Did you know there are around 19 million veterans in the United States? This group represents less than 10 percent of the total U.S. population. From the frequent training, deployments, and traveling, our brave men and women who have served this country are susceptible to experiencing pain and stress. Luckily, the Veterans Health Administration recognizes the benefits of chiropractic care for veterans. This care is covered by the VA, which helps veterans receive the care and support they need to maintain their optimal health. Keep reading to find out the top benefits of chiropractic for veterans.
Why Chiropractic Care?
Veterans that receive chiropractic care are less likely to require drugs or invasive treatments to address and treat their health conditions. Since chiropractic is an effective treatment for reducing pain, this will also help decrease the need for pain-relief medications that can be unpleasant and addictive. Veterans will need a referral from their primary care doctor to receive chiropractic care. Indeed, the VA recommends chiropractic to veterans because it is effective, safe, and more affordable than medications and surgery.
Decrease Your Pain
Veterans suffering from pain have other options that just pain medication and invasive surgeries. Traditional doctors generally 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 root cause of the patient’s pain. Oftentimes, this pain is due to a spinal misalignment. Licensed chiropractors can perform gentle, safe adjustments designed to restore the spine back into proper alignment. When the spine is properly aligned, patients generally notice a reduction or even removal of their pain. Indeed, veterans can achieve better health with less pain and discomfort due to their active lifestyles.
Improve Your Mobility
Another common concern that veterans experience is reduced mobility. This may be due to aching or inflamed joints. Depending on how severe the pain, 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 Your Stress Levels
Veterans experience high levels of stress, as they go to war, leave friends and family behind, frequently move to different military bases, and maintain intense training schedules. 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 they do by addressing 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 feel better, they will find it easier to better manage their stress levels.
Decrease Your Headaches
It’s common for veterans to experience tension headaches due to their pain and stress they 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. Thus, veterans can then live a higher quality of life without being in pain.
We hope you enjoyed this week’s article discussing the benefits of chiropractic for veterans. Our brave men and women have safer, more natural options than just harsh drugs and invasive surgeries. As always, it’s important to talk with your primary doctor to determine the best options for your health needs. If you are ready to start your journey towards achieving lasting health and wellness, contact Keystone Chiropractic in Plano, TX today.