Veterans face a variety of stress-inducing situations while deployed and many of them walk away from service still suffering from stress and anxiety, sometimes severe enough to be considered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Soldiers also encounter situations that result in injuries that cause chronic life-long pain, and musculoskeletal problems are also quite common for those who've served in the military, both in combat situations and outside of combat. Still others have developed life-threatening illnesses like mesothelioma.
While prescription medications often work in reducing both stress/anxiety and pain, doctors or therapists often suggest complementary or alternative treatments for these problems. Many of these therapies have been used literally for centuries and have their roots in the ancient medicines of other cultures. Others are more modern. Nevertheless, most of them have proven to be quite advantageous in addressing common complaints voiced by veterans, promoting a feeling of calm and balance, especially after a particularly difficult deployment.
Massage
Massage therapy is an excellent non-pharmaceutical solution for chronic pain and is also known to promote a state of relaxation. The VA also recommends massage as a complementary therapy for veterans with HIV/AIDS. Massage is proven to help reduce headaches and some preliminary studies have shown that it may also help enhance the immune system. There's even a Disabled Veterans Massage Foundation, which strives to provide free massages to vets around the country at particular veterans' events. A variety of different kinds of therapeutic massages are available and an experienced, licensed massage therapist can recommend the type that will best address a particular concern.
Acupuncture
An ancient Chinese form of healing medicine, acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to prevent, diagnose, and treat a variety of diseases. Acupuncture involves placing long, thin needles at certain points on the body in hopes of causing a change in physical function. It has been used for several decades to help reduce pain suffered by cancer patients and can certainly address other kinds of pain as well. The FDA recognizes acupuncture needles as a "medical device" and clinical trials continue in hopes of discovering whether the therapy is effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and other issues suffered by veterans, especially those who are struggling after stressful combat or with PTSD.
Yoga
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recommends yoga for those suffering from HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, stress, and simply as a way to maintain a healthy, balanced life. Recently, veterans who took part in an 8-week yoga program in San Diego also reported "a significant reduction in pain." The participants had all reported chronic back pain for at least 6 months prior to the start of their yoga classes. Many of the participants also indicated the need for less pain medication after participating in yoga exercises. Yoga has also been used to treat vets with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Meditation
Basically, meditation prompts relaxation, therefore reducing stress. Meditation is taught by a practitioner well-educated in the field and generally involves deep breathing and focus on the mind-body connection. One of the biggest advantages of meditation is that once it is learned, veterans can call on it anytime they'd like, even without the practitioner present, making it a very cost-effective therapy. Meditation can also be done just about anywhere a stressful situation arises. Many who learn to meditate note that anti-anxiety medication eventually becomes unnecessary.
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