Why Massage Therapy Matters for Veterans

Military veterans often face unique health challenges after service, including chronic pain, musculoskeletal injuries, and stress-related conditions.

Traditional medical treatments, while valuable, don’t always provide full relief. That’s why more veterans are turning to massage therapy as a safe, low-cost, and effective complement to standard care.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recognized this need and now includes massage therapy within its Whole Health initiative (VA Whole Health Policy, Directive 1137). This makes massage therapy an important part of a veteran’s integrated care plan.

Proven Benefits for Pain Management

Research consistently shows that massage therapy can reduce pain and improve function in a variety of conditions. Evidence highlights benefits for chronic neck pain, low back pain, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, cancer-related pain, and post-surgical recovery.

In fact, a VA-led randomized clinical trial found that veterans receiving massage for chronic neck pain experienced meaningful improvements in both pain intensity and daily function that lasted for several months. For veterans living with daily discomfort, this is a practical, drug-free option that supports long-term quality of life.

Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being

Massage therapy doesn’t just help with physical pain, it can also support better sleep, reduced anxiety, and stress relief. These are critical factors for veterans, especially those coping with post-traumatic stress or other service-related challenges.

While massage is not a primary treatment for PTSD, many veterans report that it helps reduce symptoms that worsen PTSD, such as poor sleep and muscle tension. This makes massage a valuable adjunct to counseling, mindfulness, and other therapies. As a matter of fact, a clinical trial found significant qualitative improvements in anxiety, stress and symptoms of PTSD.

Safe and Low-Risk

Massage therapy is generally considered very safe when performed by trained professionals. Adverse events are rare, and therapists can easily adapt techniques for veterans with specific conditions such as lymphedema, active cancer, or cardiovascular concerns. Because massage is non-invasive, drug-free, and customizable, it carries far fewer risks than long-term use of medications such as opioids, another reason VA has expanded its use.

Increasing Access Through the VA

Access to massage therapy has expanded rapidly. Between 2016 and 2019, overall use of complementary therapies in the VA grew by 70%, and massage therapy visits increased by nearly 187%. The VA now covers massage therapy as a medical benefit when it meets clinical necessity, such as chronic musculoskeletal pain or cancer-related pain. While general “spa-style” wellness massage isn’t covered, medical massage tailored to health conditions is fully supported.

Cost-Effective and Veteran-Centered

For veterans, massage therapy offers a unique combination of low cost, minimal risk, and meaningful relief. Because it is often delivered alongside other services like physical therapy, acupuncture, and mindfulness training, it fits perfectly within a multimodal approach to pain management. Veterans also value the hands-on, patient-centered nature of massage, which supports the VA’s mission to deliver Whole Health, not just symptom control.