Chiropractic shows promise for veterans with back pain
When people think of injuries from war, they imagine veterans with more visible injuries and disabilities. But there’s a more invisible injury of war that is often overlooked: chronic back pain.
The number of veterans with low-back pain is rising. This chronic back pain can be a debilitating barrier for veterans attempting to reestablish their lives as civilians. Fortunately, new research has confirmed the power of chiropractic in treating veterans with low-back pain.
A recent study tracked the progress of 171 veterans receiving chiropractic care in the New York area. Chiropractors in the study used various therapies to treat veterans including: adjustment, spinal mobilization, and flexion distraction. Chiropractors also instructed patients on therapeutic exercises and stretches tailored to the patient’s specific needs.
After just two chiropractic treatments, 60% of veterans improved significantly. The majority of patients experienced reduced pain, better daily functioning, decreased disability, and improvements in terms of anxiety and depression. Researchers noted that these changes were clinically significant.
With the growing occurrence of back pain among veterans, chiropractors have stepped up to successfully treat injured service members. Last year, the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations joined forces with Army OneSource to launch a national campaign called Healing Hands 4 Heroes. The campaign seeks to educate chiropractors about the specific needs of serving veterans and to help vets better connect with doctors. Chiropractic care can be a crucial component in helping vets recover from war and restore the healthy life they deserve.
Dunn, Andrew S., et al. “Retrospective case series of clinical outcomes associated with chiropractic management for veterans with low back pain.” Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development 48 (2011): 927-934.
Learn more about Healing Hands 4 Heroes at: Congress of Chiropractic State Associations. www.coscsa.org.
For many years chiropractic care was not covered under the benefits plan for veterans. In recent years Congress has opened up the care plans to include chiropractic care. As shown here this will be very beneficial to all veterans to recover from and handle the pain they are in.