For thousands of veterans, the wounds of war don’t always show on the surface. While physical injuries are often visible and addressed, many veterans carry invisible injuries—traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—that can persist for years, long after their military service ends.
But now, a specialized therapy is helping to change that narrative. Across Kentucky, veterans are finding renewed hope through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)—a treatment designed to heal the brain from the inside out.
What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which stimulates the body’s natural healing process. According to Bob Thacker, Hyperbaric Safety Director, “What oxygen will do is force new blood vessels to grow in the direction of where these injuries are. And that begins the healing process.”
Each session typically lasts about an hour and takes place five days a week. Most veterans undergo 40 to 80 sessions to experience full benefits—and for many, the results are worth the commitment.
A Life-Changing Experience
Retired Staff Sgt. Kyle Lankford knows firsthand how powerful HBOT can be. After surviving an IED blast in Iraq, Lankford was told his traumatic brain injury would be permanent. “They told me, ‘This is your new normal,’” he recalled.
Despite trying medications and following every recommendation from the VA, nothing worked—until HBOT.
“I didn’t really notice anything the first week,” Lankford said. “But the second week… I noticed I was sleeping better. It had been years since I had woken up and felt refreshed.”
After completing his treatment, he says the changes were dramatic:
“I battled depression for many years. After completing all my dives, I have zero depression.”
The Growing Reach of HBOT
Veterans across the country are beginning to share similar stories of transformation. Medal of Honor recipient Sam L. Davis said, “It’s amazing to think that just lying in this chamber where you breathe pure oxygen under pressure can help your body repair itself.”
Capt. Matt Smothermon, another veteran, added:
“I’m here for two reasons—because God is good and because hyperbaric oxygen therapy works.”
But for every success story, there are many more veterans still suffering—often in silence. Suicide rates among veterans remain dangerously high, with many of those deaths linked to untreated or undiagnosed brain injuries.
The Science Behind the Therapy
According to Dr. Bill Duncan of the International Hyperbaric Medical Foundation, the outcomes are compelling:
- By the 5th treatment, many veterans report a significant reduction in headaches
- By the 10th treatment, they’re able to sleep through the night
- 39% reduction in post-concussive syndrome
- 30% reduction in PTSD symptoms—the largest reduction ever published
Expanding Access in Kentucky
Despite its promising outcomes, HBOT is not yet covered by the VA. However, thanks to a $1.5 million state grant, veterans in Kentucky can access this therapy for free through June 2026.
Thacker offers this simple perspective:
“Worst-case scenario is it doesn’t work. Best case—it does. So if you can get into a program like this, why not give it a try?”
Moving Forward
As awareness continues to grow, so does the call to make HBOT more accessible to veterans nationwide. For those who have tried everything else, this therapy represents more than just hope—it offers healing.
For veterans like Kyle Lankford and many others, HBOT has helped restore what once seemed lost: restful sleep, mental clarity, emotional stability, and a renewed sense of life.
If you or a loved one is a veteran struggling with TBI or PTSD, learn more about HBOT programs available in your area. It could be the first step toward healing the hidden wounds of war.