As the amount of research and awareness surrounding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) increases, so do its applications across a wide range of demographics and locations throughout America. Up until recently, one may have been surprised by the prospect of veterans using things like yoga and acupuncture to manage their pain after service has ended. However, that is precisely the case due to the many ways in which veterans can benefit physically and emotionally from practices in Eastern medicine.
Yang Institute of Integrative Medicine has partnered with the Veterans Affairs in Philadelphia to provide free acupuncture sessions to those who qualify for the Veterans Choice Program, which allows vets to receive VA-covered healthcare from non-VA facilities. The VA’s adoption of coverage for acupuncture offers vets an array of benefits, including:
Physical Pain Relief Possibly the most well-known use of acupuncture is its ability to treat persistent physical pain and discomfort. Veterans who are in the recovery process from an injury sustained during their service can use acupuncture to ease things like pain from nerve damage, which is notably difficult to treat. Additionally, the non-invasive nature of acupuncture makes it an area worth exploring for those who have tried numerous other medications and treatments with limited success.
PTSD Treatment A lesser-known benefit of acupuncture comes from its ability to reduce anxiety and emotional stress. In Chinese medicine, the concept of Qi represents the vital energy in the body which either flows freely or experiences blockages. In many cases, veterans have residual emotional discomfort from their time serving that can cause long-term mental health issues. Acupuncture helps to release blocked energy, or Qi, in the body and create a relaxed and stress-free sensation.
Effective Alternative to Pharmaceuticals One of the biggest problems facing veterans today is the overprescription of opioids and other pharmaceuticals as treatment for physical pain or PTSD. While these types of pharmacological solutions may be helpful from the outset, they often result in mental or physical dependence, making the problem even worse. Through its ability to relieve physical pain and reduce stress levels, acupuncture has shown to be an effective alternative for veterans in need.
Learn More If you are a veteran in the Greater Philadelphia Area and would like to learn more about acupuncture sessions at Yang Institute, reach out to your local VA office today. They can set up an appointment with Yang for a range of CAM therapies, such as acupuncture, TMS treatment, or neurofeedback sessions in Marlton, NJ. Call today to learn more.
