Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Georgia

A traumatic brain injury can turn life upside down in an instant. Even after the initial bruises and scans look “normal,” many people are left with invisible symptoms that linger for months or even years. You might be dealing with:

• Daily or near-daily headaches
• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• Fatigue that doesn’t match your activity level
• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

These symptoms are real, exhausting, and can affect everything from your work to your relationships and hobbies.

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we understand that recovering from a TBI is about more than healing the brain—it’s about restoring your quality of life. One of the advanced, non-invasive therapies we may recommend for select patients is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). HBOT is never a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s considered only after a careful, individual evaluation to see whether it’s appropriate and how it might fit into your broader recovery plan.

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing 100% oxygen while resting in a chamber where the air pressure is higher than normal.

In everyday life, we breathe air that contains about 21% oxygen at standard atmospheric pressure. In a hyperbaric chamber, you breathe pure oxygen at a pressure typically greater than what you experience at sea level. This combination allows your body to take in and circulate much higher levels of oxygen than normal.

Types of Hyperbaric Chambers

There are two main types of hyperbaric chambers:

• Monoplace chambers – Designed for one person at a time, typically a clear tube-like chamber where you can lie down comfortably.
• Multiplace chambers – Larger rooms that can treat multiple patients simultaneously, often with patients wearing masks or hoods to breathe oxygen.

How a Hyperbaric Chamber Works

Under increased pressure, oxygen behaves differently in the body. Instead of being carried only by red blood cells, more oxygen dissolves directly into the plasma (the fluid part of your blood). This oxygen-rich plasma can reach areas of the body that might have reduced circulation or a compromised blood supply—such as injured or inflamed tissues.

For brain injuries, this can be significant:

• More oxygen is delivered to brain tissue that may be under-perfused.
• The environment around damaged cells may become more favorable for healing and recovery.

HBOT sessions—often called “dives”—are usually performed as part of a series, since the therapeutic effects tend to build over time. The exact number and frequency of sessions depend on your diagnosis, response, and individualized treatment plan.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy May Help with Traumatic Brain Injury

The Science: Oxygen, Healing, and the Brain

The brain is extremely sensitive to oxygen levels. When we increase oxygen availability in a controlled way, several beneficial processes may be supported:

• Support for vulnerable brain cells (penumbra): After an injury, there can be a “border zone” of brain tissue that is injured but not dead. Additional oxygen may help these cells function better and potentially recover.
• Reduced inflammation and swelling: HBOT has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which may ease swelling and irritation in injured brain tissue.
• Promotion of new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis): Over time, repeated HBOT sessions may encourage the formation of new capillaries, improving long-term blood flow in treated areas.
• Support for neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to reorganize, form new connections, and adapt is called neuroplasticity. By improving oxygen delivery and reducing inflammation, HBOT may create a more favorable environment for those adaptive changes.

While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, these processes offer a logical framework for why some TBI patients report improvements with HBOT.

Potential Benefits for TBI Patients

Patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI-related symptoms sometimes report:

• Reduced headaches and dizziness
• Improved mental clarity, concentration, and focus
• Better sleep quality and more refreshing rest
• More stable mood and energy levels
• Faster or more noticeable gains when combined with other therapies, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, vision therapy, or cognitive rehabilitation

It’s very important to emphasize that results vary from person to person, and no therapy can promise a cure. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we view HBOT as an adjunctive therapy—designed to enhance a comprehensive rehab plan, not replace other evidence-based treatments.

What to Expect During Hyperbaric Treatment at Medici

Your Initial Evaluation

Your hyperbaric journey at Medici starts with a comprehensive, low-pressure conversation—not a rush into a chamber.

During your initial evaluation, our multi-disciplinary team will:

• Take a detailed TBI history – how and when your injury happened, how severe it was, and what’s changed since then.
• Review your symptom timeline and current limitations – what you can and can’t do comfortably at work, at home, and in daily life.
• Look closely at previous treatments and outcomes – including medications, therapies, injections, surgeries, or other brain-focused care you’ve tried.

Based on all of this, we’ll discuss whether HBOT makes sense as part of your overall recovery plan, or whether other therapies should be prioritized first.

A Typical Hyperbaric Session

If HBOT is part of your treatment plan, we’ll walk you step-by-step through what to expect so there are no surprises.

A typical session includes:

• Pre-session preparation and safety checks
  We review your symptoms, vital signs, and any changes in your health since your last visit. If anything raises concern, we may adjust or postpone the session.
• Getting comfortable in the chamber
  You’ll lie down or recline in the hyperbaric chamber, with pillows or supports to keep you relaxed. You can usually see outside the chamber, and our staff can see and communicate with you at all times.
• Time inside the chamber
  Sessions typically last around 60–90 minutes, though the exact duration and pressure level may vary based on your individualized treatment plan. Many patients use this time to rest, listen to music, or simply close their eyes.
• How pressure changes feel
  As the chamber pressurizes, you’ll feel a sensation in your ears similar to taking off or landing in an airplane. We show you how to “equalize” this pressure (swallowing, yawning, gentle Valsalva maneuvers) to stay comfortable.
• Staff communication and monitoring
  You’re never alone in the process. Our trained team monitors you throughout the session and can adjust the treatment if you’re uncomfortable or have questions.

After the Session & Treatment Course

Most patients tolerate HBOT well and are able to return to normal activities shortly after a session.

Common experiences after treatment include:

• Feeling relaxed or gently tired
• Mild ear fullness that usually resolves quickly
• Occasionally feeling a bit lightheaded for a short period

Your overall treatment course will be tailored to your needs, but many patients undergo a series of sessions scheduled several times per week. As you progress, we will:

• Track your symptoms and function over time – using your feedback and, when appropriate, structured assessments.
• Monitor for benefits and side effects – to make sure HBOT is moving you in the right direction.
• Build in re-assessment points to decide whether to continue, adjust, or pause treatment based on your response.

Our goal is not to keep you in treatment indefinitely, but to use HBOT strategically—long enough to make a meaningful difference, and always in balance with your other therapies and life commitments.

Ready to Explore Hyperbaric Therapy for TBI? We’re Here to Help.

Living with the lingering effects of a traumatic brain injury can be exhausting—mentally, physically, and emotionally. The headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and mood changes can make it feel like you’ll never get back to your old self. But there is hope.

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we believe you shouldn’t have to simply “live with it.” Our team is committed to helping patients heal and thrive using the most effective, minimally invasive, and least drug-dependent options available.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) may provide meaningful support for brain healing, clarity, energy, and daily function—especially when it’s thoughtfully integrated into a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary plan. Every patient’s situation is unique, and we take time to evaluate whether HBOT is the right fit for your individual needs.

Contact Medici Orthopaedics & Spine

Main Phone: +1-844-328-4624

Kennesaw Clinic:
2911 George Busbee Parkway, Suite 50
Kennesaw, GA 30144
📞 (770) 545-6404

Snellville Clinic:
2220 Wisteria Drive, Unit 101
Snellville, GA 30078
📞 (470) 645-9297

Buckhead PM&R:
3200 Downwood Circle, NW, Suite 520
Atlanta, GA 30327
📞 (770) 872-7549

Marietta Ambulatory Surgery Center:
792 Church Street, Unit 101
Marietta, GA 30060
📞 (470) 795-8398

🌐 Website: mediciortho.com