Massage for Veterans. For free!

A friendly wave from a fellow Veteran!

If we haven't met, hello and welcome! I'm genuinely glad you're here. As a Veteran myself (nearly 21 years in the Air Force, between active duty and guard), I've seen firsthand how much the military has evolved in its approach to healthcare. One fantastic development is the recognition of massage therapy as a valuable healthcare benefit covered by the VA.

Many of you may already know this, but for those who don't or aren't sure how it works, let me break it down. The VA provides healthcare to many Veterans, whether they have a disability rating or not. (Please reach out to your VA facility for clarification on eligibility).

To expand access to care, the VA utilizes a network of civilian providers called Community Care, which includes a range of practitioners from medical specialists to massage therapists and acupuncturists. When in-house appointments aren't readily available, the VA refers Veterans to this "community" network. However, please be aware that all Community Care referrals, including for massage, necessitate a medically necessary reason supported by a specific diagnosis. This service is for therapeutic treatment, not solely for relaxation.

You might have heard about in-home massage through platforms like Zeel; in that case, Zeel is the network provider connecting therapists with Veterans at home.

This offers Veterans incredible convenience and access to covered massage therapy. While the payment structure for therapists in these networks can be a consideration, the ultimate goal is for it to be a beneficial arrangement for everyone involved.

While the convenience of Zeel might be appealing, keep in mind that some therapists are also working on becoming directly in-network with the VA (I'm in the process myself). Don't hesitate to ask your therapist about their willingness to travel. While the controlled environment of a studio or clinic can sometimes be beneficial, the best option truly depends on your individual needs and circumstances.

I hope this helps!