Integrative Medicine and the Trauma Spectrum Response

Abstract

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a widely recognized consequence of deployment, combat exposure, and trauma. Postdeployment PTSD commonly co-occurs with other medical problems and mood disorders to include depression, suicidality, substance-abuse disorders, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain. These mind and body injuries, and their consequences, often co-occur and are appropriately considered as war-related, trauma spectrum responses (wrTSRs).Objective: This article describes the potential role of complementary and integrative medicine for treating wrTSRs such as PTSD and their associated comorbidities. Method: This overview describes the interplay between these comorbidities as part of the wrTSR as well as suggesting how complementary and integrative medicine (IM) approaches may be used to address many of the challenges involved in treating wrTSRs. Conclusions: Complementary and IM modalities include tools that induce permanent healing in a whole person. Better and more-holistic approaches are needed for healing the wrTSR. In addition, there needs to be greater emphasis on research and implementation of whole-person healing practices. Finally, it is necessary to recognize the importance of healing as much as curing.