The History of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: From Medical Innovation to Premium Health Solution

Across the globe, people are discovering what was once one of medicine’s best-kept secrets. Inside a state-of-the-art chamber that feels more like a premium first-class suite than a medical device, they’re experiencing something extraordinary. 

This isn’t simply another modern wellness trend — it’s part of a centuries-old story of medical innovation. Today’s pristine, high-tech chambers with luxury amenities would astonish the pioneers who first discovered the healing power of pressurized oxygen. 

The history of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) tells a compelling story of human ingenuity, medical breakthroughs, and relentless refinement. At Aviv Clinics, we’re proud to represent the latest chapter in this remarkable journey.

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The Early History of HBOT

The history of HBOT begins with a vision that once seemed more science fiction than medicine. While largely primitive by today’s standards, each hyperbaric chamber throughout history expanded upon our understanding of what’s possible when we harness the power of pressurized air, and later, oxygen. 

Science of the 1600s

1662: Physician Nathaniel Henshaw observed that health changes with increased or decreased altitude. To replicate this effect, he described the “domicilium” — a sealed wooden chamber powered by organ bellows to air pressure — now recognized as the world’s first hyperbaric chamber, at least in concept. 

1670: Scientist Robert Boyle documented the first evidence of air pressure’s effects on living tissue. He observed changes during a vacuum chamber experiment, including bubbles forming in a snake’s eye.

The 1800s: From Mining to Medicine

1830s: Pressure therapy experienced a renaissance in France, spreading rapidly across Europe. “Pneumatic institutes” and “compressed air baths” became popular in health resorts in major cities, often touting the benefits of “fresh air” for treating respiratory conditions and other ailments. 

1839: Engineer and geologist Jacques Triger developed deep pressurized shafts, known as caissons, for underwater mining. His observation of workers’ symptoms in these chambers led to the first documentation of decompression sickness, or “the bends,” in humans.

Late 1800s:  More than 100 Brooklyn Bridge construction workers developed decompression sickness (termed “caisson disease” at the time). Deep-sea divers and naval workers also encountered the bends, a mysterious, often deadly condition caused by surfacing too quickly. The urgent need for treatment drove the development of practical hyperbaric chambers for safe decompression. Physicians experimented with mobile chambers for various conditions, which began traveling between European cities. 

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Shifting from Pressurized Air to Hyperbaric Oxygen

As technology advanced, a significant shift occurred when oxygen was introduced into pressurized environments, marking the transition from air therapy to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This shift marks the evolution of hyperbaric chambers into powerful tools for healing, using oxygen at higher pressures to improve medical outcomes.

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Developments in the Early 1900s

1900s: Thanks to dramatic leaps made during the Industrial Revolution, steel replaced wood, pressure controls became precise, and oxygen delivery systems grew more sophisticated. 

1908: The British Royal Navy commissioned a breakthrough study. Scientists developed the first scientific decompression schedules, calculating how divers could safely return to the surface based on depth and timing. These tables eventually led to the creation of the U.S. Navy Diving Manual in 1916. Today, this manual continues to be widely considered the standard for hyperbaric pressure and decompression algorithms.

1928: Dr. Orval Cunningham unveiled a five-story spherical “steel ball hospital” called the Cunningham Sanitarium in Cleveland, Ohio. This large-scale hyperbaric facility could treat many patients simultaneously. However, Dr. Cunningham had made many dubious claims about the efficacy of pressurized air. The sanitarium closed within a decade, and hyperbaric therapy suffered a black eye in the medical community.

Military-Led Innovation

World War II catalyzed the next wave of advancement. As submarine warfare and high-altitude flying became crucial tactics, military research drove rapid innovation in pressure therapy. The treatment of decompression sickness evolved from an emergency procedure to a sophisticated medical protocol.

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The Path to Medical Validation

Like many medical innovations, HBOT faced initial skepticism. Some practitioners, like Cunningham, oversold it as a cure-all, providing treatments without scientific backing. This led to decades of work to legitimize HBOT through rigorous research and clinical studies.

The turning point came in the 1960s when HBOT proved invaluable for treating carbon monoxide poisoning and diving accidents. This opened the door for major research that validated its effectiveness across many conditions. 

1967: The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) is formed. It serves 2,000 physicians, scientists, nurses, and other professionals from more than 30 countries in the fields of hyperbaric medicine and diving medicine. All but one of the founders were associates with the U.S. Navy and involved with diving. Today, UHMS offers training and accreditation hyperbaric nursing, hyperbaric technology, and certification for physicians, as well as facility accreditation.

1967: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published fire safety standards for HBOT facilities, which were integrated into its Health Care Facilities Code in 1984.

1971: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) established a committee on “Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy” (PVHOs), including hyperbaric chambers, diving bells, submarines, and pressurized tunnel boring machines.

1977: ASME published its first code of standards for PVHOs, which are updated biannually.

Growing Medical Recognition

The FDA has approved HBOT for 13 conditions, from chronic wounds to severe burns. Clinical studies continue to explore its potential for neurological conditions, showing promising results for stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, long COVID symptoms, and more.

Perhaps one of the most important modern breakthroughs lies in the Nobel-prize-winning research that went into understanding the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox. This is where cells interpret controlled oxygen fluctuations as a lack of oxygen, a “natural trigger for mitochondria metabolic changes” and regenerative processes. By precisely managing these oxygen levels, we can:

• Increase oxygen in the blood
• Accelerate tissue healing
• Enhance the body and brain’s natural repair mechanisms

This insight is central to Aviv Clinics’ unique HBOT protocol and represents the latest advancement in the long history of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It combines centuries of knowledge with cutting-edge science to achieve new health standards.

Modern Medicine and Comfort

Today’s hyperbaric chambers combine cutting-edge technology with premium comfort. At Aviv Clinics, we carry forward this legacy of innovation, offering advanced treatments for physical and cognitive enhancement in a state-of-the-art environment.

When most people think of hyperbaric chambers, they picture the single-person “monoplace” tubes popularized by celebrities like Michael Jackson in 1980s tabloids. While these chambers still a role in HBOT’s deployment, many of today’s treatment environments are far more sophisticated. 

Modern multiplace chambers offer spacious, comfortable environments where clients can sit upright, move freely, practice cognitive skills, and even socialize while receiving HBOT.

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The Human Impact of HBOT

Medical trailblazers like Dr. Lindell Weaver have dedicated decades to hyperbaric research and helped establish HBOT as a vital treatment for conditions ranging from carbon monoxide poisoning to brain injuries. “There are more than 1,000 hyperbaric medicine centers in the USA,” says Dr. Weaver. He hopes to expand the availability of HBOT to more patients.

Dr. Shai Efrati, another modern pioneer in hyperbaric oxygen science, explains the impact HBOT has on multiple medical conditions:

“We’re unlocking the body’s potential to heal itself,” he explains. “It’s about using the environment to achieve what surgery and chemicals cannot.”

But it’s patient stories that illustrate the real impact of HBOT. 

“I wish we could get more education out there to let people know that this is available,” shares Cindy. Years after suffering a stroke, she found a new lease on life through a multidisciplinary treatment program that included the Aviv HBOT protocol. “I finally found the one thing that could really help me.”

For Clarissa, this transformation involved healing, both mentally and physically, from debilitating post-concussion symptoms: “I have clearer thinking, I’m more focused. I sleep much better. I can honestly tell you … it really worked for me.”

Read more about the safety and effectiveness of HBOT. 

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Aviv Clinics: The Next Chapter in HBOT History

At Aviv Clinics, we’re advancing HBOT through key innovations, precisely controlling oxygen fluctuations to trigger the body’s natural regenerative mechanisms — a scientifically validated process that represents the world’s most advanced HBOT protocol. 

We’re proud to carry HBOT’s legacy while pioneering new frontiers in healing and performance. Our comprehensive Aviv Medical Program can combine this advanced HBOT protocol with cognitive training, physical conditioning, and nutritional coaching tailored to individual needs. 

If you’re ready to experience the next generation of HBOT, learn more about our innovative treatment program and how it can help you unlock new levels of vitality.