Chiropractic Treatment Efficient for Veteran Injuries

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Veterans

Many clinicians at the VA frequently argue whether chiropractic treatment methods, such as spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, are actually effective towards improving injuries and conditions causing chronic back pain. A new research was conducted to determine the effects chiropractic care had with chronic pain symptoms. While the study concluded that spinal adjustments and manual manipulations were similarly as effective as placebo for pain relief, the study did find that individuals demonstrated an increased improvement in disability at 12 weeks after receiving consistent chiropractic treatment, according to a report published in the journal, �Geriatric Orthopedic Surgery & Rehabilitation�.

With the contribution of Paul Dougherty, DC, a staff chiropractor at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in upstate New York, the authors of the study described that the almost identical improvements between the individuals of the different study groups suggested the presence of a non-specific therapeutic effect from the treatments.

For the study, researchers classified 136 veterans, 65 years old or older, with lower back pain whom had never received chiropractic treatment. The individuals were then divided into two separate groups, with 69 of the veterans receiving spinal adjustments and manual manipulations.

Dougherty explained, �spinal manipulative therapy, or SMT, is where you take a joint to its end range. When you crack your knuckles and squeeze them together, you hear the pop. That pop is the joint changing pressure. SMT is basically doing that, taking a joint that isn�t moving enough and trying to maneuver it to where it moves normally again and changes pressure.�

The other 67 veterans participating in the study were enrolled in a procedure known as sham intervention, where a water-based ultrasound gel is spread across the lower back while the individuals lay face down, followed by the chiropractor rubbing a detuned ultrasound machine across the affected area for approximately 10 minutes. The ultrasound machine made noise but did not transmit any sound waves.

Additionally, the participating veterans from both groups were given an educational pamphlet from the Arthritis Foundation on different varieties of back pain and other symptoms.

After four weeks of twice-a-week treatment, the individuals were evaluated on the fifth week to rate their pain on a standardized scale. Both groups showed comparable pain improvement. Paul Dougherty explained that pain is perception-based, originating equally from the mind as it does from the body, but that disability is a better measure of effectiveness. Dougherty quoted, �Twice a week for four weeks, we met with these patients. We talked to them about their pain. They were touched in a caring and meaningful way. It comes down to this: If people believe they�re going to get better, it changes the way they thing about pain.�

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Holistic Treatment Available for Veterans

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Veterans

Cheri Bustos, U.S. Representative, D-Moline, toured Healing Heroes in the Heartland, a nonprofit organization which implements alternative medical treatment and care to active duty military members and veterans.

�During the visit, Rep. Bustos joined several HHH volunteers and Ernest Ledtje, a veteran who was being treated by the organization at the time. Healing Heroes in the Heartland provides free chiropractic, acupuncture, reflexology, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, massage therapy, life coaching and group and art therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through holistic care.

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Veterans May Receive Free Chiropractic Care

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Veterans

In 2002, President George Bush signed Public Law 107-135, which assures chiropractic treatment for all eligible Veterans Affairs patients. Although, many veterans are not aware this service is available to them, despite its inclusion in their Medical Benefits Package since 2004.

�Additionally, the VA is still seeking to make this service accessible to all veterans requiring care. According to the American Chiropractic Association, or ACA, only 48 of 152 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers currently offer chiropractic care for their patients.

Veterans in general have a higher chance of developing any of these conditions due to the strict nature of their military duties. The Seattle Times stated that merely walking and wearing heavy gear has caused many veterans a variety of musculoskeletal injuries. According to the article by Hal Bernton, �The number of soldiers medically retired from the Army with at least one musculoskeletal condition increased nearly 10-fold from 2003 to 2009.� These numbers were determined according to Army statistics.

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Use of Holistic Procedures to Assist Veterans

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Veterans

Healing Heroes of the Heartland held an open house at its offices at 2508 25th St., Rock Island, where many veterans and supporters assembled to discover more information about the non-profit organization. �The organization is devoted to contributing holistic services to heroes,� explained Angel Hong of Milan, doctor of chiropractic and holistic medical director. Holistic services are focused on treating an individual completely, both physically and emotionally.

�Although Healing Heroes in the Heartland inaugurated in 2013, utilizing holistic procedures to help individuals with anxiety, trauma, or pain is not a recent approach. �Three thousand years ago, people had depression,� Hong quoted.

�From individuals curious of the group�s services to supporters who�ve previously benefited from its services, more than 60 people attended the open house event, including soldiers who�ve been referred by doctors.

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Veteran’s Rights & Chiropractic Care Progress

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Veterans

In recent years, in recognition of the value and benefits of chiropractic care, Congress has passed, and the President has signed into law, legislation establishing a permanent chiropractic care benefit for both active duty military personnel and veterans. Furthermore, a doctor of chiropractic is now stationed in the U.S. Capitol to provide necessary care to members of Congress

To date, there is a doctor of chiropractic at 60 military bases around the country; however, according to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report, only 54 percent of servicemen and women eligible for chiropractic care can reasonably access the benefit. It is still necessary more is done to increase chiropractic access and availability.

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Veteran’s Rights & Chiropractic Care Benefits

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Veterans

In the past few years, in acknowledgement of the many health benefits chiropractic care provides, a permanent chiropractic care benefit was established for both active duty military personnel and veterans. Currently, there are doctors of chiropractic, or DCs, at 60 military bases around the nation, nevertheless, according to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report, solely 54 percent of men and women in active service have reasonably been recognized as eligible for accessing their benefit and receiving chiropractic treatment. Although many chiropractic services have become available to many military service personnel and veterans, it still remains a necessity to further increase chiropractic access, contribution, and availability for the individuals that most need it.

When it comes to these services though, chiropractic care is actually part of the common medical benefits package available to all veterans. As a result, Veterans Affairs should provide a proper availability of these services to veterans by having an on-site chiropractic clinic, and by sending veterans to a private chiropractor using the �fee-basis� approach, where the VA pays the bill.

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Substantial Growth of Chiropractic Care by Veterans Affairs

by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Veterans

“The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress highlights a new study which reports substantial growth in the use of chiropractic care by the U.S. Department.”

The�Foundation for Chiropractic Progress�(F4CP) notes that for more than 10 years, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has included chiropractic services as part of the standard medical benefits package offered to all enrolled veterans. According to a new study conducted by researchers from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, the use of chiropractic services and the chiropractic workforce in VA has grown substantially since their introduction over a decade ago.

�Our work shows that VA has steadily and substantially increased its use of chiropractic services each year following their implementation in late 2004,� states lead author of the study Anthony J. Lisi, DC, Director of the VA Chiropractic Program, and Chiropractic Section Chief at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. He then added, “VA continues its efforts to ensure appropriate access to chiropractic care across the whole system, but as this paper shows, the progress to date has been remarkable.�

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