Oxygen Therapy for People Without MS

For years our MS members have benefited from oxygen therapy. It can also help people with conditions such as:

• Cancer
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• recovery from infections, wounds, broken bones and sports injuries.

As a charity, our focus is to support people with MS. However where there is space in our sessions, we can support people with other conditions.

As with all treatments, we cannot guarantee it will work for you.

If it is a condition we have not treated before or if you are on a treatment plan we are unfamiliar with; we will consult an advisor from the Hyperbaric Oxygen Trust to advise if treatment is suitable.

We can only offer a limited number of appointments to those with conditions other than with MS and we may need to place you on a waiting list. On occasion, we may need to rearrange your appointment if demand from our MS members is especially high.

We are unable to offer appointments to people under 18 years old.

What happens during an oxygen therapy session?

Most people have never seen an oxygen chamber before and have not been in one. Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes: 1 hour breathing in the oxygen at ‘depth’ and approximately 10-15 minutes at each end of the session for the chamber to be pressurised and depressurised. The session follows the same pattern each time:

1. You will be greeted by our friendly and highly trained volunteer operators
2. You will be settled in the wheelchair accessible chamber with up to 6 other people (or at the external breathing position if that is your preference)
3. The door is closed and the operator begins to pressurise the chamber. During the session the chamber will be pressurised to the equivalent diving depth of 16.5ft, 24ft or 33ft.
4. Once ‘at depth’, you will breathe the oxygen through a face mask for an hour – you can take the mask off whenever you want and breathe normally
5. You will spend the hour breathing normally and many of our members take this time to read, listen to music or simply enjoy having time to themselves.
6. After an hour, the chamber is gradually depressurised and you can take off your mask – it can feel a little cooler during this time
7. Once the chamber is back to surface pressure, the door is opened and you can go about your day

Long Covid

If you are struggling with Long Covid, oxygen therapy may help with energy levels and cognition. You will need your doctor’s permission before starting treatment. We are unable to offer you an appointment if have Long Covid AND any of the conditions listed here. 

Cost

For people without MS, the cost is £35 a session. This is payable on the day of your session.

There is also a £25 refundable deposit on your first visit for the ongoing use of a mask. If you prefer to purchase your own, the cost is £85.