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A majority of veterans and active duty military members suffer from a variety of musculoskeletal injuries or conditions as a result of their services. Similarly, many of these individuals are affected by emotional disorders, such as post-traumatic stress. Many are in great need of medical services but currently, a diverse amount of organizations and institutions located around the nation have started providing medical benefits for these valuable individuals.
Cheri Bustos, U.S. Representative, D-Moline, toured Healing
Heroes in the Heartland, a nonprofit organization which implements alternative
medical treatment and care to active duty military members and veterans.
During the visit, Rep. Bustos joined several HHH volunteers
and Ernest Ledtje, a veteran who was being treated by the organization at the
time. Healing Heroes in the Heartland provides free chiropractic, acupuncture,
reflexology, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, massage therapy, life
coaching and group and art therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
through holistic care.
Dr. Angel Hong refers to holistic care as treatment for the
whole person by taking into account the mental and social factors rather then
only the physical symptoms of an injury or condition. “I go with the three T’s:
trauma, toxin and thoughts,” Dr. Hong stated. “All three of them have to be
treated together.” Furthermore, she explained that on occasion, symptoms could
be caused by an unexpected element, such as lack of sleep resulting from poor
nutrition or too much emotion. According to Dr. Hong, research has indicated
that Chinese medicine as well as alternative healthcare, can greatly ease
symptoms of PTSD.
Healing Heroes in the Heartland event coordinator, Karen
Buchanan mentioned that in a prior year, the organization had administered
about 585 treatments and 293 hours of acupuncture and reflexology.
Approximately $33,000 in services were provided free of charge.
Mr. Ernest Ledtje, spoke in regards to the various
treatments he had received at HHH which helped improve his back pain and
breathing complications. After being recommended to assist the facility by
another veteran, Mr. Ledtje experienced many great benefits from the
organization’s holistic treatment procedures. “I’m not eating pain meds like
candy anymore, and I’ve cut my breathing meds in half,” he quoted.
At the closure of the visit, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos stated, “I’ve
never had a greater appreciation for veterans than I do now because hardly a
month goes by in Congress where we are not voting on something that impacts our
veterans. I just have a great appreciation for people who’ve served our country
and they deserve to know we’re looking out for their best interests.”
Healing Heroes in the Heartland is a small institution located
in Rock Island, IL but similar programs and institutions can be found locally
to assist veterans and active duty service members. As a result of Public Law
107-135, chiropractic treatment is guaranteed for all eligible Veterans Affairs
patients and it’s been included in the Medical Benefits Package since 2004.
Furthermore, the VA can also refer an individual to a private chiropractic
clinic, if the services are not available on site, through its fee-basis, where
a primary care provider can approve to cover an individual’s bill for the
chiropractic services they received.
The Patriot Project was also established to provide free
chiropractic treatment for veterans with service associated disabilities,
active duty service members, and Gold Star dependents. Currently, over 500
chiropractors across all 50 states are participating in the Patriot Project.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
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