Phillies Introduce Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Program for 2025 Season

• Philadelphia Phillies announce partnership with NexGen Hyperbaric to implement hyperbaric oxygen therapy for players starting in the 2025 season.
• The therapy delivers 100% medical-grade oxygen in pressurized chambers to accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery.
• NexGen will provide mobile treatment units allowing players to receive therapy at training facilities or during road trips.

The Philadelphia Phillies have announced a partnership with NexGen Hyperbaric that makes them the first Major League Baseball team to implement a dedicated clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) program for players. Beginning with the 2025 season, the Phillies will integrate these advanced recovery services into their standard player health protocols, reflecting the organization’s focus on innovative approaches to athlete wellness.

The partnership, announced on April 8, will give Phillies players access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment that delivers pure oxygen in a pressurized environment. This process allows players to absorb significantly more oxygen than under normal conditions, which proponents say accelerates natural healing processes.

Paul Buchheit, Head Athletic Trainer of the Phillies, emphasized the program’s importance:

“The Philadelphia Phillies Medical Services Department continuously strives to provide the highest quality care for our players to not only maintain overall health and wellness but also to enhance performance. We feel that NexGen Hyperbaric is a key partner to provide the best medical grade, hyperbaric oxygen therapy available to help promote tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery.”

Recovery Advantages

According to the announcement, HBOT offers multiple benefits for professional athletes, including enhanced tissue repair, reduced inflammation in muscles and joints, improved circulation, and faster recovery from intense training and games.

Jonathan Rotella, President and CEO of NexGen Hyperbaric, described the arrangement as going beyond mere technology:

“This partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies represents more than just innovation — it reflects a shared commitment to redefining how we support professional athletes at the highest level. We are honored to work alongside an organization that prioritizes the long-term health and wellness of its players.”

What makes this program particularly valuable for a baseball team with a demanding travel schedule?

NexGen’s mobile treatment units will allow players to receive therapy at the team’s training facilities or during road trips, providing consistent access to recovery treatments without disrupting practice or travel schedules.

The Phillies’ adoption of HBOT aligns with a growing trend across professional sports of seeking advanced recovery methods that might provide competitive advantages while supporting athletes’ long-term health.

Research has shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may accelerate healing for certain types of injuries, though its effectiveness varies depending on the specific condition being treated.

According to the FDA, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is approved for certain medical conditions, though its use in sports recovery represents an emerging application that continues to gain popularity among elite athletes.

NexGen Hyperbaric has previously established partnerships with teams in the NFL and NHL before adding the Phillies as their first MLB client. The company emphasizes that all treatments are administered under the supervision of certified hyperbaric oxygen therapy professionals.

As baseball increasingly embraces technology and medical innovation, the Phillies’ decision to incorporate HBOT into their player care protocols positions them at the forefront of performance and recovery science in Major League Baseball heading into the 2025 season.