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.