mHBOT vs HBOT: Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy vs Medical-Grade HBOT
If you've researched hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Denver, you've probably seen two terms used almost interchangeably: mHBOT and HBOT. They're related — but they're not the same thing. Here's a plain-English guide to the differences and which one fits your goals.
The quick answer
- mHBOT (mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy) uses lower pressure — typically 1.3 ATA — in a soft-shell chamber, breathing concentrated oxygen (~90–95%). It's used for wellness, recovery, cognitive support and athletic performance.
- Medical HBOT uses higher pressure — 2.0 to 3.0 ATA — in a hard-shell chamber, breathing 100% medical oxygen. It's prescribed in hospital settings for FDA-approved indications like decompression sickness, non-healing wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning and radiation tissue damage.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | mHBOT (Mild) | Medical HBOT |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | 1.3 ATA | 2.0 – 3.0 ATA |
| Chamber | Soft-shell (FDA-registered) | Hard-shell (steel/acrylic) |
| Oxygen concentration | ~90–95% via concentrator | 100% medical oxygen |
| Session length | 60 – 120 minutes | 90 – 120 minutes |
| Setting | Wellness clinic | Hospital / medical facility |
| Prescription | Not required | Required |
| Insurance coverage | Typically not covered | Covered for approved indications |
| Best for | Recovery, wellness, performance, cognitive support | FDA-approved medical conditions |
Pressure explained: 1.3 ATA vs 2.0+ ATA
ATA stands for "atmospheres absolute." Sea-level pressure is 1.0 ATA. At 1.3 ATA, your body absorbs significantly more dissolved oxygen into the bloodstream and plasma than it can at normal pressure — enough to support recovery, energy, inflammation control and cognitive function, without the barotrauma risks associated with higher-pressure exposure.
Medical HBOT pushes pressures to 2.0–3.0 ATA. That higher pressure is necessary for the specific medical indications it treats — it can dissolve enough oxygen into plasma to saturate tissue even without functioning red blood cells, which is why it's used for carbon monoxide poisoning and severe wounds. But it also requires a hospital environment, a hard-shell chamber, and 100% medical oxygen under close clinical supervision.
Oxygen concentration: what you actually breathe
Room air is about 21% oxygen. In our mHBOT sessions you breathe concentrated oxygen (roughly 90–95%) delivered through a nasal cannula or mask inside the pressurized soft-shell chamber. Combined with the 1.3 ATA pressure, that dramatically increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in plasma and available to tissues.
Medical HBOT delivers 100% medical-grade oxygen at higher pressure. It's a stronger dose, and it's tightly regulated because oxygen becomes toxic above certain pressure-time thresholds — one reason it stays confined to clinical protocols for approved conditions.
Chamber type: soft-shell vs hard-shell
Soft-shell chambers are the standard for mHBOT — they're comfortable, quiet, and engineered specifically for the 1.3 ATA range. The chambers used at HBOT NOW are FDA-registered soft-shell units paired with medical-grade oxygen concentrators. Hard-shell chambers are built from rigid steel or acrylic and are required for the higher pressures used in medical HBOT.
Which conditions is medical HBOT approved for?
Medical HBOT is FDA-approved and recognized by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) for a specific list of conditions:
- Decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Severe anemia (when transfusion isn't possible)
- Crush injury and compartment syndrome
- Gas gangrene and necrotizing soft tissue infections
- Non-healing diabetic wounds and compromised skin grafts/flaps
- Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and osseous)
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Intracranial abscess
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
- Thermal burns
What mHBOT is used for
mHBOT isn't a treatment for the medical indications above — but it's widely used as a supportive tool for wellness, recovery and performance. Common reasons clients book with us:
- Post-workout and post-competition recovery
- Post-surgical recovery support (with physician clearance)
- Chronic inflammation, joint pain and soft-tissue support
- Cognitive focus, mental clarity and stress recovery
- Sleep quality and general energy
- Long-COVID and post-viral fatigue support
- Anti-aging and skin health protocols
Which one is right for you?
If you have a serious medical condition that meets the FDA-approved indications above, your physician will refer you to a hospital-based HBOT program. For everything else — recovery, inflammation support, focus, post-surgery healing, athletic performance — mHBOT is the practical, accessible option, and it's what we offer at HBOT NOW.
You don't need a prescription for mHBOT, sessions cost a fraction of hospital-based HBOT, and the schedule is designed to fit into a normal week rather than a hospital admission.
FDA-approved equipment at HBOT NOW
Our Englewood, CO clinic uses FDA-registered soft-shell hyperbaric chambers rated for 1.3 ATA mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, paired with medical-grade oxygen concentrators. Every session is supervised by trained staff, and we walk you through pressurization, safety and what to expect before your first visit.
mHBOT in Denver
HBOT NOW is located in Englewood, CO and serves clients across the greater Denver metro — Centennial, Littleton, Aurora, Parker, Highlands Ranch and beyond. Explore session options:
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mHBOT and HBOT?
mHBOT (mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy) uses lower pressure (typically 1.3 ATA) in a soft-shell chamber with concentrated oxygen and is used for general wellness, recovery and cognitive support. Medical-grade HBOT uses 2.0 ATA or higher in a hard-shell chamber with 100% medical oxygen and is prescribed for FDA-approved indications such as decompression sickness, severe non-healing wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning and radiation tissue damage.
What pressure does mHBOT use?
Most mHBOT sessions run at 1.3 ATA (atmospheres absolute), which is roughly the pressure you'd feel about 10 feet under water. That's high enough to meaningfully increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in your plasma while staying well within the safety envelope of a soft-shell chamber.
How much oxygen do you breathe during mHBOT vs medical HBOT?
During medical HBOT you breathe 100% medical oxygen through a mask or hood. During mHBOT you typically breathe concentrated oxygen (roughly 90–95%) delivered through a nasal cannula or mask inside a pressurized soft-shell chamber. Both approaches raise plasma oxygen well above baseline — medical HBOT just pushes it further because of the higher pressure.
Is mHBOT safe?
Yes. Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 1.3 ATA has an excellent safety profile and is widely used for wellness, athletic recovery and post-procedure support. Always speak with your physician if you have ear, sinus or lung conditions, uncontrolled seizures, or are pregnant before starting any pressurized therapy.
Which conditions is medical-grade HBOT approved for?
The FDA and UHMS recognize medical HBOT for a specific list of indications, including decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, severe anemia, crush injury, gas gangrene, non-healing diabetic wounds, compromised skin grafts, delayed radiation injury, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, intracranial abscess, necrotizing soft tissue infections, sudden hearing loss and thermal burns.
Which type does HBOT NOW offer in Denver?
HBOT NOW in Englewood, CO offers mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT) sessions in FDA-registered soft-shell chambers designed for wellness, recovery and performance. We serve clients across the greater Denver metro, including Centennial, Littleton, Aurora and Parker.
Is the equipment at HBOT NOW FDA cleared?
Yes. We operate FDA-registered soft-shell hyperbaric chambers rated for 1.3 ATA mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, paired with medical-grade oxygen concentrators. Every session is supervised by trained staff.
How many sessions will I need?
Most clients feel benefits after a series of sessions rather than a single visit. Many wellness protocols suggest 10 to 40 sessions depending on your goals — call (720) 308-2394 and we'll help you pick the right package.