Why doesn't the VA pay for alternative sources of pain management such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractor ?!


Question: Why doesn't the VA pay for alternative sources of pain management such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractor .?
and maybe even hypnotherapy.? Who would have the power to change the laws governing this type of treatment.? Health Question & Answer


Answers:
Acupuncture, Massage, and Chiropractic therapy are all proven methods of pain management, as well as other medical uses, and have been used in Eastern cultures for centuries. Acupuncture, Massage, Chiropractic Therapy and other "Alternative" medicine are meant to treat the cause of the pain as well as the symptom, whereas pharmacuetical pain medication treats mainly the symptom.The problem is that the Western medical community only approves of Pharmaceutical (drug) methods of pain management and medicine. Health Question & Answer

First they have to be proven to have true efficacy, and are safe. None of the treatments you mention fall into that category, except maybe some forms of massage for relaxation or temporary pain relief. If you want to change the laws, you first need to present proper studies showing efficacy, safety, and risk, for peer review within the medical literature. Otherwise it could be any useless or dangerous quack ripoff. These treatments haven't been able to do that as yet.Health Question & Answer

The VA is under strict guidance as to what types of treatments they will pay for.

It has nothing to do with whether or not the treatments are proven or safe. Only mainstream medicine is currently accepted.

Please educate yourselves. Alternative medicine IS effective and ther ARE scientific studies in peer-reviewed academic journals which attest to their healing properties. These are the same journals that house scientific studies on pharmaceuticals and other mainstream scientific papers.Health Question & Answer

I dont' know, but I assume it is because the VA are very good stewards of their money, and don't want to waste it on unproven things.

Perhaps you should ask the VA instead of random strangers on the internet.?Health Question & Answer

They know they are safe, It all has to do with the American Medical Association. It's all about the money not what we can do to help but how much money will we lose.

I am not going to argue this topic.Health Question & Answer

Then pharmaceutical companies would have to declare bankruptcy!!Health Question & Answer



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