Use of Integrative Medicine in the United States Military Health System

Table 1

Integrative modalities in the Military Health System.

Modality	# of MTFs (2013) [4]	Conventional? [20]	Clinical indications	Notes
Acupuncture [4, 9, 18, 19]	83	No	Chronic pain, stress, anxiety, TBI, substance withdrawal [9], chronic pain [9, 25–27], PTSD [9, 28, 29]
Biofeedback [4, 9, 18, 19]	13	No	Physical rehabilitation [30, 31], mental health issues [32]
Breath-based practices [4, 9]	9	No	Relaxation, reversal of hypocapnia [33]	Often a component of meditation or yoga
Chiropractic [4, 9, 18, 19]	58	No	Pain in back or neck, headache, radiculopathy [9]
Osseous manipulation [9, 19]
Cognitive behavioral therapy [4]	5	Yes	Psychological issues [34], chronic pain [35], PTSD [36, 37], TBI, anxiety, depression [38, 39]
Hypnosis [18]	Not listed	No	PTSD [28, 40, 41], TBI [41]
Light therapy [18]	Not listed	Varies	TBI [42], depression [43], pain control [44–46], wound healing [47–52], neuropsychiatric disorders [50–52]	Multiple techniques; exact uses in MHS not established in literature
Massage [4, 18]	9	No	Relaxation, physical therapy, sports medicine, pain control [53, 54]
Soft tissue manipulation [9]
Structural integration [18]	3
Meditation [4, 9, 18]	14	No	Stress management, anxiety, PTSD, TBI [55, 56], pain, depression [9], relaxation, control of anxiety [57, 58]	Mostly for mindfulness
Meditative behavioral techniques [18]; Imagery [18]; Mindfulness [9]
Naturopathy [4, 9]	1	No	Primary care [59, 60]
Nutritional counseling [18]	Not listed	Varies	Hypertension, diabetes, weight loss, coronary disease, prevention, general health [9], prevention of chronic disease [61]	“Diet therapy” listed as alternative by Cochrane but specific usage may vary
Clinical nutrition [4, 9]	68
Relaxation [18]	Not listed	No	May be provided through massage, breathing techniques, or meditation (see modalities)	Listed as conventional for PTSD [29]
Spiritual healing [18]	3	No	Relaxation, psychotherapy, resolution of internal conflict [62, 63]
TENS [18]	Not listed	Yes	Pain control [64, 65]	Not listed alternative by Cochrane
Yoga [4, 9, 18]	11	No	Relaxation, pain control [66], building of mental resilience [67], rehabilitation [68, 69]
Movement meditation [9]