Published by The Huffington Post
The first veteran I ever treated in my medical office was during my first week of private practice in 1986. This affable gentleman, walking with a cane and air of confidence, had been in the trenches in World War II. He spent a few too many days and nights in a wet and cold environment; by the time he arrived home after the war, he had crippling osteoarthritis in many of the joints of his extremities, his sternum and his neck. He was compromised in his ability to get around and to partake in work and family life. But his service to his country was a profoundly meaningful one for him, and he relayed stories of his time overseas with clarity and pride so many decades later. We worked together over the course of a number of years to reduce the inflammation and pain he experienced and to improve his range of motion. He was able to discontinue his reliance on pain medication, which in turn helped his digestive system. He paid out of pocket and bemoaned the fact that the VA hospital in our city did not offer naturopathic medical services.
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