By: Valentine Munoz-Sanchez, PT, DPT
Acknowledgement: To the Veterans or friends/family of Veterans reading this blog, THANK YOU for your service!
When veterans transition from active duty to civilian life, their challenges aren’t just about finding a new career or adjusting to a new lifestyle. For many, a significant physical and emotional toll is carried over from years of service. Physical/occupational therapists are on the front lines of helping veterans make that shift, addressing not just physical pain but also the emotional weight of complex injuries. Here’s a look into how physical therapy supports veterans from the experiences of therapists specializing in this important work.
Common Physical Challenges Veterans Face
Imagine a veteran with back pain stemming from years of wearing heavy equipment or someone who has developed chronic knee issues as a result of standard military conditioning. These challenges aren’t just uncomfortable—they make daily life tough.
Veterans come with a unique set of challenges from their military careers. Their bodies endure intense physical demands, often resulting in chronic pain, joint disorders, and conditions like traumatic brain injury (TBI). Physical therapy focuses on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and helping veterans get back to moving and feeling better.
The Mind Heals with the Body
One of the biggest surprises for people unfamiliar with physical therapy is how much the therapy addresses emotional recovery, too. Physical injuries can often amplify feelings of frustration, sadness, anxiety, and even anger. For veterans dealing with stress disorders or chronic pain, those feelings can be even more intense. Physical therapy doesn’t replace mental health care, but it does play a crucial role in helping veterans feel grounded and empowered.
Veterans dealing with TBI or PTSD benefit from routines and exercises that emphasize stability and predictability. Having a regular PT schedule gives them consistency, and each session becomes a small step toward building both physical and mental resilience.
Adapting Treatment Plans for Veterans
Veterans may deal with multiple layers of injury, which means their treatment plans need to be longer and often more complex than some may expect. Therapists often adapt their treatment approaches to address both obvious and less apparent injuries, like PTSD, TBI, or chronic pain, in a way that respects each veteran’s pace and comfort level.
Physical therapists create a supportive environment for patients with PTSD by making thoughtful adjustments to their therapy sessions. This can include allowing space for veterans and their service dogs to have room to move comfortably, softening the music to be mindful of potential triggers, scheduling appointments during less busy times to reduce anxiety, and maintaining open communication about what patients can expect during their sessions. Additionally, therapists can be mindful of non-verbal cues and allow patients to express their needs throughout the process. By implementing these accommodations, physical therapists can help patients feel more comfortable and at ease, ultimately facilitating a more effective healing experience.
Therapists often emphasize patience, taking a slower pace and adjusting exercises to avoid any setbacks in recovery. At the same time, it’s crucial for physical therapists to educate veterans about pain. Many veterans are taught to work through pain and ignore their body’s cues. In the clinic, therapists help them understand the difference between “good” pain and “bad” pain and guide them in listening to their bodies. The goal is to meet veterans where they are, ensuring their therapy feels manageable and empowering.
Advice for Veterans Considering Physical Therapy
So, if you’re a veteran (or know one) who’s could benefit from starting PT, here’s some advice directly from those who work closely with veterans. First, know that physical therapy is more than just exercises; it’s a partnership. Therapists are there to listen and adjust, based on what you need. Physical and occupational therapists have specialized areas they excel in, so no matter the challenges the veteran is going through, we are able to direct them to a therapist with the perfect skill set. They understand that some days might be harder than others and are ready to adapt the plan to accommodate your current needs and comfort level.
Another piece of advice: Don’t wait to seek out PT. Often, veterans put off care because they’re used to pushing through pain or ignoring injuries. Early intervention can be a game-changer! The longer you wait to address the pain the more complicated it can be to resolve it. PT not only addresses physical pain but also helps build routines and resilience that make the transition to civilian life a little smoother.
Lastly, advocate for yourself! The Veterans Affairs (VA) department, which provides healthcare and support for former service members, often approves a set number of physical therapy visits for veterans. Once these visits are used up, veterans may need to return to their VA doctor to request more sessions. By planning follow-up appointments early, veterans can help maintain consistency, ensure a smoother process, avoid interruptions in their care, and get back to moving and feeling better without unnecessary delays.
Looking Ahead
For veterans, the transition from service to civilian life is complex, filled with physical and emotional hurdles. Physical therapy offers a safe, structured space to address those challenges with people who truly care about the journey to recovery. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, TBI, or even the mental strains of military life, physical therapy and occupational therapy can help you regain control, build confidence, and ultimately, find comfort in your body again.
Schedule an appointment today to work with Valentine at Spooner Phoenix!