VA aiming to treat “whole health” of veterans

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - This Veterans Day, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is focusing on the 'whole health' of those who served.

The problems of opioid overuse, chronic pain and persistent mental health challenges has the VA looking to other ways to treat vets.

The VA's 'whole health system' is there to provide alternative treatments like acupuncture, meditation, yoga and tai chi.

"It's an approach that is unique in American healthcare. There really is no other healthcare system that is taking on paying for things like acupuncture, tai chi and health coaching in the same way the VA does. This approach is really right for a lot of veterans," said Dr. Benjamin Kligler of the Veterans Health Administration.

For more information, veterans can visit this website to learn more.