Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in California (HBOT); A Smarter Path to Healing
I’m Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, and over the years I’ve watched patients arrive at California Brain & Spine Center feeling defeated exhausted after a concussion that never fully resolved, fogged in by a brain injury that conventional medicine brushed off, or simply running out of answers. What I want you to know right from the start is this: your symptoms are real, your frustration is completely understandable, and there are evidence-informed tools we haven’t fully explored yet together.
One of the most remarkable of those tools is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). I’ve integrated it into our clinic because I’ve seen firsthand how flooding oxygen-starved tissues with pressurized, pure oxygen can restart processes the body had quietly given up on cellular repair, neuroplasticity, new blood vessel formation, and genuine reduction in neurological inflammation.
Quick Answer: What You Need to Know About HBOT at California Brain & Spine Center
| What is HBOT? | A non-invasive therapy where you breathe 100% pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, delivering up to 10x more oxygen to your tissues than normal air. |
| Who benefits most? | People recovering from concussion, traumatic brain injury, post-COVID neurological symptoms, chronic fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and poor cognitive function. |
| Is it safe? | Yes, when properly supervised. Minor effects like mild ear pressure are common. Serious complications are rare and prevented through strict clinical protocols. |
| How many sessions? | Most neurological protocols begin with 20 to 40 sessions. Your personalized plan is determined after a thorough evaluation with Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB. |
| What is the next step? | Schedule a comprehensive neurological evaluation at California Brain & Spine Center in Calabasas, CA. Treatment begins with assessment, not assumptions. |
Ready to Find Out If HBOT Is Right for You?
Every recovery journey is different. Before starting any oxygen therapy, Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, conducts a detailed neurological evaluation to determine whether HBOT fits your specific condition, goals, and history.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and Why Does It Matter for the Brain?
Your brain is the most oxygen-dependent organ in your body. It accounts for roughly 20% of your entire oxygen consumption, even though it makes up only about 2% of your body weight. When injury, inflammation, or poor circulation disrupts that oxygen supply, your brain’s ability to repair itself slows dramatically. Cells that are alive but barely functioning what researchers call the “ischemic penumbra” can remain in that compromised state for months or even years unless something changes the environment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is designed to change that environment. By placing you inside a pressurized chamber and having you breathe 100% medical-grade oxygen at atmospheric pressures typically between 1.5 and 2.0 ATA, HBOT dissolves significantly more oxygen directly into your blood plasma bypassing the normal hemoglobin transport system. That means oxygen reaches tissues that even healthy red blood cells struggle to penetrate.
The Physiology in Plain Language
Under normal atmospheric pressure, your blood plasma carries very little dissolved oxygen. Under HBOT conditions, that number increases dramatically by some estimates up to 10 times the baseline. This surge reaches brain tissue, spinal structures, immune cells, and areas of chronic inflammation that are typically under-oxygenated. The result is an environment where the body’s own repair mechanisms can actually function as they were designed to.
The Core Biological Mechanisms HBOT Activates
At California Brain & Spine Center, I explain HBOT to patients not as a magic bullet, but as a physiological catalyst. Here is what the research and clinical evidence currently supports:
- Tissue Re-oxygenation: Oxygen floods cells that have been hypoxic starved of adequate oxygen due to injury or inflammation. This directly supports cellular energy production (ATP synthesis) and reduces the metabolic crisis that follows brain injury.
- Anti-Inflammatory Action: HBOT has been shown to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulate the neuroinflammatory response a key factor in post-concussion syndrome and chronic brain fog.
- Angiogenesis: Regular HBOT sessions stimulate the formation of new blood vessels in areas where circulation has been compromised. This is particularly relevant for traumatic brain injury recovery and post-surgical healing.
- Stem Cell Mobilization: Research indicates that HBOT can stimulate the release of stem cells from bone marrow into circulation cells that migrate toward damaged tissue and support regeneration.
- Neuroplasticity Support: By improving the oxygen environment in the brain, HBOT may help support the neuroplastic changes needed for cognitive and functional recovery, particularly when combined with targeted rehabilitation.
- Collagen Synthesis and Wound Healing: Beyond the brain, HBOT accelerates healing in connective tissue, surgical wounds, and areas of chronic inflammation throughout the body.
It is worth noting that combining HBOT with Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) can amplify mitochondrial recovery the two therapies work synergistically on cellular energy and tissue repair in ways that neither achieves as completely alone.
“The body already knows how to heal. Sometimes it just needs the right environment to do it. That is what HBOT creates not a shortcut, but a biological opening.”
Who May Benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in California?
At California Brain & Spine Center, I work with patients across Southern California from Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, and the wider Los Angeles area who are dealing with conditions that have a strong oxygenation and neuroinflammatory component. HBOT is not a universal solution, and I will never suggest it without a thorough evaluation first. But for the right patient, it can be a genuinely meaningful part of recovery.
Conditions Where HBOT May Play a Meaningful Role
The Neurological Connection: Why Brain Injuries Respond to Oxygen Therapy
When I evaluate a patient with post-concussion syndrome or traumatic brain injury, one of the things I’m looking at is the metabolic state of the brain not just the structural injury visible on standard imaging. Many patients who say “my MRI was normal” are still suffering because the problem is metabolic and functional, not structural. The neurons are alive but not firing efficiently. The mitochondria are not producing ATP at the rate the brain needs. The neurovascular unit the delicate relationship between neurons and the blood vessels that feed them is disrupted.
This is precisely the zone where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has shown the most consistent clinical promise. Peer-reviewed research, including studies from major institutions, has demonstrated that HBOT can improve cerebral blood flow, support neurovascular coupling, reduce white matter lesions in some patients, and improve scores on validated cognitive assessments after concussion and mild TBI.
Why Standard Medicine Sometimes Misses This
Conventional neurology often focuses on structural imaging and pharmaceutical management of symptoms. When imaging looks normal and medications don’t resolve the problem, patients are frequently told their symptoms are psychological or that they “just need time.” At California Brain & Spine Center, Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, approaches these cases differently using functional neurological evaluation to understand what the brain is actually doing, not just what it looks like on a scan.
“Healing isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it is quiet and biological a cell that starts working again, a pathway that reconnects, an energy system that reboots. That is the space HBOT works in.”
What to Expect: Inside the HBOT Chamber at California Brain & Spine Center
One of the most common things I hear from patients before their first session is: “I’m a little nervous. I don’t know what to expect.” That is completely understandable. The unknown is often more stressful than the thing itself. So let me walk you through exactly what a session looks like here.
Step-by-Step: A Typical HBOT Session in Calabasas
01 — Arrival and Check-In
You arrive at our Calabasas clinic. Our team reviews your current health status, ensures you have removed any restricted items, and answers any questions you have before you enter the chamber.
02 — Entering the Chamber
You settle comfortably inside a modern, medical-grade acrylic hyperbaric chamber. It is spacious enough to relax in, watch a video, listen to music, or simply rest. There is no claustrophobic sensation for most patients.
03 — Pressurization
The chamber slowly pressurizes to the prescribed level typically 1.5 to 2.0 ATA. You may feel mild pressure in your ears, similar to descending in an airplane. Swallowing or gentle jaw movement equalizes this quickly.
04 — The Active Session
For approximately 60 to 90 minutes, you breathe 100% oxygen under pressure. A trained technician maintains continuous visual and intercom contact throughout. Many patients find the experience deeply relaxing.
05 — Decompression
The chamber slowly returns to normal pressure. This process is gradual and comfortable. You may notice a slight temperature change as the pressure releases, which is completely normal.
06 — Post-Session
Most patients feel either relaxed and calm or noticeably alert and mentally clearer after a session. You can return to your normal activities immediately. No downtime is required.
Watch: A Calm Walkthrough of Our HBOT Chamber
Before your first appointment, this short video from our clinic gives you an honest, step-by-step look inside the chamber what pressurization feels like, how long sessions last, and what most patients experience. The goal is simple: reduce uncertainty so your first visit feels familiar and purposeful.
Safety, Candidacy, and What HBOT Cannot Do
I want to be direct with you here, because I think honest clinical communication is more valuable than marketing language. HBOT is not the right tool for every patient or every condition. A detailed evaluation is always the first step. There are also certain medical contraindications where HBOT is not appropriate, and I take those seriously.
Important Safety Note
- Untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) is an absolute contraindication for HBOT.
- Patients with certain ear or sinus conditions may require evaluation before beginning sessions.
- Active respiratory infections should be resolved before HBOT begins.
- Patients on certain medications, including some chemotherapy drugs, require careful review before proceeding.
- If you are pregnant, claustrophobic, or have a history of seizures, please discuss this openly during your evaluation.
Common Side Effects Versus Rare Risks
Common and Minor Effects
- Mild ear pressure or fullness during pressurization (resolves quickly with swallowing)
- Temporary sensation of fatigue after the first few sessions as the body adjusts
- Slight lightheadedness immediately after a session uncommon and brief
- Mild sinus discomfort if you arrive with nasal congestion
Rare but Notable Risks
- Oxygen toxicity (extremely rare at therapeutic pressures used in clinical settings)
- Barotrauma to the ears or sinuses if equalization is not properly managed
- Temporary visual changes in patients with pre-existing lens conditions, typically reversible
- All risks are minimized through proper patient screening, supervision, and clinical protocol
The HBOT Treatment Pathway at California Brain & Spine Center
At our clinic in Calabasas, HBOT is never a standalone service handed off without context. It is always embedded inside a carefully designed care pathway that begins with understanding your neurology, not just your symptoms. Here is what that pathway actually looks like from your first call to the conclusion of your program.
Initial Contact and Screening
You call (818) 649-5300 or submit a request online. Our clinical coordinator reviews your history and primary concerns to confirm that a neurological evaluation is the appropriate starting point. We never schedule HBOT sessions before this step.
Comprehensive Neurological Evaluation
Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, conducts a thorough functional neurological exam. This evaluation examines:
- Neurovascular and autonomic function
- Cognitive and vestibular performance
- Brain and brainstem integration markers
- Review of prior imaging, labs, and treatment history
Personalized HBOT Care Plan Design
Based on your evaluation findings, Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, builds a specific HBOT protocol that includes:
- Target pressure level (typically 1.5 to 2.0 ATA)
- Session duration and recommended frequency
- Total number of sessions in the initial phase (commonly 20 to 40)
- Integration with any parallel therapies such as LLLT, PEMF, or Cognitive Rehabilitation
Trial Session and Tolerance Assessment
Your first session is always treated as a supervised trial. We monitor how your body and neurological system respond to the pressure and oxygen environment before advancing the protocol. This step protects you and gives us valuable clinical data.
Active Treatment Phase
Sessions proceed according to your personalized plan, typically two to five times per week. Clinical check-ins are built into the schedule at predetermined intervals to assess functional progress, adjust the protocol if needed, and integrate findings with your parallel neurological rehabilitation work.
Outcome Review and Next-Phase Planning
At the conclusion of your initial series, Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, conducts a formal re-evaluation comparing objective neurological markers to your baseline. Together, you discuss outcomes, any remaining goals, and whether a maintenance protocol or continuation phase is appropriate for your situation.
How HBOT Integrates with Our Broader Neurological Programs
What separates California Brain & Spine Center from facilities that simply offer HBOT as an isolated service is the depth of neurological context surrounding every treatment decision. Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, built this clinic around a single idea: the brain heals better when multiple systems are supported simultaneously. HBOT is powerful on its own but it reaches its full potential when the nervous system is being trained, regulated, and nourished at the same time.
HBOT + NeuroRevive Program
Our flagship NeuroRevive Program pairs HBOT with structured cognitive and sensorimotor rehabilitation. The oxygen environment created by HBOT supports the neuroplastic changes that the rehabilitation exercises are designed to drive.
HBOT + Low-Level Laser Therapy
LLLT targets mitochondrial function through photobiomodulation. Combined with HBOT’s oxygen delivery, these two therapies create a compounding cellular energy effect that can meaningfully accelerate recovery from brain injury and chronic neurological conditions.
HBOT + Vestibular Rehabilitation
For patients with dizziness, balance dysfunction, or visual disturbances after concussion, HBOT supports the brainstem and cerebellar tissue health that Vestibular Rehabilitation training depends on. Better tissue oxygenation can improve the brain’s responsiveness to rehabilitation exercises.
HBOT + GammaCore and PEMF
Vagus nerve stimulation via GammaCore and electromagnetic field therapy via PEMF address autonomic dysregulation that often accompanies TBI and post-concussion syndrome. When used alongside HBOT, the combined effect on nervous system regulation and tissue repair can be substantial.
“The patients I see make the most meaningful progress are not the ones who get one tool applied in isolation. They are the ones whose entire nervous system is being supported, challenged, and nourished at once. HBOT is one powerful part of that picture.”
Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB
A Patient Story Worth Sharing
Names and identifying details are always changed to protect patient privacy. This story is shared with full permission and is representative of the kinds of outcomes that are possible not a guarantee of any specific result.
Marcus, 38 Software Engineer, Thousand Oaks
Marcus came to California Brain & Spine Center about fourteen months after a moderate car accident. He had been cleared by two emergency room physicians, told his imaging looked fine, and sent home. But the months that followed were quietly devastating. He could not hold a complex thought long enough to finish it. His reading comprehension had dropped to a fraction of what it once was. He was sleeping ten hours and waking exhausted. Two neurologists had told him his symptoms were likely anxiety-related.
His evaluation with Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, told a different story. Functional testing revealed significant asymmetries in cerebellar timing, suppressed smooth pursuit eye movement control, and patterns consistent with neurovascular dysfunction following TBI. He was not anxious. His brain was genuinely struggling to perform basic integrative functions.
Marcus began a combined protocol: 30 sessions of HBOT at 1.75 ATA alongside targeted Cognitive Rehabilitation and Low-Level Laser Therapy. By session twelve, he reported the first day in over a year where he felt mentally present for a full afternoon. By session twenty-five, he had returned to work full-time. At his outcome review, objective testing showed measurable improvements across every domain that had been compromised at intake.
“I had started to believe this was just who I was now. I can’t explain the relief of finding out that wasn’t true.”
Frequently Asked Questions About HBOT in California
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy FDA-approved?
HBOT holds FDA clearance for a specific list of conditions, including carbon monoxide poisoning, certain wound-healing disorders, radiation injury, and decompression sickness, among others. For neurological applications such as post-concussion syndrome and TBI, HBOT is increasingly used as an off-label but evidence-supported approach. Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, will discuss the current research and clinical rationale specific to your situation during your evaluation.
How many HBOT sessions will I need?
For neurological and brain injury-related conditions, most clinical protocols involve between 20 and 40 sessions in the initial phase. Some patients benefit from a longer series or a maintenance schedule. The exact number is determined by your evaluation findings, your response to early sessions, and your overall recovery goals not by a fixed package.
Can I combine HBOT with other treatments I am already receiving?
In most cases, yes. HBOT is designed to complement other evidence-based neurological and rehabilitation therapies. It is important that Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, has a complete picture of your current medications and treatments to ensure there are no contraindications or interactions. Transparency during your intake process is essential.
Will HBOT feel claustrophobic?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the chamber is. The chambers used at California Brain & Spine Center are modern, spacious, and transparent. You can watch a video, listen to audio, or simply rest. Patients with significant claustrophobia are identified during intake and the approach is adjusted accordingly.
How soon will I notice results from Oxygen Therapy?
This varies considerably by individual and condition. Some patients notice subtle improvements in mental clarity or energy within the first five to ten sessions. For others, the changes are gradual and most apparent when comparing objective testing at the end of the initial series. It is important to approach HBOT with realistic expectations — this is a process, not a single-session fix, and results are supported by the full clinical context around your care.
Does insurance cover HBOT for brain injury or post-concussion syndrome?
Insurance coverage for HBOT varies significantly by carrier and the specific diagnosis codes involved. Our team can assist you in understanding your coverage and what documentation may support a claim. We recommend calling our office directly at (818) 649-5300 to discuss financial considerations before your evaluation.
Is HBOT available to children with neurodevelopmental conditions?
HBOT is used in pediatric populations in some clinical contexts. At California Brain & Spine Center, Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB, evaluates pediatric candidates on a case-by-case basis, with special attention to appropriateness, safety, and how the therapy would integrate with any existing care. Please schedule a consultation to discuss your child’s specific situation.
A Final Word From Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB
I want to close this page the same way I started it honestly.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is not a cure. It is not a promise. What it is, for the right patient in the right clinical context, is a genuinely meaningful tool one that gives the body’s own repair systems a better environment to work in. I have watched it help people reclaim cognitive function they had accepted was permanently lost. I have seen it accelerate recoveries that had plateaued for months. I have also had patients for whom it was simply not the right fit, and I am just as honest about that.
What I can promise you is this: if you come to California Brain & Spine Center, you will receive a thorough evaluation, a clear and honest clinical picture, and a treatment plan that is built around your specific neurology not around a protocol template. You will never be sold a service you do not need.
If you have been struggling with the aftermath of a brain injury, the fog of a concussion that will not clear, the exhaustion of a nervous system that has been under chronic stress, or a recovery that simply stalled I would like to meet with you. Not to make promises, but to look carefully at what is actually happening and build the most intelligent path forward we can together.
Southern California deserves that kind of care. So do you.
Take the First Step Toward a Clearer Path Forward
Every HBOT program at California Brain & Spine Center begins with a comprehensive neurological evaluation by Dr. Alireza Chizari, DC, DACNB. Understanding your brain is the foundation of everything that comes next.
California Brain & Spine Center — Calabasas, CA — Serving Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, and surrounding communities