Understanding ATA: Why Pressure Matters in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
A clear guide to atmospheric pressure in HBOT, and how the OxyPro's 2.0 ATA rating delivers superior therapeutic outcomes.
Why does pressure matter? Why is it not enough to simply breathe more oxygen — why must that oxygen be pressurised? The answer lies in the physics of gas dissolution. Under normal atmospheric pressure, oxygen is carried almost entirely by haemoglobin in the red blood cells. But under increased pressure, oxygen dissolves directly into the blood plasma — the liquid component of blood — allowing it to reach tissues that red blood cells cannot access. More pressure. More dissolved oxygen. More healing. It is physics, applied to physiology, to accelerate recovery.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) works by exposing the body to increased atmospheric pressure while breathing elevated oxygen concentrations. The pressure — measured in atmospheres absolute (ATA) — is critical because it determines how much oxygen dissolves into the blood plasma and reaches oxygen-deprived tissues. The higher the pressure, the deeper the oxygen penetrates. The deeper the penetration, the more profound the healing.
At 1.5 ATA (soft shell), the body absorbs roughly 10-15 times more oxygen than normal — a significant increase suitable for mild wellness and recovery applications. At 2.0 ATA (hard shell), the therapeutic effect is dramatically amplified, driving oxygen even deeper into tissues, stimulating angiogenesis, and supporting more intensive healing protocols for post-surgical recovery and chronic conditions. The difference is not incremental. It is transformational. And the OxyPro range offers both.
But understanding the science is only the beginning. The application is what matters. Facilities that offer HBOT at the right pressure for the right condition deliver outcomes that clients cannot achieve anywhere else. Facilities that offer HBOT without understanding pressure deliver suboptimal results. The knowledge exists. The technology exists. The question is whether your facility will use both to deliver the best possible care — or settle for less.
FIVE REASONS WHY PRESSURE MATTERS IN HBOT:
- 1Higher ATA means more oxygen dissolved into blood plasma for deeper tissue delivery — more pressure, more penetration.
- 22.0 ATA stimulates angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels — new vessels, new vitality.
- 3Hard shell chambers at 2.0 ATA support intensive clinical rehabilitation protocols — clinical grade, clinical results.
- 4Soft shell at 1.5 ATA offers an accessible entry point for wellness facilities — accessible entry, powerful results.
- 5The OxyPro range scales from 1.5 to 2.0 ATA to match your clinical needs — scalable solutions, superior outcomes.
CTN Innovations UK supplies the full OxyPro range — from the VS1 soft shell to the VH4 four-person hard shell chamber. Our team helps you select the right model based on your facility type, client profile, and treatment objectives. Understand the pressure. Apply the science. Deliver the outcomes.
Ready to upgrade your facility?
At CTN Innovations UK, we are committed to providing the most advanced, clinically proven recovery technology to facilities across the United Kingdom. Whether you're outfitting a high-performance sports club, a luxury spa, or a corporate wellness room, our plug-and-play solutions are designed to deliver immediate results and strong commercial returns.
Contact our UK team today to discuss how CTN technology can transform your business and elevate your clients' recovery experience.
