Healing hidden wounds: Kentucky veterans find hope in hyperbaric oxygen therapy

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — For thousands of veterans, the wounds of war aren’t always visible. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can linger for years, long after the uniform comes off.

But a specialized treatment is helping veterans heal, starting with the brain.

It’s called hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Inside a pressurized chamber, patients breathe in 100% oxygen.

“What oxygen will do is force new blood vessels to grow in the direction of where these injuries are,” said Bob Thacker, hyperbaric safety director. “And that begins the healing process.”

Each session lasts about an hour, five days a week. Most patients go through 40 to 80 sessions, but for many, the results are worth the time.

For retired Staff Sgt. Kyle Lankford, HBOT was life-changing.

“I was able to get physical therapy for my back. I was able to walk again after being in a wheelchair,” Lankford said. “But for the TBI, they told me, ‘This is your new normal.'”

Lankford suffered a brain injury in Iraq after an IED blast. He tried medications. He followed every recommendation from the VA. Nothing worked—until HBOT.

“I didn’t really notice anything the first week,” he said. “But the second week… I noticed I was sleeping better. It had been years since I had woken up and felt refreshed. I battled depression for many years. After completing all my dives, I have zero depression.”

He’s not alone.

Across the country, more veterans are sharing similar stories of hope and healing.

“It’s amazing to think that just lying in this chamber where you breathe pure oxygen under pressure can help your body repair itself,” said Medal of Honor recipient Sam L. Davis.

“I’m here for two reasons—because God is good and because hyperbaric oxygen therapy works,” Capt. Matt Smothermon, a veteran, added.

But for every veteran who finds healing, many more are still struggling—often in silence. Suicide rates among veterans remain alarmingly high. Research shows many of those deaths are tied to untreated brain injuries.

That’s why advocates say access to HBOT is more important than ever.

“By the 5th treatment, their headaches are generally under control. By the 10th treatment, they can sleep through the night,” said Dr. Bill Duncan with the International Hyperbaric Medical Foundation. “There’s a 39% reduction in post-concussive syndrome and a 30% reduction in PTSD—the largest reduction in PTSD ever published.”

The treatment isn’t covered by the VA yet—but in Kentucky, it is available for free through June 2026, thanks to a $1.5 million state grant.

“Worst-case scenario is it doesn’t work,” Thacker said. “Best case—it does. So if you can get into a program like this, why not give it a try?”

If you’re a veteran or know someone who may qualify, visit HBOT4KYVets.com to learn more.