Since 1999, the U.S. has celebrated May as National Military Appreciation Month. If you know someone who’s on active duty, in the reserves, or is a veteran, thank them for their devotion to serving our country. It’s also a good time to help them know of an important non-drug healthcare benefit: access to chiropractic care.
Services delivered by doctors of chiropractic are part of the standard Veterans Administration benefits. In 2018, new legislation made chiropractic care available to veterans and military retirees who were members of the active reserve and the National Guard.
The Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2018, which classified chiropractic services as a standard healthcare benefit, also included a requirement to expand the availability of chiropractic care. Today, that care is available at more than 80 VA medical centers and hospitals. When not offered on-site at a veterans facility, chiropractic care is available through the non-VA care process or the Veterans’ Choice Program.
Most veterans already know the value of a doctor of chiropractic. Medicare and Tricare patient polls indicate veterans seeking a chiropractor’s non-pharmacological approach to spine care give satisfaction ratings nearing 90%.
In the U.S. alone, back and neck pain, joint pain, headaches other musculoskeletal complaints affect nearly 45 million people yearly. It’s estimated that nearly 40 million people see a chiropractor eary year.
If you know a military veteran who has low-back or neck pain, let them know there’s an increasing body of evidence demonstrating chiropractic care is effective. Guidelines from the American College of Physicians (ACP) and a 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) document the idea of first treating pain conservatively, including using adjustive techniques by chiropractors.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is shifting to a healthcare system focused on health and wellness, along with the appropriate medical care, according to the 2019 article The VA-Chiropractic Connection: Paving the Road to Relief.
The VA’s “whole health” emphasis includes a comprehensive look at all areas that make up our health:
This all-encompassing approach fits well with the chiropractic philosophy of care.
Veterans seeking relief from chronic pain or injuries can contact the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, which provides services to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The initial process begins online at the VA Benefits website. Also, look into the Veterans Choice Program (VCP), which allows eligible veterans to seek health care from a community provider. You can find an excellent summary of the Veterans Choice program here.
For more information about National Military Appreciation Month and a lengthy list of discounts available for military personnel and the nation’s 20 million-plus veterans, go here.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, healthcare-focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas, a vibrant, highly rated suburb of the Kansas City metro. CUKC has been a pioneer in chiropractic and health sciences for 100+ years. Our mission is to educate and develop leaders in health promotion.
CUKC can help you maximize the overall value of your education with a dual degree. Students may pursue a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology degree at CUKC, while concurrently completing the Doctor of Chiropractic program. That’s more bang for your buck, and in less time!
CUKC is also a participant in the VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program helps make private universities more affordable for U.S. military veterans by reducing or eliminating education expenses that are not covered by the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.®
Interested in a chiropractic career or the benefits of chiropractic care? Request this free ebook: Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession, today!
