Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Chronic Inflammation in Pasadena
/Inflammation is not the enemy. It is your body's built-in emergency response — a signal that something needs attention, and a call for healing to begin.
But when inflammation becomes chronic — when the alarm won't turn off — it stops being a solution and starts being the problem. Persistent inflammation is linked to joint pain, brain fog, fatigue, autoimmune flares, slow injury healing, and a long list of conditions that make daily life harder than it should be.
At HealthFit in Pasadena, we use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as a key tool to help patients address the root cause of chronic inflammation — not just mask the symptoms. Here is what the science says, and what a real treatment protocol looks like.
▶ VIDEO: Watch Dr. Jason Han explain how HBOT targets inflammation at the cellular level.
What Is Chronic Inflammation — and Why Is It So Hard to Treat?
Acute inflammation — the kind you get from a sprained ankle or a cut — is useful. Your body sends blood, nutrients, and immune cells to the site. You heal. The inflammation resolves.
Chronic inflammation is different. It is low-grade, systemic, and persistent. It may not feel like anything dramatic — just a constant undercurrent of soreness, stiffness, fatigue, or dysfunction. And because it does not announce itself loudly, it often goes unaddressed for years.
Common drivers of chronic inflammation include:
Autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease)
Repetitive overuse injuries that never fully healed
Post-surgical tissue that remains in a prolonged inflammatory state
Chronic infections or Long COVID
Metabolic dysfunction, including blood sugar dysregulation
Persistent stress and poor sleep — both of which keep inflammatory pathways active
Standard treatment often focuses on managing symptoms: anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, rest. These approaches have their place. But they do not address what is keeping the inflammation active at the cellular level. That is where HBOT offers something different.
How Does HBOT Help with Chronic Inflammation?
When you breathe concentrated oxygen in a pressurized chamber, your blood plasma carries significantly more oxygen than under normal conditions — delivering it to tissues that are oxygen-deprived, compressed, or stuck in a chronic inflammatory cycle.
Research has shown that HBOT works on inflammation through two distinct mechanisms:
Short-term effect: HBOT down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and constricts blood vessels in a controlled way, reducing swelling and calming the acute inflammatory response in affected tissue.
Long-term effect: With a complete protocol, HBOT has been shown to produce genetic-level changes — specifically, turning off the genes responsible for sustaining chronic inflammation. This is not symptom management. This is addressing the mechanism.
Additional anti-inflammatory effects of HBOT include:
Angiogenesis — formation of new blood vessels that improve circulation to chronically inflamed areas
Stem cell mobilization — HBOT stimulates the release of stem cells that support tissue repair
Immune modulation — oxygen helps normalize overactive immune responses associated with autoimmune conditions
Mitochondrial support — chronically inflamed cells often have impaired energy production; HBOT helps restore cellular function
What Conditions Related to Chronic Inflammation May Benefit from HBOT?
At HealthFit, we work with patients managing a wide range of chronic inflammatory conditions. HBOT may support those dealing with:
Rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory joint conditions
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
Long COVID and post-viral inflammatory syndrome
Chronic post-surgical inflammation (including recovery from orthopedic procedures)
Inflammatory bowel conditions (as a complementary approach)
Chronic tendon and soft tissue injuries that won't resolve
Cognitive inflammation — brain fog, memory issues linked to systemic inflammation
Important: HBOT is used at HealthFit as part of an integrated care approach — never as a replacement for your primary physician's treatment plan. We work collaboratively with your existing care team. Our protocols use language like "may support" and "has been shown to help" because results vary and we never promise outcomes.
How Many HBOT Sessions Do You Need for Chronic Inflammation?
This is the question that matters most — and the honest answer is: more than most people expect.
Chronic inflammation did not develop overnight. It has been building for months or years. A single HBOT session begins the process — but it takes a full protocol to produce the lasting cellular and genetic-level changes that make a real difference.
| Condition / Use Case | Recommended Sessions | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| General chronic inflammation / joint pain | 10–15 sessions | 3–5x per week |
| Autoimmune flares (RA, fibromyalgia) | 15–20 sessions | Daily or 5x per week |
| Post-surgical chronic inflammation | 10–20 sessions | Daily early post-op, tapering |
| Long COVID / post-viral syndrome | 20–40 sessions | 5x per week |
| Maintenance / ongoing inflammation support | 1–2 sessions per week | Ongoing as part of wellness protocol |
| Cognitive inflammation / brain fog | 20–40 sessions minimum | 5x per week for initial protocol |
The protocol is the treatment. One or two sessions may give you a window into what is possible — but the structural repair, the gene-level changes, and the lasting reduction in inflammatory markers happen when you commit to the full course. Our HBOT coordinator will map a protocol that fits your schedule and your specific condition.
What Makes HealthFit's HBOT Different in Pasadena?
HealthFit is not a standalone HBOT center. It is an integrated clinical environment where hyperbaric therapy works alongside physical therapy, chiropractic, shockwave, PEMF, and — when appropriate — physician-supervised peptide protocols.
Spacious, sit-up capable chamber — HealthFit's triangle-shaped unit allows patients to sit upright during sessions, offering more comfort and reducing claustrophobia. Sessions are relaxing — most patients read, listen to music, or rest.
Dedicated HBOT coordinator — your first call lands with someone who lives and breathes HBOT protocols, not a front desk scheduler. They build your plan from session one.
Integrated care model — HBOT is most powerful when paired with the right complementary treatments. At HealthFit, we connect the dots between your inflammation drivers and a multi-modality response.
1-on-1 clinical oversight — Dr. Jason Han, DPT, SCS monitors patient response throughout the protocol. You are never a number in a rotation.
No rushed visits — every session is 60 minutes of uninterrupted therapeutic oxygen. That is the standard, not the exception.
What You Need to Know: HBOT for Chronic Inflammation in Pasadena
Key Takeaways
Chronic inflammation is a systemic, cellular problem — HBOT addresses it at the source, not just the surface.
HBOT reduces inflammation by down-regulating inflammatory pathways and — with a full protocol — switching off the genes that sustain it.
Most chronic inflammation protocols require 10–20+ sessions. A single session starts the process; the protocol delivers lasting change.
HealthFit pairs HBOT with PT, chiropractic, and regenerative therapies for a truly integrated anti-inflammatory approach.
HealthFit's in-house HBOT coordinator will build your protocol based on your specific condition and schedule.
Sessions are 60 minutes, deeply relaxing, and held inside a spacious sit-up capable chamber in Pasadena.
Frequently Asked Questions About HBOT for Chronic Inflammation
Is HBOT safe if I have an autoimmune condition?
HBOT is generally very well tolerated and non-pharmaceutical. That said, we always recommend consulting with your rheumatologist or primary physician before starting. At HealthFit, we work collaboratively with your existing care team to ensure HBOT fits safely within your overall treatment plan.
How quickly will I notice a difference?
Some patients notice reduced soreness, improved sleep, or more mental clarity within the first 5–8 sessions. For chronic conditions with years of accumulated inflammation, meaningful change in markers and daily symptoms typically becomes noticeable after completing a 10–15 session protocol. Patience and consistency are the keys.
Can HBOT replace my anti-inflammatory medication?
No — and we would never frame it that way. HBOT is a complementary therapy designed to work alongside your current treatment plan, not replace it. Any changes to your medication should be made in consultation with your prescribing physician.
What does a session feel like?
Most patients describe HBOT sessions as deeply relaxing. You will notice a gentle pressure change in your ears during the first few minutes — similar to what you feel on an airplane descent. After that, the experience is quiet and calm. You can read, listen to music, use your phone, or simply rest. Our chamber is spacious and air-conditioned, with a walkie-talkie to reach a team member at any time.
Call us at (626) 365-1380 to discuss what fits your situation.
How is HealthFit different from other HBOT providers in the Pasadena area?
Most HBOT-only centers offer the chamber and little else. HealthFit is a fully integrated clinic where HBOT is one tool in a coordinated care plan. Dr. Jason Han's background — including his work with elite athletes at LAFC — means your protocol is built on clinical precision, not a generic session-count recommendation.
Ready to Stop Managing and Start Healing?
Chronic inflammation responds to precision — not guesswork. HealthFit's in-house HBOT coordinator is ready to build a protocol around your condition, your schedule, and your goals.
Schedule Your HBOT Consultation
Call (626) 365-1380 · 145 Vista Ave, Suite 103, Pasadena, CA 91107
About the Author
Dr. Jason Han, DPT, SCS is the founder and CEO of HealthFit Physical Therapy, Chiropractic & Wellness in Pasadena, CA. A former member of the U.S. National Taekwondo Team and former Head of Rehabilitation for the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), Dr. Jason brings elite clinical precision to patients managing chronic conditions. He is also the author of "The Martial Arts of Listening."
