HBOT & Chronic Inflammation — What the Research Shows · Oceanside, CA
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION
IS THE FIRE
THAT DOESN'T GO OUT.
Acute inflammation heals you. Chronic inflammation damages you — quietly, persistently, and at the root of most major diseases. Researchers are now investigating whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help modulate the immune response driving chronic systemic inflammation. This page explores what the science currently shows.
This page is educational and informational. It does not claim that HBOT treats, cures, or prevents chronic inflammation or any other condition. HBOT is not an FDA-approved treatment for chronic inflammation. If you are experiencing symptoms, please speak with a qualified healthcare provider.
What the Research Shows
800%
Increase in circulating stem cells over a course of HBOT — University of Pennsylvania1
37%
Reduction in senescent immune cells — the "zombie cells" that drive chronic inflammation2
#1
Rated PT Clinic — North County 2025
Understanding Chronic Inflammation
INFLAMMATION IS SUPPOSED TO HEAL YOU. NOT BECOME THE PROBLEM.
Acute inflammation is your body's natural response to injury or infection — it's protective and necessary. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it stops being a healing mechanism and starts being a source of ongoing damage, pain, and dysfunction.
Chronic inflammation operates silently at the cellular level — damaging tissue, disrupting organ function, and driving conditions ranging from joint pain and gut issues to cardiovascular disease and neurological symptoms. Anti-inflammatories and medications manage the response but rarely address the underlying biology. HBOT may help reset it.
Conditions Driven by Chronic Inflammation
Chronic joint pain — persistent aching, stiffness, and swelling in one or multiple joints
Gut inflammation — bloating, discomfort, and digestive issues linked to systemic immune activity
Fatigue & brain fog — inflammatory cytokines crossing the blood-brain barrier and disrupting cognition
Skin conditions — eczema, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin responses
Slow or stalled healing — tissue that won't repair properly due to ongoing inflammatory disruption
Widespread body pain — diffuse aching with no clear structural cause, often worse after activity
Understanding Chronic Inflammation
INFLAMMATION IS SUPPOSED TO TURN OFF. IN CHRONIC CASES, IT DOESN'T.
Acute inflammation is a normal, necessary immune response — it protects against infection and drives tissue repair. But when the inflammatory signal doesn't resolve, the immune system shifts into a state of chronic low-grade activation that damages healthy tissue over time rather than protecting it.
Chronic systemic inflammation is now recognized as a root-level driver in a wide range of conditions — including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, and accelerated aging. Researchers have identified several cellular mechanisms that sustain chronic inflammation, including senescent cells — aging cells that stop functioning normally but remain metabolically active, secreting pro-inflammatory signals that keep the immune system in a constant state of alert.
The challenge is that most anti-inflammatory approaches — NSAIDs, corticosteroids, biologics — manage symptoms at the molecular level without addressing the underlying cellular dysfunction driving the inflammatory state. This has motivated researchers to investigate interventions that work upstream, at the level of cellular biology.
"HBOT induced a significant senolytic effect — reducing senescent cells by 37% and increasing telomere length by 38% — changes that represent a meaningful reversal of cellular aging markers."
— Hachmo et al., Aging, 2020 (Tel Aviv University / Sagol Center)
Why Cellular Aging Drives Inflammation
SENESCENT CELLS ARE THE SPARK THAT KEEPS THE FIRE BURNING.
Cellular senescence — the accumulation of dysfunctional "zombie cells" that refuse to die — is one of the most intensely studied mechanisms in aging and chronic disease research. Senescent cells are a primary source of the pro-inflammatory cytokines that sustain chronic systemic inflammation, and their accumulation accelerates with age, stress, injury, and illness.
Researchers at the Tel Aviv University Sagol Center found that a protocol of HBOT treatments reduced the number of senescent immune cells in the bloodstream by 37% — while simultaneously increasing telomere length by 38%. This combination — fewer senescent cells producing fewer inflammatory signals — represents a potential upstream intervention in chronic inflammation rather than a downstream symptom management approach.
The mechanism proposed is that HBOT's repeated cycles of high-oxygen and normal-oxygen exposure act as a form of cellular stress conditioning — triggering clearance of senescent cells and stimulating regenerative pathways in healthy cells. Researchers are actively investigating how durable these effects are and whether they translate to measurable reductions in clinical inflammatory markers.
Senescent "zombie" cells — dysfunctional cells that secrete chronic inflammatory signals
Pro-inflammatory cytokines — chemical messengers that sustain immune activation
Telomere shortening — a marker of cellular aging closely linked to inflammation
Tissue hypoxia — reduced oxygen delivery that amplifies inflammatory signaling
Immune dysregulation — loss of normal on/off control over inflammatory response
The Research Angle
WHAT HBOT DOES
THAT RESEARCHERS
ARE INVESTIGATING
THAT RESEARCHERS
ARE INVESTIGATING
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure — creating physiological conditions that researchers believe may influence the cellular mechanisms driving chronic inflammation from the inside out. Here are six areas currently under investigation.
💥
Senescent Cell Clearance
A 2020 Tel Aviv University trial found that HBOT reduced senescent immune cells by 37% — a senolytic effect previously achievable only with experimental drugs. Senescent cells are a primary driver of chronic inflammatory signaling. Researchers are investigating whether this clearance effect can meaningfully reduce the systemic inflammatory burden in patients with chronic inflammation-driven conditions.
🛡
Cytokine Modulation
Chronic inflammation is sustained by pro-inflammatory cytokines — signaling molecules that keep the immune system in a state of alert. HBOT has been shown in multiple studies to reduce circulating levels of key pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Researchers are studying whether these reductions are clinically meaningful and durable in patients with chronic systemic inflammation.
🔬
Stem Cell Mobilization
Research at the University of Pennsylvania found HBOT increased circulating stem cells by 800%. In the context of chronic inflammation, mobilized stem cells may support tissue repair in areas damaged by ongoing inflammatory activity and contribute to immune system rebalancing. Researchers are investigating whether this mobilization effect complements the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of HBOT.
🫚
Tissue Oxygenation
Hypoxia — reduced oxygen availability in tissue — amplifies inflammatory signaling and is both a cause and consequence of chronic inflammation. HBOT dissolves oxygen directly into plasma under pressure, reaching hypoxic tissue that normal circulation may not be adequately supplying. Researchers are exploring whether restoring tissue oxygenation can help break the hypoxia-inflammation feedback cycle.
⌛
Telomere Preservation
The same 2020 trial that documented senescent cell reduction also found HBOT increased telomere length by 38% — a marker associated with cellular health and reduced inflammatory aging. Telomere shortening is closely linked to cellular senescence and chronic inflammation, and researchers are investigating whether HBOT's effect on telomere dynamics contributes to its broader anti-inflammatory profile.
⚡
Mitochondrial Function
Mitochondrial dysfunction is both a driver and a product of chronic inflammation — damaged mitochondria produce reactive oxygen species that amplify inflammatory signaling. HBOT's oxygen surge supports mitochondrial energy production and may help clear dysfunctional mitochondria through a process called mitophagy. Researchers are studying whether improved mitochondrial health contributes to reduced inflammatory burden.
Important Context
The research on HBOT and chronic inflammation is promising but still developing. Most of the mechanistic evidence comes from studies in aging, Long COVID, and autoimmune populations — conditions where chronic inflammation is a central feature. Dedicated RCTs in "chronic inflammation" as a primary endpoint are limited. HBOT is not an approved treatment for systemic inflammation. These findings should be considered alongside conventional medical care, not instead of it.
WANT TO KNOW IF HBOT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
The Clinical Evidence
WHAT THE STUDIES
HAVE FOUND
HAVE FOUND
Three of the most cited studies relevant to HBOT and chronic inflammation — spanning cellular aging, immune function, and systemic inflammatory burden.
Human Trial · Aging 2020
37% REDUCTION IN SENESCENT IMMUNE CELLS — THE PRIMARY DRIVERS OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION
A controlled trial published in Aging (2020) by researchers at Tel Aviv University examined the effect of a 60-session HBOT protocol on cellular aging markers in healthy adults. The study measured senescent cell counts, telomere length, and immune cell composition before and after the protocol.
Results showed a 37% reduction in senescent T-helper and T-cytotoxic immune cells — the cells most responsible for the chronic inflammatory signaling pattern known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Simultaneously, telomere length increased by 38%. Researchers described the findings as a significant reversal of cellular aging markers, with direct implications for chronic inflammation research.
Source: Hachmo et al., Aging, 2020. DOI: 10.18632/aging.202188
Mechanistic Research · American Journal of Physiology 2006
800% STEM CELL INCREASE — MOBILIZATION OF THE BODY'S OWN REPAIR SYSTEM
The landmark University of Pennsylvania study by Dr. Stephen Thom found that HBOT increased circulating CD34+ stem cells by 800% over a course of treatments — the safest known method of stem cell mobilization. The study also documented that these cells migrated to areas of injury and tissue damage to support repair.
In the context of chronic inflammation, this is significant: tissue chronically damaged by ongoing inflammation is precisely the environment where stem cell-mediated repair is most needed. Researchers are investigating whether HBOT's stem cell mobilization effect can support tissue recovery in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions where conventional healing has been impaired.
Source: Thom et al., American Journal of Physiology, 2006. DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00306.2006
RCT · PLOS ONE 2022
SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN INFLAMMATORY MARKERS CONFIRMED IN CONTROLLED TRIAL
A randomized controlled trial at the Tel Aviv University Sagol Center studying Long COVID patients — a population characterized by elevated systemic inflammation — documented significant improvements in inflammatory burden alongside cognitive, fatigue, and quality of life measures following HBOT. Brain imaging confirmed objective changes in affected tissue.
The study is relevant to chronic inflammation broadly because the biological mechanisms driving Long COVID's inflammatory profile — persistent immune activation, elevated cytokines, tissue hypoxia — are the same mechanisms present across many chronic inflammatory conditions. Researchers noted that HBOT's effects appeared to operate on inflammation at the cellular level rather than merely managing downstream symptoms.
Source: Hadanny et al., PLOS ONE, 2022. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261405
The Broader Research Context
The 2020 Aging trial is among the most significant recent findings in HBOT research — demonstrating measurable cellular changes (senescent cell reduction, telomere lengthening) that represent a potential mechanism for upstream intervention in chronic inflammation rather than downstream symptom management. The research community has taken notice, and follow-up studies are ongoing at multiple institutions.
At Land and Sea PT, we offer HBOT as a wellness service for people who want to take an active approach to how they feel. Chronic inflammation is something we see in many of our patients — often as an underlying factor in the pain, fatigue, and slow recovery they're dealing with. We're glad to walk you through the research and have an honest conversation about what HBOT may and may not offer.
WANT TO KNOW IF HBOT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Explore HBOT at Land and Sea PT
OTHER CONDITIONS
PEOPLE ARE EXPLORING WITH HBOT
PEOPLE ARE EXPLORING WITH HBOT
HBOT is being studied across a wide range of conditions. Explore what the research shows for other areas at Land and Sea PT in Oceanside.
🔥 Inflammation & Recovery
🫚
Long COVID
Fatigue, brain fog, breathlessness
🛡
Autoimmune
Immune dysregulation, inflammation
🔋
Chronic Fatigue
Low energy, brain fog, exhaustion
🔥
Chronic Inflammation
Systemic inflammatory response
Current Page
⚡
Chronic Pain
Persistent pain, neuropathy, fibromyalgia
🌡
Fibromyalgia
Widespread pain, fatigue, sensitivity
🦠
Lyme Disease
Chronic symptoms, fatigue, joint pain
🩹
Tissue Recovery
Wound healing, diabetic tissue health
🧬
Neuropathy
Nerve pain, tingling, numbness
🏥
Post-Surgical Recovery
Healing, swelling, tissue repair
🧠 Brain & Nervous System
Ready to Learn More?
LET'S HAVE A
CONVERSATION.
CONVERSATION.
If chronic inflammation is something you've been managing — or something you suspect is at the root of how you feel — we're here to walk you through what HBOT is, what the research shows, and whether it's worth exploring.
This page is educational only. HBOT is not an approved treatment for chronic inflammation or any related condition. Results vary between individuals. Please work with your healthcare provider for diagnosis and care. HBOT at Land and Sea PT is offered as a wellness service.
📍 821 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA
Serving Carlsbad · Vista · San Marcos · North County San Diego
Serving Carlsbad · Vista · San Marcos · North County San Diego
References
- Thom et al. "Stem cell mobilization by hyperbaric oxygen." American Journal of Physiology, 2006. DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00306.2006
- Hachmo et al. "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases telomere length and decreases immunosenescence in isolated blood cells." Aging, 2020. DOI: 10.18632/aging.202188
- Hadanny et al. "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for post-COVID-19 condition." PLOS ONE, 2022. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261405