Retired General Touts Benefits of Chiropractic in the Military

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Chiropractic care provided me with a better quality of life," stated Brigadier General Becky Halstead (Ret.) at the opening session of the 2009 Chiropractic Symposium and Expo (CSE) in St. Louis, Mo. CSE 2009, a new educational event offered by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and its specialty councils, took place Oct. 30 - Nov. 1.

Gen. Halstead served 27 years in the U.S. Army. She was the first female graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to obtain the rank of general, and she was the first female general to command troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. At CSE 2009, she spoke to a crowd of about 250 doctors of chiropractic, sharing her personal story of how chiropractic care helped her recover from debilitating chronic fibromyalgia, and why she believes the benefits of chiropractic care should be extended to all members of the military.

"I believe in the service that chiropractic care gave me after I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It provided me with an overall wellness," she said. "And I believe in the importance of providing access to chiropractic care for military servicemen and women. The conditions our military endures can cause serious musculoskeletal pain and misalignments of the spine. Chiropractic can alleviate back injuries, headaches and the stress often associated with the strain of the gear and the conditions endured every day."

For years, ACA has urged congressional action to ensure that active-duty members of the U.S. military have access to chiropractic care at all military treatment facilities in the United States and abroad. While progress has been made, currently only 60 military treatment facilities out of approximately 238 facilities worldwide offer chiropractic care as part of their integrated medical care.

Gen. Halstead recalled how she learned that chiropractic care enables patients to take an active role in their recovery and ongoing health. She also underscored the importance of working together to expand its availability. "Traditional medicine did not work for me...doctors of chiropractic not only allow but strongly encourage the patient to be part of the solution for their wellness," she said.

"Gen. Halstead's story is a great example of why our troops need access to chiropractic care to help keep them healthy and ready for action," said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC.

Today, Halstead is a spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and serves as executive director for leader development with The Praevius Group, a Virginia-based consultancy focused on the innovative fusion of leadership development and technology.

ACA, based in Arlington, Va., is the largest chiropractic organization in the United States. The association provides lobbying, public relations, professional and educational opportunities for doctors of chiropractic, funds research, and offers leadership for the advancement of the profession. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients.