Your Path to Healing

No. HBOT is a painless treatment. As the chamber pressurizes, you’ll feel a gentle fullness in your ears — similar to what you experience when an airplane descends. Our technicians will guide you through simple equalization techniques (swallowing, yawning, or gently blowing with your nose pinched) before your very first session. Once the chamber reaches treatment pressure, most patients feel completely comfortable and relaxed for the remainder of the session.

Each session is approximately 2 hours from door to door. Here’s the breakdown: you’ll change into clinic-provided cotton scrubs, enter the chamber, and the pressurization phase takes about 10 minutes. You’ll then spend roughly 90 minutes at treatment pressure — this is the main healing window where you can watch TV, nap, or listen to music. Depressurization takes another 10 minutes. Most patients tell us the time goes by much faster than they expected.

This is one of the most common concerns, and we take it seriously. Our Perry SIGMA 36 chambers are designed with patient comfort in mind — they feature clear acrylic walls so you can see the entire room around you at all times. You’re never enclosed in a dark or confined space. You also have a personal large-screen TV directly in front of you for distraction, and a two-way communication system that keeps you connected to your care team throughout. Many patients who were initially nervous tell us they felt completely at ease after their first session.

Your first visit is a consultation with our hyperbaric physician. They’ll review your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and discuss your specific condition and treatment goals. You’ll learn exactly how HBOT works, what to expect during sessions, and have all your questions answered. If you’re approved for treatment, our operations manager will call you personally to walk through your schedule, provide your Patient Passport (a handbook with everything you need to know), and make sure you feel fully prepared before your first session.

We provide fresh, 100% cotton scrubs for every session — no need to bring your own. Cotton is required because synthetic fabrics can pose a safety concern in a high-oxygen environment. Just arrive in comfortable clothing that’s easy to change out of. We have private changing areas and secure storage for your belongings.

Yes, and we actually recommend it. Have a normal meal before your appointment — low blood sugar during a session can cause lightheadedness. Stay well hydrated too. The only thing to avoid is carbonated beverages, as the gas can expand during pressurization and cause mild discomfort. Coffee and tea are fine.

We understand that life happens — appointments, illness, transportation issues. If you need to miss a session, call us as soon as you can and we’ll help you reschedule. Consistency is important for the best therapeutic outcome (your body builds on the oxygen delivered in each session), so we work hard to remove any barriers to attendance. Our team will check in with you to help get your momentum back on track.

Yes. All 14 conditions we treat at Modern Medical are OHIP-approved indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This means there are no upfront costs to you, no insurance paperwork to fill out, and no out-of-pocket expenses. Your coverage is handled directly between our clinic and OHIP. If you’re a WSIB patient, hyperbaric therapy may also be covered under your workplace injury claim — visit our WSIB page for details.

Most treatment courses are between 30 and 40 sessions, scheduled 5 days per week over 4–8 weeks. The exact number depends on your condition, its severity, and how you respond to treatment. Your hyperbaric physician will determine the right plan during your consultation and monitor your progress throughout. Some patients begin to notice improvements within the first 10–15 sessions, though the full course is important to achieve lasting results.

Each chamber has its own large-screen TV with access to streaming services — patients watch Netflix, sports, movies, or whatever they like. Many patients also choose to nap, listen to music or audiobooks, or simply rest. The chamber is climate-controlled and comfortable. Think of it as 2 hours of uninterrupted downtime in your day.

HBOT has been used in clinical medicine for over 50 years and is recognized by Health Canada and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). Our Perry SIGMA 36 chambers are Health Canada–approved medical devices operated by trained technicians with a physician on-site at all times. The most common side effect is temporary ear pressure (like on an airplane), which resolves with simple techniques. Rarely, some patients experience mild, temporary changes in vision that correct after treatment ends. Serious complications are extremely rare. Your physician will review all risks during your consultation.

Yes. HBOT does not impair your ability to drive. You can drive yourself to and from the clinic, return to work, or carry on with your normal daily activities after each session. There is no recovery period or downtime needed.

Modern Medical is located at 898 Alloy Place, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6E6. We’re in the Alloy Place industrial area with plenty of free parking right outside the clinic entrance. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible.