Long COVID is a chronic health condition that develops after becoming infected with COVID-19. Unlike the infection itself, which tends to pass within a few weeks, patients with Long COVID can suffer prolonged mental and physical health issues that persist for months or even years. The most common Long COVID symptoms include chronic fatigue, brain fog or memory issues, respiratory issues and shortness of breath, muscle aches and joint pain, chest pain or tightness, heart palpitations, dizziness, sleep issues, and depression and mental health issues. As Long COVID is a relatively new condition, doctors are still grappling with the reasons why certain people suffer from long-term conditions associated with the virus. However, as research progresses, certain remedies are proving effective in treating ongoing symptoms. One of the most discussed treatment options for Long COVID is hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

What are the most common Long COVID symptoms?

The most common Long COVID symptoms include chronic fatigue, brain fog or memory issues, respiratory issues and shortness of breath, muscle aches and joint pain, chest pain or tightness, heart palpitations, dizziness, sleep issues, and depression and mental health issues.

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help with Long COVID?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy supports Long COVID recovery in several ways: it enhances oxygen delivery to tissues, increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and improves energy levels. These effects work together to promote cellular healing, relieve muscle pain, alleviate fatigue, and support mental clarity.

What are the main benefits of HBOT for Long COVID?

The main benefits of HBOT for Long COVID include enhanced oxygen delivery that accelerates healing and recovery, increased blood flow that supports healthy brain and muscle function, reduced inflammation that relieves chronic pain and discomfort, and improved energy levels due to increased ATP production at the cellular level.

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HBOT and Long Covid

Q: What treatments are available for Long COVID?

Because Long COVID is a relatively new condition, doctors are still working to understand why some people develop long-term symptoms. As research progresses, certain remedies are proving effective in managing these ongoing symptoms. One of the most discussed treatment options for Long COVID is hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Q: What is HBOT and how can it help Long COVID?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a revolutionary, non-invasive treatment scientifically proven to accelerate healing and recovery. It involves breathing highly concentrated oxygen in a pressurised chamber, which significantly increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry and allows oxygen to reach areas of the body that regular breathing can’t access. Although research into the relationship between HBOT and Long COVID is still ongoing, early evidence suggests it can help alleviate some of the core symptoms of Long COVID.

Q: How many HBOT sessions for Long COVID will I need?

There is still much to learn about the treatment of Long COVID symptoms using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. However, a recent study by Coventry University reported positive benefits after just 10 treatments.

Q: Do I need a referral or consultation?

You don’t need a GP referral to have an HBOT treatment at our London wellness centre. However, we recommend consulting a medical professional before undergoing treatment if you have any concerns or questions. We also offer health assessments at Re:nu, where our expert team can advise whether a medical consultation is necessary before booking a treatment.

Q: How long do the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen for Long COVID last?

As Long COVID is still a relatively new condition, it’s difficult to say exactly how long the effects of HBOT will last. Initial research suggests positive outcomes, with a study by the Tel Aviv University Medical Center documenting improvements in quality of life, sleep, pain, and psychiatric symptoms one year after final HBOT sessions. Everyone’s recovery journey is unique, but early findings suggest HBOT could be a potential game-changer in treating Long COVID symptoms.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Long COVID: How Oxygen Could Transform Your Recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world as we know it — but for many, the road to recovery didn’t end with a negative test result. Studies suggest that up to 36% of the global population has experienced Long COVID, a condition where symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and breathlessness can persist long after the initial infection.

As with any emerging condition, researchers are working hard to understand why Long COVID occurs and how best to treat the symptoms. One promising area of study is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) — a non-invasive treatment that’s showing encouraging results from patients with Long COVID.

From physical rehabilitation to cognitive support, we’ll discuss how HBOT can help Long COVID symptoms and potentially play a vital role in transforming your health journey.

Support your Long COVID recovery with HBOT at Re:nu

Book a HBOT Session

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID is a chronic health condition that develops after becoming infected with COVID-19. Unlike the infection itself, which tends to pass within a few weeks, patients with Long COVID can suffer prolonged mental and physical health issues that persist for months or even years.

The most common Long COVID symptoms include:

Chronic fatigue
Brain fog or memory issues
Respiratory issues and shortness of breath
Muscle aches and joint pain
Chest pain or tightness
Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Sleep issues
Depression and mental health issues

As Long COVID is a relatively new condition, doctors are still grappling with the reasons why certain people suffer from long-term conditions associated with the virus. However, as research progresses, certain remedies are proving effective in treating ongoing symptoms. One of the most discussed treatment options for long COVID is hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

What is HBOT and How Can It Help Long COVID?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, also known as HBOT, is a revolutionary treatment that has been scientifically proven to accelerate healing and recovery. This non-invasive therapy involves breathing highly concentrated oxygen in a pressurised chamber. This process significantly increases the amount of oxygen your blood can carry, and allows oxygen to reach areas of the body that regular breathing can’t access.

Although research into the relationship between HBOT and Long COVID is new and ongoing, there’s already significant evidence to suggest the treatment can alleviate some of the core symptoms.

So, how does hyperbaric oxygen help with Long COVID? Let’s take a look:

Enhanced Oxygen Delivery

Increased blood oxygenation allows for far greater oxygen delivery. This helps to accelerate healing and recovery at a cellular level, which can help with muscular issues, fatigue, and brain fog.

Increased Blood Flow

Not only does HBOT increase the oxygen levels in the bloodstream, but it also stimulates blood flow. These two effects go hand-in-hand to deliver a higher concentration of oxygen to areas of the body that need it most — ideal for relieving muscle pain and promoting healthy brain function.

Reduced Inflammation

Increased oxygen absorption helps significantly reduce inflammation in the body, improving the quality of life for those with chronic pain, discomfort, and other inflammatory conditions.

Improved Energy Levels

HBOT stimulates the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), providing a boost of energy at a cellular level. This helps to increase the body and mind’s overall vitality, alleviating fatigue and supporting mental clarity.

What Do Scientific Studies Say?

It’s still early days, but existing scientific studies and clinical trials have shown statistically significant improvements in the following areas:

Better cognitive function
Reduction in fatigue and tiredness
Enhanced sleep quality
Pain reduction
Improvement in overall quality of life3

Research is by no means conclusive, and many more studies need to be conducted to confirm existing findings; however, these initial studies suggest that HBOT could be a highly effective, non-invasive therapy to support medical treatment.

Side view of a woman with long, blonde hair wearing a breathing mask inside a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber

HBOT for Long COVID at Re:nu London

At Re:nu London, we use the most advanced, cutting-edge technology to deliver the best hyperbaric treatment. Our state-of-the-art AeroVita™ F85 Steel HBOT chamber delivers 95% oxygen while altering the atmospheric pressure to the equivalent of being four metres below water, all while you relax and breathe in total comfort.

Do you want to learn more about our revolutionary hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments? Book a tour or give our team a call on 020 3972 0182 to see if HBOT is right for your Long COVID recovery.

FAQS About Hyperbaric Oxygen and Long COVID

How Many HBOT Sessions for Long COVID Will I Need?

There’s still much to learn about the treatment of Long COVID symptoms using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. However, a recent study by Coventry University noted positive benefits after just 10 treatments.

Do I Need a Referral or Consultation?

You don’t need a GP referral to have a HBOT treatment at our London wellness centre. However, we recommend consulting a medical professional before undergoing treatment if you have any concerns or questions. We also offer health assessments at Re:nu, so our expert team can advise whether a medical consultation is necessary before booking a treatment.

How Long Do the Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen for Long COVID Last?

As it is still a relatively new condition, it’s difficult to say exactly how long the effects of HBOT will last when treating Long COVID. Initial research suggests positive outcomes, with a study by the Tel Aviv University Medical Center documenting improvements in quality of life, sleep, pain, and psychiatric symptoms one year after final HBOT sessions.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s recovery journey is unique, but initial research points to HBOT being a potential game-changer in treating patients suffering from Long COVID.

About the Author
Pat Viroux is a seasoned wellness expert and visionary member of the advisory board here at Re:nu Health, London. With over 20 years’ experience in the wellness industry, Pat champions scientific research and innovative therapies to provide accessible wellness solutions that inspire and transform lives.

While Re:nu treatments can support performance, recovery, and wellness, individual results may vary. Advice given is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The advice shared in this article is based on scientific evidence regarding how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) may support recovery from long COVID. It should not be considered as guidance on how to directly treat COVID. Always consult a medical professional before beginning a new treatment regime.