Long Covid and Medical Hyperbaric Therapy: Why HBOT Is Helping Patients Recover

The Covid-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on millions of people around the world. While many recover from the initial infection, a significant number continue to struggle with lingering health issues, often referred to as Long Covid or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). These symptoms can persist for months - or even years - affecting quality of life and daily function.

At CNS Center, we have seen firsthand how medical hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can provide real relief for Long Covid patients. By using medical-grade hyperbaric chambers - the only ones of their kind in Chicago - we’ve helped individuals regain clarity, energy, and health after months of debilitating symptoms.

What Is Long Covid?

Long Covid refers to a wide range of symptoms that continue or develop after the acute phase of Covid-19. While the exact causes are still under investigation, researchers believe it stems from a combination of chronic inflammation, oxygen deprivation in tissues, and immune system dysregulation.

Common Long Covid symptoms include:

• Persistent fatigue or exhaustion
  
  
• Shortness of breath and reduced lung function
  
  
• Brain fog, memory issues, and difficulty concentrating
  
  
• Dizziness or headaches
  
  
• Sleep disturbances
  
  
• Chest pain or palpitations
  
  
• Joint and muscle pain
  
  

For many, these symptoms do not respond to conventional treatments alone. That’s where medical hyperbaric therapy comes in.

How HBOT Helps With Long Covid

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This process significantly increases the amount of oxygen delivered to tissues, boosting the body’s natural healing processes.

Studies are ongoing and show promising results.

For patients with Long Covid, HBOT has shown measurable benefits in several ways:

1. Restoring Oxygen to Damaged Tissues

Covid-19 often affects lung function, leaving tissues oxygen-starved even after recovery from the acute infection. HBOT bypasses lung limitations by dissolving oxygen directly into the blood plasma, delivering it efficiently to every cell in the body.

2. Reducing Chronic Inflammation

Long Covid symptoms are closely tied to lingering inflammation. HBOT helps regulate the immune response by lowering pro-inflammatory markers and supporting anti-inflammatory pathways. This reduces the cycle of ongoing damage.

3. Supporting Brain Health

Neurological symptoms like brain fog and memory problems are among the most frustrating aspects of Long Covid. HBOT improves cerebral blood flow, reduces neuroinflammation, and enhances mitochondrial health in neurons, supporting mental clarity and focus.

4. Promoting Cellular Repair and Energy

HBOT stimulates stem cell release and improves mitochondrial efficiency, giving the body the tools it needs for tissue repair. Patients often report higher energy levels and faster recovery after multiple sessions.

At CNS Center, dozens of our Long Covid patients have reported improvement in fatigue, brain fog, and sleep after completing a series of medical HBOT treatments.

Medical-Grade HBOT vs. Wellness or Mild Chambers

One of the most important things patients should know is that not all hyperbaric chambers are the same. The effectiveness of HBOT depends heavily on whether you are treated in a medical-grade chamber or a lower-pressure “wellness” chamber.

Medical-Grade Hyperbaric Chambers (like CNS Center’s):

• Reach therapeutic pressures up to 3.0 ATA
  
  
• Deliver 100% oxygen under pressure
  
  
• Are physician-supervised and FDA-recognized for medical treatment
  
  
• Backed by decades of clinical research for neurological and systemic conditions
  
  

Wellness or Portable Chambers:

• Typically reach only 1.3 ATA or less
  
  
• Often provide just room air or mildly enriched oxygen
  
  
• Commonly found in gyms, spas, or wellness centers
  
  
• Not sufficient to treat Long Covid, neurological disease, or complex medical issues
  
  

The difference in outcomes is clear: patients in wellness chambers may experience relaxation, but only medical-grade HBOT provides the therapeutic oxygen delivery necessary to reduce inflammation, restore oxygenation, and promote neurological recovery.

At CNS Center, we are proud to be the only facility in Chicago offering true medical-grade HBOT chambers.

Real Patient Experiences With Long Covid and HBOT

While research continues, our clinical experience at CNS Center has been encouraging. We’ve treated dozens of Long Covid patients, and many share similar improvements after a full series of medical HBOT sessions:

• Fatigue relief – patients regain energy and no longer feel drained by small activities.
  
  
• Clearer thinking – brain fog lifts, memory sharpens, and concentration improves.
  
  
• Better sleep – many report falling asleep more easily and waking up refreshed.
  
  
• Less shortness of breath – improved oxygenation leads to better lung and cardiovascular function.
  
  
• Reduced pain – joint and muscle discomfort often improves as inflammation decreases.
  
  

One patient shared that before HBOT, even walking up a flight of stairs left her breathless. After completing her treatment series at CNS Center, she was able to return to work and resume daily activities with far greater ease.

Why CNS Center Is Different

Choosing the right HBOT provider is critical—especially for Long Covid recovery. At CNS Center, patients benefit from:

• The only medical-grade hyperbaric chambers in Chicago
  
  
• Board-certified neurologist leadership with over 20 years of expertise
  
  
• Pressures up to 3.0 ATA with 100% oxygen under supervision
  
  
• Integration with neurological and brain health programs
  
  
• Seven-day-a-week availability for patient convenience
  
  
• Proven success in helping dozens of Long Covid patients recover
  
  

Unlike wellness centers, our treatments are always medically guided, ensuring the highest level of safety and effectiveness.

The Future of Long Covid Care With HBOT

Long Covid continues to challenge patients and physicians alike, but treatments like medical HBOT are providing new hope. By targeting inflammation, restoring oxygen balance, and supporting brain recovery, HBOT addresses many of the underlying drivers of post-Covid symptoms.

At CNS Center, we are committed to staying at the forefront of neurological care—and that includes offering HBOT treatment Chicago patients can trust for Long Covid and beyond.

Take the Next Step

If you or someone you love is struggling with the effects of Long Covid, don’t settle for wellness chambers or unproven therapies. The difference between a mild chamber and a medical-grade HBOT chamber can mean the difference between temporary relief and true recovery.

Contact CNS Center today to schedule your consultation and discover how medical hyperbaric therapy can help you overcome Long Covid symptoms.