A Commentary on the Potential Impact of Massage Therapy on Military Veterans

Professionals in the massage therapy field strive to help clients gain pain relief. Military veterans are a small group that experiences significant pain due to service-related physical and mental disabilities. The struggle of these veterans in the United States and Canada has been a concern after decades of combat overseas and rigorous training stateside. Nearly a quarter century after the September 11 attacks, government organizations such as the medical branch of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the United States have recognized the benefits of massage therapy for veterans. The VA has gone as far as paying for massage therapy treatments at no cost to the veteran. This commentary provides a brief overview of the physical and mental disabilities faced by U.S. and Canadian military veterans, an example of the VA in the U.S. supporting veterans with massage therapy, and considerations for the future.