Clinical 60-Session Intensive Study

A High-Pressure Oxygen Study for Serious Patients

NHMI’s 60-session study is a physician-designed, near-daily hyperbaric protocol in hard-shell chambers using 100% medical-grade oxygen—built for patients who want measurable neurological and systemic change, not spa-style “wellness” dives.

Limited enrollment. Typical commitment is five treatment days per week over approximately twelve weeks.

The Study Design

Inside the 60-Session Protocol

"At the National Hyperbaric Medicine Institute, we treat the 60-session protocol as a high-level medical study—not a casual drop-in service."

The study is structured around near-daily exposure to 100% medical-grade oxygen in hard-shell chambers, five days per week, over approximately twelve weeks. This cadence is designed to support angiogenesis, epigenetic signaling, and tissue remodeling that simply do not emerge with occasional, one-off “drop-in” sessions.

Physician-Led Study

Comprehensive screening, clearly defined inclusion criteria, and direct physician oversight on 100% of treatment dives.

Study Framework

60 total sessions in rigid, steel chambers at therapeutic pressures between 1.5 and 2.4 ATA, with pre- and post-protocol assessments.

[Clinical photography: NHMI 60-session chamber suite and monitoring station]

Hyperbaric Therapy

Simply Breathe to Heal

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a non‑invasive treatment in which a patient breathes 100% medical‑grade oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure inside a rigid, hospital‑grade chamber.

Have questions right now? Call our clinical team at (555) 201‑1600.

How Hyperbaric Therapy Works

By combining 100% oxygen with elevated pressure, HBOT dissolves oxygen directly into the plasma and other body fluids, not just red blood cells. This creates a temporary state of “hyper‑oxygenation” that can support tissue repair and resilience.

In our medical‑grade chambers, pressures typically range from 1.5 to 2.4 ATA, allowing oxygen levels in the body to increase dramatically compared to normal breathing at sea level.

These physiologic effects may support:

  • Improved blood flow and microcirculation
  • Encouragement of tissue regeneration and collagen production
  • Modulation of inflammation and inflammatory proteins
  • Enhanced function of mitochondria and cellular energy production
  • Support for immune function and the body’s ability to manage infection

Individual responses vary, and HBOT is used as an adjunctive therapy within a broader medical plan.

[Educational video placeholder: “How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works”]

What to Expect at NHMI

While each plan is tailored to the individual, most participants move through the following steps when beginning hyperbaric therapy at the National Hyperbaric Medicine Institute.

Consultation

Our medical team reviews your history, goals, and current treatments to determine whether HBOT is an appropriate option.

Plan Development

A protocol is designed around your needs, including the number of dives, pressure targets, and integration with your existing care.

Treatment

Sessions typically last around 90 minutes, during which you can rest, listen to music, or watch programming inside the chamber.

Analysis

Throughout and after the protocol, progress is reviewed using symptom scales, functional measures, and physician follow‑up.

Hyperbaric Therapy FAQs

The questions below address how HBOT feels, who it may be appropriate for, and how our 60‑session protocol compares with shorter treatment plans.

HBOT is a medical treatment in which you breathe 100% oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber. The combination of oxygen and pressure allows more oxygen to dissolve into your bloodstream and tissues than breathing air at normal room pressure.
Eligibility depends on your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals. Our team reviews all of this during the consultation and screening call to determine whether HBOT is appropriate and safe in your specific case.
For most regenerative and neurological goals, we strongly recommend our 60‑session clinical protocol, completed over approximately 12 weeks. Shorter packages and individual “hourly” sessions are available, but we generally do not see the same level of durable physiologic change outside of a full protocol.
Most patients describe a gradual pressure change in the ears—similar to takeoff or landing in an airplane—followed by a period of quiet rest inside the chamber. You can typically listen to music or relax while our team monitors you throughout the session.
HBOT is generally well tolerated when delivered in a medical setting, but not everyone is a candidate. Certain lung conditions, recent ear or sinus surgery, some chemotherapy agents, or uncontrolled seizures may make HBOT unsafe, which is why physician clearance is required.
Insurance may cover HBOT for specific FDA‑approved conditions listed on our Conditions page. For off‑label indications, treatment is typically self‑pay; our team will review expected coverage and financial options with you before you begin.
Some patients begin with a shorter series to understand how they respond, then extend into the full protocol. We are able to structure care that way, but we are transparent that our best clinical outcomes typically come from completing the full 60‑session program.

Still have questions? Call (555) 201‑1600 or for a screening call.

Conditions

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently recognizes hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for a specific set of conditions, which are generally covered by insurance. HBOT may also have benefits for other conditions not yet approved by the FDA. Many of those conditions have undergone significant research and are commonly treated with HBOT around the world. Treatment for conditions not yet approved by the FDA is generally not covered by insurance and is often not available at hospital-based hyperbaric centers.

As an independent clinical institute, NHMI is able to accommodate the needs and circumstances of patients whom our physicians believe may benefit from HBOT. In circumstances in which insurance coverage is not available, several payment options and financial assistance programs may be available. A list of FDA-approved conditions and others that have not yet gained FDA approval are outlined below.

Covered Conditions

Also referred to as on-label, these conditions have been approved by the FDA for HBOT and are generally covered by insurance.

  • Air or Gas Embolism
  • Avascular Necrosis*
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Smoke Inhalation
  • Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
  • Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis
  • Crush Injury & Other Acute Traumatic Ischemias
  • Decompression Sickness
  • Diabetic Lower Extremity Wounds
  • Failed Skin Grafts and Flaps
  • Gas Gangrene
  • Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
  • Non-Healing Wounds
  • Radiation Tissue Damage
  • Severe Acute Anemia (Bridge Therapy)*
  • Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss*
  • Thermal Burns

*Approved by the Undersea Medical Society (UHMS), not the FDA.

Non-Covered Conditions

Conditions that have not yet been approved by the FDA. In general, off-label conditions are not covered by insurance.

  • Anoxic Brain Injury
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer (Treatment Synergy)
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Chronic Pain
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS/RSD)
  • Complications of Scleroderma
  • Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Long COVID
  • Lyme Disease
  • Migraine / Headache
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Sports Injuries
  • Stroke
  • Surgery Preparation & Accelerated Recovery
  • Ulcerative Colitis

How Enrollment Works

The NHMI 60-session protocol is designed as a structured, physician-led process. The outline below describes the typical journey from first contact through post-study review.

Exact visit length, pricing, and insurance details can be refined with the clinical and billing teams, but this framework reflects how patients move through the protocol.

Patient Journey

  1. 1. Initial Inquiry & Screening Call

    Prospective participants connect with a clinical intake coordinator for a 15–30 minute call to review goals, relevant history, and whether HBOT is likely to be appropriate.

  2. 2. Clinical Intake & History

    Formal intake paperwork, prior imaging, medication lists, and lab work are collected and summarized for the physician team before the consultation.

  3. 3. Physician Consultation & Clearance

    A hyperbaric physician reviews contraindications, answers questions, and confirms whether the 60‑session protocol is medically appropriate.

  4. 4. Baseline Diagnostics

    When indicated, baseline assessments such as cognitive testing, functional questionnaires, or imaging are completed to allow for objective before‑and‑after comparison.

  5. 5. 60-Session Treatment Block

    Participants complete a structured schedule of high‑pressure oxygen sessions—typically five days per week—under continuous clinical supervision.

  6. 6. Post-Study Review

    At the conclusion of the protocol, results, symptom changes, and follow‑up options are reviewed with the physician, including recommendations for longer‑term maintenance.

Pricing & Insurance

On-Label (Insurance-Based) Care

For FDA‑approved indications, the clinic bills a patient’s insurance when possible, with co‑pays and deductibles determined by each individual plan. Pre‑authorization and documentation requirements are reviewed before treatment begins.

Off-Label / Self-Pay Programs

For conditions not yet covered by insurance, NHMI offers structured self‑pay programs, typically organized as a 60‑session protocol with transparent pricing and no surprise fees.

Financing & Assistance

Patients may be able to spread costs over time through third‑party financing or internal payment plans, and limited need‑based assistance may be available for qualifying cases.

What a Typical Session Looks Like

On treatment days, participants check in with clinical staff, complete a brief symptom and vital sign review, and are prepared for the chamber by the hyperbaric team. Once inside the chamber, pressure is gradually increased to the prescribed level and 100% oxygen is delivered for the duration of the dive.

After each session, patients are monitored as they return to baseline, review any changes with staff, and schedule the next visit in their series.

Specific timing, clothing recommendations, and medication guidelines can be added once standardized by the clinical team.

Clinical Philosophy

The National Hyperbaric Medicine Institute (NHMI) was established to bring clinical integrity to the field of regenerative oxygen therapy.

Our approach is defined by Patient Selection. We believe the 60-session protocol is a high-level intervention that requires a serious commitment. Our facility is led by board-certified physicians specializing in hyperbaric medicine, ensuring that every participant's journey is safe, monitored, and evidence-based.

Clinical Team

Medical Director

Dr. Alexandra Hayes, MD

Board‑certified in Internal Medicine with additional training in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine, overseeing clinical protocols and safety standards.

Hyperbaric Physician

Dr. Michael Lerner, DO

Hyperbaric and emergency medicine physician with experience in critical care, complex wound management, and neurologic applications of HBOT.

Clinical Operations

Jordan Patel, RN

Registered nurse responsible for daily chamber operations, patient orientation, and coordination with referring providers.

Safety & Contraindications

NHMI follows established hyperbaric safety guidelines, including comprehensive review of pulmonary history, ENT status, cardiac risk, and implanted devices before the first dive.

  • Examples of absolute contraindications may include untreated pneumothorax or certain types of chemotherapy agents in the recent past.
  • Relative contraindications—such as chronic sinus disease or poorly controlled seizure disorders—are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.
  • When appropriate, NHMI coordinates with each patient’s existing physicians to ensure HBOT is integrated safely into their broader care plan.

Final contraindication lists and clearance criteria can be refined by the medical team to align with institutional policy.

Evidence & Outcomes

A growing body of peer‑reviewed literature supports the use of HBOT for both on‑label and emerging indications, including complex wounds, radiation tissue injury, and selected neurological conditions.

  • On‑label data highlight improved healing rates in diabetic foot ulcers and enhanced recovery in radiation‑damaged tissues when HBOT is added to standard care.
  • Early‑stage and international studies suggest potential benefits for post‑concussive symptoms, cognitive performance, and inflammatory conditions when used under strict protocols.
  • NHMI plans to track outcomes using standardized symptom scales, functional tests, and pre‑/post‑assessment comparisons over time.

Specific study citations and internal outcome data can be added here as the clinic’s research and quality‑assurance programs mature.

The NHMI Integrity Standard

  • Physician oversight on 100% of treatment dives.
  • No use of non-medical grade or "soft" chambers.
  • Strict adherence to safety protocols and clinical monitoring.

NHMI commits to evidence‑informed practice, ethical patient selection, and ongoing collaboration with referring physicians and research partners.

Facility & Logistics

Florida Clinical Headquarters

Our Florida clinical headquarters provides a private, medical-grade environment for all study participants. We have intentionally moved away from the "spa" model to provide a focused, professional healing space.

Private Treatment Suites

Individual monitoring for comfort and safety during the 90-minute treatment window.

Accessibility

Dedicated parking and full ADA-compliant facility for daily participant visits.

Clinic Details

  • Address: 1200 Harbor Wellness Way, Tampa, Florida 33602
  • Phone: (555) 201-1600
  • Email: info@nhmi-institute.com
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am – 5:30pm

To discuss travel logistics or daily scheduling, call (555) 201‑1600.

Interactive map placeholder: Google Maps embed showing the Tampa clinical headquarters.

Medical District Headquarters

Protocol Enrollment

A screening call is mandatory for all applicants.

"I understand that the NHMI 60-session protocol requires a significant commitment (5 days per week for 12 weeks) and that enrollment is subject to physician approval."

Direct Contact

  • Phone: (555) 201-1600
  • Email: intake@nhmi-institute.com
  • Address: 1200 Harbor Wellness Way, Tampa, Florida 33602

Frequently Asked

  • Do my current diagnoses or medications affect whether I can safely receive HBOT?
  • How do patients who live outside the Tampa area typically structure travel and lodging for the 60‑session protocol?
  • Can your team coordinate with my primary physician or specialist regarding my treatment plan?