Questions?
We’ve got you.
Everything you need to know before your first session — and beyond.
How it works
- What happens during a session?
- How long is each session?
- What type of chamber do you use?
Experiences & sensations
- Will I feel claustrophobic?
- Is it painful?
- What can I take into the chamber?
Assessment & preparation
- Do I need a health assessment?
- How should I prepare?
- What should I wear?
Pricing
- How much does it cost?
- Why are multiple sessions recommended?
- Do you offer memberships?
The full list
General understanding
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen inside a pressurised chamber. The increased pressure allows far more oxygen to dissolve into your blood plasma and reach your tissues — supporting recovery, reduced inflammation, and cellular repair. Explore the full science →
HBOT is associated with faster recovery, reduced inflammation, improved circulation, sustained energy, sharper focus, and immune support. The What is HBOT page covers the mechanisms behind each in depth.
Calm and comfortable. The pressure builds gradually around you as you breathe pure oxygen through a BIBS mask. You may feel a gentle fullness in your ears — like an aeroplane taking off — which clears with a simple yawn or swallow. Most people leave feeling refreshed.
ATA stands for Atmospheres Absolute — the unit of pressure. 1 ATA is surface level; 2 ATA is equivalent to roughly 10 metres below sea level. Clinical therapeutic sessions operate at this elevated level, which is what allows more oxygen to dissolve into the blood.
No. Oxygen bars deliver ambient air enriched with oxygen at normal pressure. HBOT uses pressurised pure oxygen, dramatically increasing how much oxygen the body can actually absorb — a fundamentally different and more powerful mechanism.
No. While it was originally developed for decompression sickness, HBOT is now widely used by athletes, high performers, and longevity-focused individuals as part of their recovery and performance protocols.
How it works
You arrive and receive a brief introduction — plus a health check if it’s your first visit. You enter the chamber, the pressure builds gradually, and (in the hard-shell chambers) you breathe pure oxygen through a BIBS mask for the session. At the end, the pressure releases gradually before you exit.
Around 60 minutes at therapeutic pressure, within a 90-minute slot — leaving time to settle before and after.
The premium hard-shell chamber is two-seat, so you can book it privately as a single or share it as a double. The laydown hard-shell chamber and both soft-shell chambers are single-occupancy.
Both. We have two hard-shell chambers at 2 ATA with BIBS pure-oxygen delivery — the clinical-grade flagship: one two-seat (with A/C, red-light therapy and a TV) and one laydown (with A/C). Alongside them are two soft-shell chambers at 1.4–1.5 ATA — a portable seated unit and a dedicated wheelchair-access unit. Specific make and model confirmed by the team.
Yes — and we offer both. Hard-shell chambers reach clinical therapeutic pressure (2 ATA here) with BIBS pure-oxygen delivery, and carry the mechanism-level benefits. Soft-shell chambers operate at a lower pressure (1.4–1.5 ATA here) and are a gentler, more accessible option — described on their own terms, not with the hard-shell’s clinical claims. Our two hard-shell units are the flagship; our two soft-shell units include a dedicated wheelchair-access chamber.
Experiences & sensations
The chamber is spacious enough to sit or recline comfortably, and most people relax quickly once inside. If you have any concerns, speak to the team before your first session — we’re happy to talk it through.
No. You may feel mild pressure in your ears during pressurisation, similar to ascending or descending in an aeroplane. It settles quickly once you equalise — a simple yawn or swallow does the trick.
Generally, no flammable materials, no electronics with lithium batteries, and no petroleum-based products. Comfortable clothing is recommended. Full protocol confirmed by the team based on their safety policy.
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Avoid perfumes, lotions, or oil-based products before your session — the team will advise on any specific requirements.
Safety
HBOT has been used in clinical settings for decades. We follow established safety protocols, and every new client completes a short health questionnaire before their first session to ensure suitability.
There are some contraindications — including certain lung conditions, recent ear surgery, and active untreated pneumothorax. The health questionnaire flags anything that needs further consideration. If in doubt, speak to your GP before booking.
HBOT is not recommended during pregnancy. Please consult your GP or midwife if you have any questions.
Some medications may interact with increased oxygen levels. Complete the health questionnaire honestly and flag any medication to the team, and they’ll advise accordingly. When in doubt, check with your prescribing doctor first.
Most people experience no side effects. Some may notice mild ear discomfort during pressurisation, temporary lightheadedness, or fatigue immediately after — a sign the body is in recovery mode. Serious side effects are very rare at wellness-level pressures.
Oxygen toxicity is a known phenomenon at very high pressures or with prolonged exposure. At the pressure and durations used in wellness HBOT, this is not a concern when sessions are conducted as recommended.
Please contact the team to discuss suitability for younger clients — a health assessment and parental consent would be required. Our policy for younger clients is being finalised with clinical guidance; we’ll confirm on enquiry.
Assessment & preparation
Yes — all new clients complete a short health questionnaire before their first session. This ensures the therapy is safe and appropriate for you, and allows the team to tailor your experience.
No referral is needed for wellness HBOT. However, if you have an active medical condition, we recommend discussing HBOT with your GP before booking.
Stay well-hydrated and eat a light meal beforehand — avoid arriving on a full or completely empty stomach. Avoid alcohol in the hours before your appointment, arrive in comfortable clothing, and avoid petroleum-based products on your skin.
Results & recommendations
The International Board of Undersea Medicine recommends a minimum of 10 sessions to begin experiencing the benefits of HBOT in a wellness context. Effects are cumulative — consistent use over time produces the best outcomes.
Frequency depends on your goals. Some clients come 2–3 times per week; others use block sessions strategically around training or events. The team can advise based on what you’re trying to achieve.
Pricing
Single sessions start at £60 (soft-shell) and £95 (hard-shell), with a two-seat hard-shell session for two at £170. Multi-session blocks (3, 5, 10, 20) bring the per-session price down, and monthly memberships suit HBOT as a standing routine. See our full pricing & gift vouchers →
The benefits of HBOT build over a course rather than a single visit. The International Board of Undersea Medicine recommends a minimum of around 10 sessions to begin experiencing the benefits in a wellness context — which is why our blocks and memberships are built around consistency. See how our packages are structured →
Yes — session blocks (3, 5, 10, or 20) and three monthly membership tiers (Essential, Recovery+, Elite Performance) for those who want HBOT as a standing routine. Gift vouchers are also available, redeemable by code. Compare all options →
Block sessions are designed to be used over a sensible window so you get the cumulative benefit. Any validity period is confirmed by the team when you book.
Yes — bespoke and corporate arrangements are available for sports clubs, teams, and workplace wellness programmes, priced on enquiry. Get in touch to discuss a tailored package →
Location & access
Oldberrow Manor, Ullenhall Lane, Henley-in-Arden, B95 5PF, Warwickshire — an easy drive from across the Midlands.
Yes — there’s ample private parking on arrival.
Yes — we have a dedicated wheelchair-access soft-shell chamber. Please contact us and we’ll be glad to talk through your needs ahead of your visit.
Henley-in-Arden is served by rail on the Stratford-upon-Avon line. Further directions to be added by the team.
Can’t find your answer?
Still have questions? We’re happy to help — sometimes a quick conversation is all it takes.
A limited circle of Restoration.
A standing place in the recovery floor — priority booking, bespoke recovery protocols, and the calm of The Cottage. By invitation, or by application.
