The men and women of our nation’s Armed Forces make huge sacrifices in service to our country, including sacrifices to their health. This Veterans Day, Austin Chiropractor Dr. Daniel Gonzalez, would like to thank veterans for their service by providing free care during the month of November.
Members of the military serve in austere conditions and routinely wear gear weighing up to 80 pounds. A February 2010 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) report cites “diseases of Musculoskeletal System/Connective System,” such as back pain, as the No. 1 ailment of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans accessing VA treatment. Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) are experts in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems and their natural approach can not only improve disability and pain, but can eliminate or reduce the need for drugs and surgery in some cases.
Chiropractic’s non-drug approach is particularly important today in light of headlines about the rampant overuse and abuse of prescription opioid medications among troops. According to VA officials, more than 600,000 veterans use opioid painkillers, and experts say they often contribute to job loss, family strife, homelessness and suicide, as well as weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. Also a recent study, (Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, Dec. 2014) showed that veterans under spinal manipulative therapy had significant improvement in disability in addition to a reduction in pain over a 12 week period. The U.S. military is now investigating chiropractic services and other conservative treatment strategies to mitigate the alarming rate of opioid abuse and addiction among troops. Early results of that research (Goertz, Spine 2013) show that combining chiropractic manipulative treatment with medical care provides significant improvement in lessening pain and enhancing soldier readiness.
Dr. Daniel Gonzalez is honored to serve all Veterans in the Austin area. To ensure that America’s veterans have access to chiropractic services, Dr. Gonzalez is offering all Veterans free care in his office during the month of November. For more information or to schedule your appointment please call Family Health Chiropractic at 512-347-8881.
