Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Kids: Healing, Recovery, and What Parents Need to Know

What if oxygen could support healing in ways most parents are never told about? In this episode of Born For This Stories, Johanna and Peter sit down with Dr. Jason Sonners, doctor of chiropractic, PhD, functional medicine provider, hyperbaric oxygen therapy researcher, and owner of HBOT USA, to talk about one of the therapies that became part of their son's post-surgical healing journey: hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This conversation breaks down hyperbaric oxygen in a way parents can actually understand. What it is, how it works, why pressure and oxygen matter, and how it may support recovery, inflammation, blood vessel growth, cellular energy, immune function, and tissue healing. Dr. Sonners also explains the difference between soft and hard chambers, how to think about home use, safety considerations for children, and what parents should ask before choosing a provider. If you are a parent navigating surgery recovery, birth defects, developmental concerns, chronic illness, brain injury, or simply wondering whether HBOT could be a helpful tool for your child, this episode offers a grounded place to start. In this episode – What hyperbaric oxygen therapy is and how it works – How HBOT may support healing, inflammation, blood flow, and cellular energy – The difference between soft chambers and hard chambers – Why treatment protocols should be individualized – Safety considerations for children, infants, and home use – What parents should ask before choosing an HBOT provider – How HBOT may be used for post-surgical recovery and pediatric healing – Why diagnosis labels do not have to define long-term outcomes Share Your Story & Find Born For This Stories If you are navigating surgery recovery, a diagnosis, developmental concerns, or searching for ways to better support your child's healing, you are not alone. Born For This Stories exists to connect families walking through medical journeys and to share conversations that help parents feel informed, supported, and less isolated. Share your story at bornforthisstories.com Follow along on Instagram @bornforthisstories Subscribe and leave a review to help more families find this community New episodes release every Monday. Wherever you are — researching, recovering, advocating, or rebuilding — you do not have to carry it alone.