Did you know that there are around 19 million veterans in the United States? From the strict training, deployments, and traveling, our brave men and women who have served this nation are susceptible to experiencing pain and stress. Luckily, the Veterans Health Administration recognizes the benefits of chiropractic care for veterans. This holistic care is covered by the VA, which helps veterans receive the care and support they need to maintain their optimal health and performance. Let’s take a look at how chiropractic care can help veterans.
Why Should Veterans Receive Chiropractic Care?
Veterans that receive chiropractic care are less likely to need drugs or surgery to treat their health conditions. Since chiropractic is an effective treatment for reducing pain, this will also help reduce the need for pain-relief medications that can be unpleasant, addictive, and costly. To receive chiropractic care, veterans must receive a referral from their primary care doctor. Indeed, the VA recommends chiropractic to veterans because it is safe, effective, and more affordable than medications and invasive procedures.
Decrease Pain
Veterans that are suffering from chronic pain have other options than just pain medication and surgery. Traditional doctors typically provide temporary solutions by prescribing medications for symptoms that can be addictive and don’t treat the problem itself. Chiropractors take a different approach by identifying the source of the patient’s pain. Oftentimes, this pain is caused by a spine misalignment. Licensed chiropractors can perform gentle, safe adjustments designed to restore the spine back into proper alignment. When the spine is properly aligned, patients typically notice a reduction or even removal of their pain. Indeed, veterans can achieve better health with less pain due to their active lifestyles.
Improve Mobility
Aside from pain, veterans commonly experience less mobility. This can be a result of aching or inflamed joints. Depending on how severe the pain is, a veteran can become immobile due to their chronic pain. Chiropractic care can help improve a patient’s range of motion, so they move more easily without restriction. Aside from receiving adjustments, a chiropractor may recommend special exercises designed to help patients improve their range of motion and ability to stretch and move their body.
Decrease Stress
Veterans experience high levels of stress, as they go to war, leave family and friends behind, move frequently to new bases, and maintain intense training schedules. For those that have been in war, these veterans can also suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), which can cause chronic stress. If veterans also experience chronic pain, this can lead to anxiety or depression. A chiropractor is highly trained at reducing patients’ pain and stress, which is achieved by treating any misalignments in the body that interfere with the brain to body communications. When the brain to body communications are working properly, this can help the body heal itself. As veterans start to feel better, they will find it easier to manage their stress levels.
Decrease Headaches
Tension headaches are a common issue for veterans, which is likely due to the pain and stress they frequently experience. A chiropractic adjustment can treat a patient’s pain, which will also reduce any headaches. With regular adjustments, veterans may no longer need to reach for over-the-counter drugs that only temporarily mask pain. Indeed, chiropractors can effectively reduce or remove a patient’s headaches. In turn, veterans can live a better quality of life with less pain from headaches.
We hope this week’s article was helpful as it highlighted just some of the many reasons chiropractic care can help veterans. Our brave men and women have safer, more natural options than just addictive pain-relief medications and risky surgeries. It’s recommended to always talk with your primary doctor to determine the best options for your unique health goals. If you are ready to achieve optimal health and well-being, contact At Last Chiropractic today. We look forward to meeting you!
