I Used an Oxygen Chamber to Ease My Knee Pain—and It Ended Up Improving My Sleep

After reinjuring their knee, the author pursued physical therapy, natural remedies, and eventually hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Remedy Place, a wellness club in NYC. This high-oxygen treatment alleviated knee pain, improved circulation, and enhanced sleep quality. Sessions increase blood oxygen levels, boosting relaxation, energy, mental clarity, and resilience to stress.

A few months ago, I reinjured my knee—which led to chronic inflammation and pain on the left side of my knee whenever I tried to run or jump.

After going to several doctors, we agreed that the solution would be attending regular physical therapy as well as trying a few natural methods to help manage the pain and inflammation I was experiencing while exercising.

Ice packs only did so much, though—but luckily, I have a lot of friends in the fitness industry who’ve dealt with similar injuries and were able to provide additional guidance.

Many of my fitness friends recommended I try out a wellness club in New York City called Remedy Place, which features a ton of high-end recovery options for people dealing with chronic pain who want to avoid surgery. (We included Remedy Place in our Flatiron travel guide because we love it so much!)

The different “remedies” have also been created for people struggling with other issues and are meant to help promote relaxation, boost the immune system, aid in workout recovery, and even assist with mental clarity, depending on the service you choose.

While I initially mostly did ice baths and cryotherapy for the cold factor, I soon tried out different options to see if any of them made a difference in my daily life. To my complete shock, I fell head over heels for their hyperbaric oxygen chamber.

This wellness treatment not only helped heal my inflammation but gave me some of the best sleep I’ve ever had in my life. Here’s everything you need to know about using an oxygen chamber for better sleep.

What is an oxygen chamber?

“A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a modality designed to enhance the body’s natural healing processes by increasing oxygen saturation in the blood,” explains Jonathan Leary, doctor of chiropractic medicine and founder and CEO of Remedy Place.

The chamber creates a pressurized environment that pushes more oxygen into your body. This significantly elevates the oxygen levels in your bloodstream, which can accelerate recovery and promote faster healing, explains Leary.

Basically, in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, the air pressure is increased to two to three times higher than normal air pressure. So, your lungs can gather much more oxygen than would be possible by breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure.

“A hyperbaric oxygen chamber is a modality designed to enhance the body’s natural healing processes by increasing oxygen saturation in the blood.”

-Jonathan Leary, doctor of chiropractic medicine and founder and CEO of Remedy Place

It can be hard to find one, though: You’ll have to look at specialty wellness spas or doctor’s offices since this isn’t something you’ll be able to use at a typical gym. It’s considered a medical device, after all.

What are the benefits of using an oxygen chamber?

There are many potential benefits of using an oxygen chamber since the increased oxygen in your bloodstream can help kickstart a host of biochemical reactions, according to Leary.

“Hyperbaric oxygen chambers operate by increasing the ambient pressure around the body, which facilitates a higher concentration of oxygen to dissolve into the blood plasma,” he says. “This elevated oxygen level can penetrate deeper into tissues, even those with compromised blood flow, thereby enhancing cellular repair, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall health.”

Below are a few potential benefits of using an oxygen chamber regularly:

  • Increased energy levels: “Many individuals report a boost in energy and a feeling of rejuvenation shortly after their session,” says Leary. “The increased oxygenation of tissues can help combat fatigue and improve overall vitality.”
  • Enhanced mental clarity: Users frequently experience heightened mental clarity and improved cognitive function since the brain benefits from the increased oxygen supply, notes Leary. This can enhance focus, memory, and overall mental performance: In fact, studies have indicated that the increased blood flow to the brain helps your brain function more effectively.
  • Reduced inflammation and pain relief: Mild pressure hyperbaric oxygen chambers can reduce inflammation, leading to immediate relief from pain and discomfort. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from chronic pain conditions. A recent study found that after using an oxygen chamber for only two weeks, patients reported higher pain tolerance and felt less pain daily, despite no other change to their conditions.
  • Improved circulation: “Enhanced blood flow and circulation are common immediate effects of a hyperbaric chamber, which can contribute to a feeling of warmth and improved physical performance,” says Leary. A study on athletes using a hyperbaric oxygen chamber found that it improved their endurance afterward due to increased oxygen levels in the lungs.
  • Relaxation and stress relief: “The therapy can induce a state of relaxation, helping to reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calm and well-being, which can contribute to better sleep quality,” says Leary. Since you’re in there for a significant period breathing, it can feel like a meditation to some as well.

How to use an oxygen chamber for better sleep

Clearly, using an oxygen chamber can potentially have some major benefits., For me, improved sleep was the biggest one.

Here are a few tips on how best to use an oxygen chamber to get better sleep, according to Leary.

  • Session duration: “To enhance sleep quality, a typical session in a mild pressure oxygen chamber should last between 60 to 90 minutes,” says Leary. “This duration is sufficient to achieve optimal oxygen saturation in the blood, which can promote relaxation and improve sleep patterns. I have found that my sleep scores improved that same night on my sessions based on my wearables.” You can be in it more if you want, but Leary cautions that more than 120 minutes won’t really make a difference in your sleep levels (though adding more time might have other benefits aside from sleep).
  • Frequency: “For best results, especially in terms of sleep, I’d say to use the oxygen chamber two to three times a week,” says Leary. Consistent sessions help maintain elevated oxygen levels in the body, contributing to overall well-being and better sleep.

Preparation

  • Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to enter the chamber. This is because you’ll likely be in there for quite a while. It’s imperative to stay comfy in clothing that’ll be more beneficial to help you relax—and also help prepare you best for sleep.
  • Hydration: “Ensure you are well-hydrated before your session,” says Leary. “Drinking water can help enhance the oxygenation process—the more hydrated your lungs are, the more effective they are at their job.”
  • Relaxation: Leary recommends using the oxygen chamber session as a time to relax. “Bring a book, listen to calming music, or do breathwork to make the most of your time in the chamber,” he says. This can help calm your nervous system down and make you better prepared to sleep.

During the session

  • Breathing: “Breathe normally and deeply to maximize oxygen intake,” says Leary. “The increased pressure will naturally enhance oxygen absorption in your lungs, but if you can focus on just nasal breathing in the experience (which helps you breathe in deeper), the results will be better.”

After the session

  • Rest: After your session, allow your body some time to adjust. “Resting for a few minutes can help you fully benefit from the increased oxygen levels,” adds Leary. “I like to do a sauna after my hyperbaric sessions.” If anything, just take some time before you immerse yourself back into your daily routine

Who should avoid an oxygen chamber

It’s important to note that due to the pressurized nature of an oxygen chamber, it’s not safe for everyone to use.

“Pregnant people should avoid oxygen chambers, as well as people with certain medical conditions, such as untreated pneumothorax and severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) since the chamber can exacerbate already restricted airflow,” says Leary. “Those undergoing chemotherapy with certain agents should consult their doctor before using an oxygen chamber as well.”

Those with acute ear or sinus infections should also avoid sessions until these conditions are resolved as pressure changes can exacerbate those symptoms.

The bottom line: If you’re thinking about trying an oxygen chamber and believe you’re susceptible to certain side effects from the pressure changes, consult a doctor before you do so.

What happened when I used an oxygen chamber

The first time I tried the oxygen chamber at Remedy Place, I have to admit I had no idea what to expect—and honestly, the chamber looked a little bit like a weird spaceship, especially with its glass doors and tubular shape.

I could totally see why anyone with claustrophobia would hate it, but since I didn’t have that issue, I decided it was worth a shot to try. I didn’t initially start going to help myself sleep, though—it was more to help heal the pain in my knee.

The area in my knee where I had the pain wasn’t getting enough blood flow to heal naturally, but the theory was that the increased oxygen in my bloodstream would help heal that area as well as play a part in pain management.

While it did help with pain and healing, the biggest benefit I’ve gotten from this modality has been improved sleep, especially if I do it two times a week.

It was almost like an out-of-body, meditative experience, and the 60 minutes I spent inside the chamber felt like it passed by way too fast. After the session, I felt like I could breathe much deeper for several hours after.

By the time I was ready to go to bed five hours later, I really believe I had reached a very steady, calm state that allowed me to regulate my nervous system better and therefore prepare me for deeper sleep.

According to Leary, this isn’t at all a surprise. “Your breathing is deeper, and this type of breathwork automatically calms the body down,” he says.

I also noticed this calm feeling lasting over the next couple of days, even when I had tons of deadlines and was running late for a workout class. While I was still stressed, of course, I could handle that stress a lot better.

By the time I was ready to go to bed five hours later, I really believe I had reached a very steady, calm state that allowed me to regulate my nervous system better and therefore prepare me for deeper sleep.

I think the oxygen chamber helped increase my resiliency to stressful situations—which in turn let me sleep better. I will say, though, that the effects seemed to wear off by day five, which is when I had to go back into the chamber again.

On average, though, it took me less than 20 minutes to fall asleep when I was using the chamber regularly as opposed to about 45 when I didn’t. I also didn’t wake up once throughout the night when the oxygen chamber was a regular part of my life, which I also believe helped contribute to my calmer state the next day.

“It has a cumulative effect,” adds Leary. “You use the chamber and get less stressed. Then, you sleep better and wake up more rested, which in turn again helps you be a calmer version of yourself the next day.”

I still make sure to use the chamber at least once a week (more during particularly stressful weeks), and find myself a calmer, happier version of myself when I do it more often.

FAQs

What does an oxygen chamber do for you?

An oxygen chamber has several physical and mental health benefits, including (but not limited to) pain relief and reduced inflammation, better sleep, lowered stress levels, improved blood circulation, enhanced mental clarity, and boosted energy levels.

How often should you use an oxygen chamber?

For best results, experts recommend you use an oxygen chamber two to three times a week. The premise is that consistent sessions help maintain elevated oxygen levels in the body, contributing to overall well-being and better sleep.

How long can you stay in an oxygen chamber?

The minimum time recommended to stay in an oxygen chamber is 30 minutes, but you could stay up to 120 minutes if you like. Any more than that, though, isn’t really conducive as your oxygen levels are generally saturated after this point.

Next, check out what happened when our writer tried the EFT tapping method to improve their sleep.

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