Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1344" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-House-min.jpg" alt="Hybo2 house winchester hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic" class="wp-image-32414" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-House-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-House-min-800x717.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-House-min-1000x896.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-House-min-768x688.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-House-min-586x525.jpg 586w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Tucked away in one of central Winchester’s lovely streets&nbsp;I spot the discreet sign signposting <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/hybo2-house-clinic-winchester/">HybO2 House</a>. Opened in 2021, the specialist clinic administers an increasingly popular therapy associated with all kinds of wellbeing benefits, from reducing muscle fatigue to anti-aging by boosting collagen.</p>



<p>Maurice, the clinic manager welcomes me in. Straight away, I&#8217;m set at ease by the stylish plants and furnishings (no hard plastic seats in sight). So far, so good. </p>



<p>Admittedly I’m a little nervous about what the therapy will entail. But as a 53-year-old woman who juggles a busy life with kids, running a house, a busy husband and the menopause I’m very open to anything that could help give my health and general wellbeing. Let’s do this.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science">THE SCIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HYBO2-Robyn-1-min.jpg" alt="HybO2 House Winchester Muddy Stilettos Robyn beside chamber" class="wp-image-32407" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HYBO2-Robyn-1-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HYBO2-Robyn-1-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HYBO2-Robyn-1-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HYBO2-Robyn-1-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HYBO2-Robyn-1-min-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Hyperbaric oxygen therapy&nbsp;was originally developed to treat divers with ‘the bends.’ In a nutshell, it involves breathing up to 95 per cent pure oxygen in a high-pressure chamber. The act of breathing in the near-pure oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure triggers the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox (try saying that after a couple of gins), which in turn unlocks myriad potential benefits for the body.</p>



<p>Before this, I have to confess that the whole idea of hyperbaric oxygen therapy&nbsp; was totally alien to me as I knew nothing about it at all scientifically. But I have heard about the collagen and ageing benefits, including a recent clinical trial which showed user&#8217;s collagen fibres (which keep our skin plump) increased in density. Which, of course, can only be a good thing.</p>



<p>What’s important to understand it that the oxygen&nbsp;itself isn’t medicine. Rather, it&#8217;s the process of hyper-oxygenating the body that has shown to have the effect of helping it to heal conditions at a much greater rate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT HAPPENS IN THE TREATMENT?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-2-min.jpg" alt="HybO2 House Winchester Muddy Stilettos Robyn putting on mask for hyperbaric oxygen therapy" class="wp-image-32408" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-2-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-2-min-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-2-min-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-2-min-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-2-min-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-2-min-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Before we start Stephen, the operations manager, takes me through a thorough consultation, making me feel greatly at ease with his obvious knowledge and expertise of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.</p>



<p>After the consultation, I&#8217;m fitted with my mask and climb into the mono horizontal chamber. Stephen pressurises it and and my session starts. It&#8217;s 70 minutes in total, of which 60 is at pressure. Then there&#8217;s approximately five minutes to compress and five to decompress.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-3-min.jpg" alt="HybO2 House Winchester Muddy Stilettos Robyn in chamber" class="wp-image-32409" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-3-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-3-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-3-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-3-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/HybO2-Robyn-3-min-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Inside, I get access to the internal control system and have an iPad that&#8217;s fully-loaded with content apps. To help me wind down, I chose to listen to my phone and catch up with a podcast. In hindsight, I should have put my headphones on (ear buds are not allowed). It was a bit noisy with the air conditioning and the oxygen being pumped in and out. Next time.</p>



<p>Being in a small space with the &#8216;door&#8217; shut was hugely out of my comfort zone and it took me a while to totally relax. Once I did and zoned out it was actually pretty enjoyable. (How often do you get time for a mid-morning lie-down? Never, in my case!). In fact it proved so relaxing, I must confess I did drift off. Helped, no doubt by the blanket which stopped it feeling chilly in there.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE RESULTS&nbsp;</h2>



<p>My immediate feeling is one of thirst (be sure to drink plenty of water straight afterwards as you do get very dehydrated), mixed with what I can best describe as a euphoric &#8216;buzz.&#8217;</p>



<p>After feeling super-sleepy at just 8.30pm that evening, I had a brilliant night’s sleep which was amazing as at the moment, my sleep hasn’t been as good as it should have been. Next day I feel super awake and definitely have more energy in the morning. My mind feels clearer and (while it’s too soon for any wrinkle miracles), my skin feels very nourished. I’ll definitely be back for more sessions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>Around £108 per salon session (based on a block of ten).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>After just one session I have the best night’s sleep in ages – a tonic in itself. Regular users say it helps with everything from boosting fitness to a noticeable decrease in wrinkles.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Anyone who’s especially claustrophobic. The clinic always carries out a thorough consultation and will advise on specific health problems like ear trouble which might mean the therapy won’t be suitable.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://hybo2.com/hybo2-house/">HybO2 House,</a> 10a St Clement Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9HH. Tel. 01962 862111, email. <a href="mailto:reception@hybo2.com">reception@hybo2.com</a>.</em></p>


Review: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

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