近20%的美国人患有慢性疼痛，其中包括65%的退伍军人。 What’s more, veterans are two times more likely than non-veterans to die from accidental overdoses of highly addictive painkillers, according to the 脊骨疗法进展的基础. But there is hope: Doctors of Chiropractic are uniquely poised to provide safe, effective and drug-free care, and the presence of chiropractors within Veterans Affairs facilities is growing throughout the U.S.–including right here in Logan’s backyard.

凯文·迈耶（Kevin Meyer）是华盛顿特区三学期的学生，目前正在伊利诺伊州希洛市的圣克莱尔县退伍军人诊所完成他的实习。 谈到他与退伍军人共事的经历，他说：

“Though my experiences have been limited due to the ongoing pandemic, it has been an honor to interact with and treat our nation’s veterans. 这些患者通常表现为慢性疼痛，通常与他们的服务时间有关。 这造成了一个独特的护理障碍，因为患者多年来一直认为这是他们疼痛的唯一原因。 虽然这在某些情况下是正确的，我们的退伍军人无疑应该照顾与他们的服务有关的伤害，但这对治疗他们提出了挑战，因为我们知道慢性疼痛本质上是多因素的。 由于这种长期困扰他们的痛苦，他们对生活的看法也很糟糕，这给他们的改善创造了另一个障碍。

“The VA St. Louis Health Care System is part of the Whole Health initiative, which aims to approach patient treatment through these multiple aspects of pain. 脊椎指压疗法，以及针灸、瑜伽、正念技术、太极和其他资源都属于这一倡议，旨在治疗整个病人及其疼痛原因，而不仅仅是他或她正在经历的一种症状。 作为一个综合环境，退伍军人事务部的临床医生也能够更好地协调患者的护理和转诊，以确保他们看到每个可以帮助他们解决疼痛体验特定方面的提供者。

I cannot recommend the VA rotation experience enough to upcoming students, as it helps to broaden our understanding of pain, how to treat patients with complex presentations and how we, as chiropractic physicians, fall into the ever-growing integrative system of health care.”

The 脊骨疗法进展的基础 shares additional data on chiropractic care for active-duty military and veterans: