Massage Therapy for Military Veterans

Sarah Ratliff
May 25, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Feb 7

Massage therapy can make a difference for military veterans coping with chronic pain, PTSD and more.

Many veterans face a host of health concerns upon returning from service, from chronic pain related to physical injuries, to emotional and psychological issues. Massage therapists are in an excellent position to help veterans take control of their health and wellness.

PTSD

This condition comes with both physical and psychological symptoms, and can include the following:

Higher rates of musculoskeletal or cardiovascular issues
Flashbacks and nightmares
Increased feelings of detachment and isolation
Irritability and difficulty falling asleep

There is research that suggests massage therapy can help military veterans with PTSD. A 2021 case study, on a male veteran with a combat-related shoulder injury and PTSD, found that massage therapy provided meaningful benefits.

Chronic Pain

Musculoskeletal pain is common, with research showing it’s the leading cause of disability among veterans and that up to 70 percent of the veteran population is affected.

In a recent national survey of veterans' interest in and use of complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches, 44% reported using massage therapy.

Anxiety

For veterans especially, anxiety can present as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)—what’s described as a persistent and uncontrollable anxiety and worry.

A 2016 study of the effect of Swedish massage therapy on symptoms of GAD found that participants’ anxiety was significantly reduced at the start of week three, suggesting massage may be an effective acute treatment for GAD.

Depression

A recent meta-analysis considering the treatment effects of massage therapy for depression found a significant association between massage and alleviated symptoms of depression.

Insomnia

While insomnia is a common issue among the general U.S. population, this condition presents an even greater problem to veterans. A study conducted in 2017 involving primary care providers’ perspectives on veterans showed that more than half of the veterans already enrolled in VA health care centers in the Midwest demonstrated having significantly higher levels of insomnia.

Research indicates that massage therapy can improve sleep in those with lower back pain, fibromyalgia, insomnia, pain and other health conditions.

Do you suffer from chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, depression, or insomnia?