kim Holistic Foot & Ankle Center at 701 E 28th St #111, Long Beach, CA 90806. The two have the same owner and share the same office.
- Price: $100 for a 60-minute session. See our hyperbaric session packages.
- Parking: park in our parking structure. There’s a K Wellness sign outside our door, so you don’t need to go through the main lobby.
- Booking: call (562) 269-0300, or request a visit online and we’ll call you to confirm a time.
Common questions
Is a mild hyperbaric chamber the same as HBOT?
No. Clinical HBOT means breathing near 100% oxygen at 1.4 ATA or more, and 2.0 ATA or more for the conditions UHMS approves it for. Our chambers are pressurized with air to 1.3 ATA.
Do your chambers use oxygen?
No. Our chambers are pressurized with air, not supplemental oxygen.
Can I get clinical HBOT at K Wellness?
No. If your doctor has recommended HBOT for a medical condition, ask them for a referral to a hospital-based hyperbaric program.
How much is a session?
$100 for 60 minutes. Prices are confirmed with you before your first session.
This article is general information, not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with your own doctor about your health. In an emergency, call 911.