Healing With Oxygen: From Brain Injury to Full Recovery

How HBOT Helped Signe Regain Her Life

At Iowa HBOT, we feel honored to witness so many powerful recovery stories. Signe’s journey is one that truly inspires us. Through hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), she has healed from traumatic brain injuries and accelerated her recovery after surgery. Along the way, she experienced remarkable improvements in both her brain and body health.

A History of Concussions and Lingering Symptoms

Signe came to us about a year ago seeking relief from multiple concussions, some from her collegiate athletic career and others later in life. These repeated injuries took a serious toll, making it hard for her to work, engage with her family, and enjoy daily life.

She had already tried many therapies (physical therapy, speech therapy, and more), but progress was slow. Medications and supplements offered little relief. Then she learned about HBOT and decided to try it.

From her very first session in our hard-sided chamber, she felt something change. “It was like a cocoon of healing,” Signe said. Over the course of 20 sessions, she experienced less inflammation, sharper mental clarity, and steady progress toward feeling like herself again.

Dramatic Improvements in Speech and Cognitive Function

One of the biggest breakthroughs came in her speech. After the concussions, Signe struggled with stuttering and slow cognitive responses, challenges her neurologist addressed with speech therapy.

Within just 4–5 HBOT sessions, her stutter improved so much that she no longer needed speech therapy. Her therapist was amazed by her rapid progress. Friends and our team noticed, too, that Signe spoke more confidently and with greater ease.

A Second Round: Healing After Surgery

Recently, Signe underwent a total hysterectomy. Understanding HBOT’s benefits, she returned for another 10 sessions to support both pre- and post-surgical healing.

The results were outstanding. She was cleared to return to work weeks earlier than expected. Even better, these sessions boosted her brain health again, building on the gains she had made during her concussion recovery.

The Cellular-Level Difference

Signe believes HBOT offered something no pill, supplement, or standard therapy could: healing at the cellular level. By delivering concentrated oxygen, HBOT stimulates tissue regeneration, boosts circulating stem cells, and reduces inflammation. This approach transforms recovery from the inside out.

“Nothing they prescribed me worked like this,” Signe said. “It was the medicine nobody else could prescribe.”

Life Today

After 30 total HBOT sessions, Signe feels like her old self again. She’s back at work, enjoying her family, and having conversations without the cognitive challenges that once made communication so difficult.

“When I first came in, I was broken,” she said. “The oxygen in the sessions I’ve done has healed that part of my brain, and it’s just the medicine that I needed.”

Signe's Advice for Others Considering HBOT

“Don’t wait. If you’ve had a concussion, surgery, or one of the many conditions HBOT can help with, don’t hesitate. This was the best part of my recovery, and I don’t know where I’d be without it.”

Watch Her Story Below

At Iowa HBOT, we see transformations like Signe’s every day. If you want to truly heal, not just mask symptoms, our team is ready to help you take the next step. Call us at 515-421-4018 to schedule your virtual or in-person complimentary consultation today. Discover more ways HBOT can support healing by visiting our blog at https://www.iowahbot.com/blog.