Inflammation, Recovery & the Power of Oxygen: How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Supports Healing & Longevity

Imagine being able to soothe the flames of inflammation simply by breathing — not ordinary air, but pure oxygen under gentle pressure, designed to flood every cell with what it needs most to repair and thrive. At Expand Health, we see firsthand how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is transforming the way clients recover from injury, surgery, and chronic inflammatory conditions, while also supporting long-term vitality and longevity.

The science of inflammation — and why it matters

Inflammation is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s your body’s natural, essential response to injury or infection — a cascade of signals that rushes immune cells to the site of damage. On the other hand, when inflammation becomes chronic or excessive, it can undermine recovery, delay tissue repair, and even accelerate ageing.

Scientists often refer to chronic low-grade inflammation as “inflammaging,” a key driver behind many age-related diseases, from cardiovascular conditions to cognitive decline. Finding ways to safely modulate inflammation isn’t just about faster recovery — it’s about protecting long-term healthspan.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves breathing up to 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber, typically at 2.5 times the normal atmospheric pressure. This environment allows your lungs to absorb far more oxygen than breathing ‘normal’ air which in general offers only approximately 21% oxygen. While red blood cells are mostly at capacity, the extra oxygen dissolves into your plasma, lymph, and cerebrospinal fluid. This process delivers oxygen deep into tissues that might otherwise be oxygen-starved due to swelling, injury, states of inflammation, or stagnant blood flow as a result of disease or ageing.

Multiple studies support the anti-inflammatory impact of increased oxygen levels in the body:

• A 2021 review published in Frontiers in Neurology highlighted HBOT’s ability to reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β — the very molecules that fuel swelling and tissue breakdown.¹

• Another study from Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry found that HBOT significantly reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients recovering from orthopaedic surgery.²

• Even in healthy adults, sessions of HBOT have been shown to lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a key biomarker of systemic inflammation.³
  
  

How does HBOT help lower inflammation?

1. Reduces inflammatory cytokine

Under hyperbaric conditions, the body decreases production of pro-inflammatory molecules and increases anti-inflammatory cytokines, shifting the balance toward healing.

2. Enhances microcirculation & oxygen delivery

Inflamed tissues often suffer from poor blood flow. The pressurised oxygen in HBOT bypasses this by saturating fluids and reaching swollen areas more effectively.

3. Mitigates oxidative stress

While oxygen itself can create free radicals, HBOT has been shown to upregulate the body’s antioxidant defences, effectively balancing oxidative stress and reducing chronic inflammation.

4. Stimulates angiogenesis & collagen synthesis

By promoting the formation of new blood vessels and supporting fibroblast activity, HBOT helps resolve the underlying tissue damage that perpetuates inflammation.

At Expand Health, many clients integrate HBOT after orthopaedic surgeries, cosmetic procedures, or sports injuries. It is not just about speeding up wound closure, but rather calming the inflammatory response so tissues can regenerate optimally.

A clinical study on the effects of HBOT use after orthopaedic surgery found that patients using HBOT after joint surgery had 48% less postoperative swelling and regained range of motion significantly faster.⁴

The Journal of Sports Medicine also demonstrated a quicker return to baseline strength and lower markers of muscle inflammation after a series of HBOT sessions in a study on athletes recovering from muscle strain.⁵

Supporting long-term healthspan by controlling inflammation

Beyond acute injury or surgery, many people seek HBOT for its role in reducing systemic inflammation linked to chronic conditions and ageing. Research suggests regular sessions may help keep inflammatory markers in check, supporting cardiovascular, metabolic, and even cognitive health.

If you’re curious about harnessing the power of oxygen to calm inflammation, recover faster, and invest in your long-term health, our team in De Waterkant, Cape Town is here to guide you. At Expand Health, we integrate Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy into holistic longevity programmes tailored to your unique physiology and goals. From the moment you step into our clinic, every aspect is designed for your comfort and optimal outcome. It’s an experience that’s not just restorative, but deeply empowering.

Experience Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Expand Health, Cape Town

Contact us today to find out more about our weekly or monthly unlimited-use HBOT packages, or schedule a consultation with our Integrative Doctor to learn how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy fits into a precision health plan crafted just for you.

Explore our complementary anti-inflammatory therapies, including Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy and Photobiomodulation Red Light Therapy.

Expand Health, 1st Level, Hudson Building, 30 Hudson St, De Waterkant, Cape Town.
+27 66 448 0238

References

¹ Harch, P. et al. (2021). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in inflammation: Mechanisms and applications. Frontiers in Neurology.

² Guo, S. et al. (2019). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in postoperative patients. Cell Physiol Biochem.

³ Camporesi, E. et al. (2010). The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on CRP and oxidative stress. Undersea Hyperb Med.

⁴ Babul, S. et al. (2018). Effect of HBOT on swelling after arthroscopic surgery. J Sports Med Phys Fitness.

⁵ Ishii, Y. et al. (2005). Hyperbaric oxygen accelerates muscle recovery. Am J Sports Med.

hyperbaric oxygen therapy | HBOT for inflammation | oxygen therapy for inflammation | post-surgery recovery | holistic inflammation treatment Cape Town | Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Cape Town