Introduction
For decades, Veterans turning to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mostly found themselves in traditional healthcare settings, hospitals, primary care offices, specialty clinics, and pharmacies. Yet here these services are still fundamental ones, though not all-encompassing. The health experiences of veterans are varied, complicated, and shaped by the physical and mental conditions that are unique to military service. There are those that can be treated normally and those that can be enhanced through alternative, less common methods that attempt to treat the individual, body, mind, and spirit as a whole person.
Within recent years, the VA has started to open its doors to nontraditional providers with the VA Community Care Network (CCN). This change is not only scientifically researched, but also was what Veterans have been telling all along the line; healing does not fit into a one-size-fits-all program. The VA is developing more flexible approaches by recognizing the various care needs, which enable Veterans to get effective, personalized, and holistic care.
In this blog, the author will examine the increasing importance of nontraditional care, who they are, why the VA is welcoming them, and their impact on the Veterans and their families. It also brings out the role of community-based feedback and evidence-based practice that is steering policy and care delivery so that the Veterans have easy access to a broad range of treatment.
Traditional vs. Nontraditional Care
Traditional Care
When Veterans think of VA healthcare, they often picture services like:
- Primary care physicians
- Surgeons and medical specialists (cardiology, orthopedics, neurology)
- Imaging centers and labs
- Prescription medications, including pain management tools
- Standard rehabilitation programs
These services remain essential and lifesaving, providing critical interventions for acute illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions. However, for many Veterans, these approaches alone may not fully address complex or persistent health challenges.
Nontraditional Care
Nontraditional—or “complementary and integrative”—care includes approaches outside conventional medicine but backed by growing research. Examples include:
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic care
- Yoga and mindfulness training
- Massage therapy
- Nutritional counseling
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)
- Medical cannabis (state-legal, under specific policies)
Not all of these are officially VA-approved, but the fact that some are being recognized marks a real cultural change in Veteran care. This inclusion acknowledges Veterans’ voices and highlights a shift toward broader, more holistic approaches to health.
Why This Shift Matters
Veterans’ Unique Health Profiles
Service-related injuries, chronic musculoskeletal pain, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and PTSD often need more than a single approach. Traditional care alone doesn’t always fully address these complex, overlapping issues, and Veterans frequently seek additional strategies to achieve meaningful improvement.
Limitations of Traditional Medicine
Medications and surgeries save lives—but they also carry risks. Side effects, long recovery times, and dependency concerns (particularly with opioids) create barriers for some Veterans. Many have requested safer, sustainable options that complement conventional treatments while addressing quality-of-life goals.
Research and Evidence
The science is catching up, providing evidence for certain integrative methods, including:
- Acupuncture for chronic pain and headaches
- Mindfulness for stress reduction and better sleep
- Chiropractic and OMT for mobility and function
Veteran Feedback
Veterans have been clear: many already turn to complementary care outside the VA. By recognizing this demand, the VA is bringing these services safely into the system through Community Care, allowing Veterans to access care with reduced financial and logistical barriers.
VA’s Whole Health Approach
A big part of this shift is the VA’s Whole Health model, which goes beyond treating symptoms. It focuses on:
- Veterans’ life goals
- The mind-body-spirit connection
- Multiple care options working together
Through Whole Health, the VA has piloted programs in yoga, meditation, tai chi, and acupuncture—many of which are now expanding across facilities nationwide, offering more consistent access to these therapies.
Community Care Network and Provider Expansion
The VA Community Care Network (CCN) allows Veterans to see approved providers outside VA facilities when:
- The VA doesn’t offer a needed service
- Wait times are too long.
- The nearest VA location is too far.
Under CCN, contracts are no longer limited to traditional specialists. Complementary providers are being added too—broadening Veterans’ choices while removing the need to pay out of pocket or juggle outside systems.
Examples of Nontraditional Providers Now Recognized
- Acupuncturists
Helping with pain management, especially for Veterans seeking non-opioid options. - Chiropractors
Supporting spinal and musculoskeletal health, both common issues among Veterans. - Osteopathic Physicians (DOs)
Fully licensed doctors who use OMT for drug-free pain relief. - Mental Health Integrative Providers
Mindfulness teachers, yoga instructors, and trauma-informed therapists supporting PTSD, stress, and sleep. - Nutritionists and Lifestyle Coaches
Guiding Veterans in managing diabetes, heart disease, and weight—conditions that affect quality of life. - Medical Cannabis (State-Legal)
While federally restricted, the VA acknowledges that many Veterans use medical cannabis through state programs. VA providers can’t prescribe it, but also cannot penalize Veterans for legal use. Mendry provide education to reduce confusion and stigma.
Why Veterans Seek Nontraditional Care
- Chronic Pain Management
Many Veterans fear opioid dependency. Complementary methods like acupuncture, chiropractic care, and OMT provide non-drug pain relief options, giving them safer alternatives for long-term management. - PTSD and Mental Health
Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation can help Veterans manage stress, anxiety, and trauma symptoms alongside conventional therapy, supporting emotional resilience. - Desire for Control
Nontraditional care gives Veterans a sense of empowerment. Being able to select approaches that feel right reinforces dignity, independence, and self-advocacy in health decisions. - Fewer Side Effects
Compared to some medications, complementary approaches often provide relief with fewer or milder side effects, offering Veterans safer, more tolerable treatment options.
Challenges and Considerations
- Consistency and Quality: Not all providers meet the same standards, so credentialing matters.
- Insurance & Reimbursement: Some services are covered by CCN; others may not be.
- Research Gaps: More studies are needed to validate effectiveness across conditions.
- Cultural Acceptance: Some Veterans remain unsure or skeptical of integrative approaches.
The Role of Mendry
At Mendry, we see these changes as more than policy—they’re opportunities. We help Veterans by:
- Education: Breaking down what care options are available.
- Navigation: Helping Veterans understand CCN referrals and eligibility.
- Support: Providing resources that reduce stigma around nontraditional care.
- Grants: Partnering with nonprofits that expand complementary services in local communities.
What Veterans Should Know
- Ask Your VA Primary Care Provider: Even if they can’t provide it directly, they can start a Community Care referral.
- Document Your Needs: Keeping detailed records helps justify access to complementary care.
- Know State Laws: For medical cannabis, understand your state’s program and VA policy.
- Stay Informed: VA coverage and policy are evolving—Mendry is here to keep you updated.
Looking Ahead: Why the VA is Opening Doors
The VA’s recognition of nontraditional care reflects:
- Evidence-Based Acceptance: Research increasingly supports integrative models.
- Veteran Demand: Veterans have asked for these services, and policy is responding.
- Opioid Crisis: Expanding alternatives helps reduce reliance on high-risk prescriptions.
- Whole Health Model: Treating Veterans as whole individuals, not just a collection of conditions, creates better outcomes.
Conclusion
For Veterans, this isn’t about replacing traditional care—it’s about expanding the circle of care. Healing can come from many sources. Acupuncture, chiropractic, mindfulness, nutrition counseling, osteopathic treatment, and state-legal cannabis are now part of the conversation.
By embracing diverse care options, the VA acknowledges that Veterans’ unique experiences, needs, and voices must shape policy. The Community Care Network allows access to holistic, evidence-informed approaches, empowering Veterans to pursue meaningful health improvements in ways that work for them.
The VA’s integration of these approaches through CCN marks a turning point: Veterans’ lived experiences are directly influencing the evolution of care, creating more personalized, flexible pathways.
At Mendry, we are committed to helping Veterans navigate these changes, connecting them to reliable resources, education, and support. Every Veteran deserves care that respects their choices, eases invisible pain, improves quality of life, and restores dignity, helping them thrive both physically and emotionally.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Educational use only. No medical or legal advice.
Mendry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, not a government agency, and not affiliated with the VA or any federal or state agency.
Mendry does not provide treatment, prescribe or sell cannabis, or collect PHI.
Healthcare decisions are yours and your licensed clinicians’ only.
Emergency: 911 | Veterans Crisis Line: 988 (Press 1)