Veterans often look for alternative treatment methods in their quest for an ever-improving state of well-being with chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety-related disorders, and other health conditions. Traditional medical treatments are usually being administered, and many veterans report improvement with acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, and massages. Thus, alternative therapy treatments are covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under selective conditions.
This article tells about which alternative therapies are being covered, how veterans can access them, and which procedure to pursue in order to be eligible.
Why are alternative therapies important for veterans?
Alternative therapies provide a more holistic solution, targeting the physical aspect along with the mental well-being. For many veterans, alternative treatments appear to work better when dealing with health issues.
These are a few ways that these techniques can help:
- Pain relief – Acupuncture and chiropractic care relieve chronic pain not just with medications.
- Stress relief – Yoga, meditation, and massage therapy can relieve stress and anxiety and ease PTSD symptoms.
- Holistic recovery – Many alternative therapies emphasize the relationship between mind and body and harmonious being.
Seeing the benefits to veterans, the VA in recent years has widened its door for non-traditional treatment therapies.
What alternative therapies does VA cover?
As part of an integrated care plan, there are many alternative treatments covered by the VA. A few single modalities are more common, such as:
- Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medicine involves inserting fine needles into the body at specific locations to relieve pain and stress. Acupuncture has been proven effective for pain and stress in chronic pain, headache and PTSD symptom management. The VA may cover acupuncture as part of a veteran’s global management of pain. Therefore, the best option for a veteran, in this case, is to verify their eligibility with their VA healthcare provider.
- Chiropractic treatment
Chiropractic manipulative treatment is a form of health care that relieves low back pain, neck pain, and joint pain. Some VA medical centers offer chiropractic treatment, and if it is unavailable to a veteran at their local VA, they may receive care through the VA Community Care Program.
- Yoga and meditation
They foster flexibility, mental clarity, and emotional health. A number of VA medical centers offer yoga and mindfulness training as a part of their mental health portfolio.
- Massage therapy
Massage helps one unwind, relieve muscle tension, and improve circulation. Although it may not be offered in all VA facilities, it may be provided in a complementary health program or through community care.
VA benefits options for alternative therapies
If you retain an interest in receiving alternative treatments covered under VA benefits, here is how to go about it:
1. Speak to your VA healthcare provider
Make an appointment to discuss your condition and your interest in alternative therapies. Your provider will inform you if they think these treatments may be beneficial for you.
2. Obtain a referral or authorization
In a lot of cases, alternative therapy requires authorization from your VA provider. If approved, you will either be referred to a VA facility that offers the treatment or authorized to receive care through the VA Community Care Program.
3. Make use of the VA community care program if indicated
If the therapy that you need is not available at your local VA, you may qualify to receive treatment from an approved provider outside the VA system if the following applies:
- The treatment is not available at your local VA facility.
- You live more than 40 miles from the nearest VA center that provides the service.
- The wait time for an appointment at a VA facility is unreasonable.
4. Participate in therapy
After receiving authorization, schedule and attend as many sessions as recommended. You need to be consistent to receive the benefits of alternative therapies.
5. Provide follow-up with your VA provider
Regular follow-up with your provider would help in monitoring your progress. If a treatment seems effective, your provider may extend or adjust your therapy program.
How to maximize your benefits for alternative therapies supported by the VA
Here are some tips:
- Stay open to possibilities: Although these therapies might seem unfamiliar to you, they may certainly be able to complement traditional treatment.
- Be communicative with your provider. Tell him/her your health concerns and goals.
- Write down your experiences: keep a diary of your symptoms, treatments, and any improvements.
- Check with your local VA center: Some VA centers have complementary wellness programs that include nutrition workshops and stress management classes.
- Consider combining treatments: Alternative therapies often work best together with the traditional ones such as physical therapy or medications.
