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.

SOURCE American Chiropractic Association

Rhondalee Dean-Royce of American Chiropractic Association, +1-703-812-0216,
Rdean-royce@acatoday.org