Jun 20, 2025

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PTSD Patients: Veteran Health – Alternative Treatments for Australian Veterans

By

Raiqa Nisar

Our veterans have served our country with unparalleled courage, but for many, the scars of war go far beyond what is visible. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious and often invisible battle that many Australian veterans face after returning from service. The emotional and psychological toll of traumatic events can leave lasting effects, manifesting in symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, hypervigilance, and intrusive memories.

These challenges can make reintegration into civilian life difficult, and the road to recovery can be a long and complex process.

While traditional treatments like therapy and medication are crucial, many veterans are seeking alternative treatments to help manage their PTSD symptoms. These therapies aim to complement conventional care and provide additional support for emotional healing. This blog will discuss several alternative therapies that have shown promise in helping veterans manage PTSD, while also emphasising the importance of supporting our veterans in their recovery journey.

Our veterans have served our country with unparalleled courage, but for many, the scars of war go far beyond what is visible. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious and often invisible battle that many Australian veterans face after returning from service. The emotional and psychological toll of traumatic events can leave lasting effects, manifesting in symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, hypervigilance, and intrusive memories.

These challenges can make reintegration into civilian life difficult, and the road to recovery can be a long and complex process.

While traditional treatments like therapy and medication are crucial, many veterans are seeking alternative treatments to help manage their PTSD symptoms. These therapies aim to complement conventional care and provide additional support for emotional healing. This blog will discuss several alternative therapies that have shown promise in helping veterans manage PTSD, while also emphasising the importance of supporting our veterans in their recovery journey.

Why Supporting Our Veterans is Critical

Veterans face unique challenges when transitioning from military life to civilian life, and mental health often takes a backseat. PTSD is a hidden condition that doesn’t always show outward signs, but it affects the veteran’s ability to cope with daily life. As a society, it is crucial to create a supportive environment that acknowledges the sacrifices made by veterans and provides them with access to the resources and care they need and deserve.

Offering alternative therapies is an important aspect of this support. While veterans often receive traditional care from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or other healthcare services, incorporating complementary treatments can help improve quality of life, alleviate symptoms, and give veterans more tools to manage their mental health.

Why Supporting Our Veterans is Critical

Veterans face unique challenges when transitioning from military life to civilian life, and mental health often takes a backseat. PTSD is a hidden condition that doesn’t always show outward signs, but it affects the veteran’s ability to cope with daily life. As a society, it is crucial to create a supportive environment that acknowledges the sacrifices made by veterans and provides them with access to the resources and care they need and deserve.

Offering alternative therapies is an important aspect of this support. While veterans often receive traditional care from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or other healthcare services, incorporating complementary treatments can help improve quality of life, alleviate symptoms, and give veterans more tools to manage their mental health.

1: Mindfulness and Meditation: Reducing Stress and Anxiety

One of the most beneficial alternative treatments for PTSD is mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment, helping individuals become aware of their thoughts and emotions without being overwhelmed by them. For veterans, who may often feel disconnected from their emotions or trapped in cycles of hyperarousal, mindfulness practices can provide a much-needed sense of calm.

Benefits for Veterans with PTSD:

  • Reduces anxiety and stress: Mindfulness helps veterans become less reactive to their stressors.

  • Improves emotional regulation: Veterans learn to accept emotions without judgment, fostering a healthier relationship with their feelings.

  • Enhances focus and clarity: Regular mindfulness practice can improve concentration, which is often difficult for individuals who have PTSD.

Tip: Start with short, guided sessions through apps like Headspace or Calm, which offer specific programs for stress reduction and relaxation.

1: Mindfulness and Meditation: Reducing Stress and Anxiety

One of the most beneficial alternative treatments for PTSD is mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment, helping individuals become aware of their thoughts and emotions without being overwhelmed by them. For veterans, who may often feel disconnected from their emotions or trapped in cycles of hyperarousal, mindfulness practices can provide a much-needed sense of calm.

Benefits for Veterans with PTSD:

  • Reduces anxiety and stress: Mindfulness helps veterans become less reactive to their stressors.

  • Improves emotional regulation: Veterans learn to accept emotions without judgment, fostering a healthier relationship with their feelings.

  • Enhances focus and clarity: Regular mindfulness practice can improve concentration, which is often difficult for individuals who have PTSD.

Tip: Start with short, guided sessions through apps like Headspace or Calm, which offer specific programs for stress reduction and relaxation.

2: Herbal Remedies and Supplements: Natural Calming Support

For many veterans with PTSD, herbal remedies offer a gentle and natural way to manage symptoms like anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances. These remedies can complement other forms of treatment and provide additional support for mental well-being. Here are a few herbs and supplements to consider:

  • Lavender Is Known for its calming properties, which can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. This can be used as an essential oil in a diffuser or as a supplement.

  • Chamomile: Chamomile is another herb that can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, which is especially useful for veterans struggling to calm their minds after a stressful day.

  • Passionflower: Often used to relieve anxiety and promote restful sleep, passionflower can provide a gentle calming effect.

Disclaimer: Before trying any herbal remedies or supplements, always consult with your healthcare professional to ensure there are no contraindications with other medications or treatments.

2: Herbal Remedies and Supplements: Natural Calming Support

For many veterans with PTSD, herbal remedies offer a gentle and natural way to manage symptoms like anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances. These remedies can complement other forms of treatment and provide additional support for mental well-being. Here are a few herbs and supplements to consider:

  • Lavender Is Known for its calming properties, which can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. This can be used as an essential oil in a diffuser or as a supplement.

  • Chamomile: Chamomile is another herb that can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, which is especially useful for veterans struggling to calm their minds after a stressful day.

  • Passionflower: Often used to relieve anxiety and promote restful sleep, passionflower can provide a gentle calming effect.

Disclaimer: Before trying any herbal remedies or supplements, always consult with your healthcare professional to ensure there are no contraindications with other medications or treatments.

3: Alternative Therapies: The Role of the Endocannabinoid System

In recent years, alternative therapies—including plant-based treatments—have gained attention as viable options for managing PTSD symptoms. One of the most widely discussed approaches involves regulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining bodily balance, including regulating mood, responding to stress, and promoting sleep.

Many veterans with PTSD have turned to alternative therapies to support the ECS and enhance emotional and physical recovery. These therapies can include terpenes, herbal extracts, and plant-based treatments, which are designed to help balance the body’s systems and promote overall well-being.

How Alternative Therapies Help Veterans with PTSD:

  • Regulates the ECS: The ECS plays a critical role in managing the body’s response to stress and trauma. By supporting the ECS, alternative therapies can help reduce the physiological and psychological symptoms of PTSD.

  • Promotes relaxation: Certain terpenes and compounds in plant-based remedies, such as lavender and myrcene, can promote relaxation and help with sleep disturbances.

  • Reduces inflammation: PTSD can often be accompanied by chronic inflammation in the body, leading to discomfort and pain. Some alternative therapies may help reduce this inflammation, improving both mental and physical health.

While alternative therapies like cannabis (when used legally and appropriately) have been shown to help manage PTSD symptoms, it’s important to use these treatments under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Disclaimer: Before using any alternative therapies, including cannabis or plant-based treatments, please consult with a healthcare provider to ensure safety, effectiveness, and proper dosage.

3: Alternative Therapies: The Role of the Endocannabinoid System

In recent years, alternative therapies—including plant-based treatments—have gained attention as viable options for managing PTSD symptoms. One of the most widely discussed approaches involves regulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining bodily balance, including regulating mood, responding to stress, and promoting sleep.

Many veterans with PTSD have turned to alternative therapies to support the ECS and enhance emotional and physical recovery. These therapies can include terpenes, herbal extracts, and plant-based treatments, which are designed to help balance the body’s systems and promote overall well-being.

How Alternative Therapies Help Veterans with PTSD:

  • Regulates the ECS: The ECS plays a critical role in managing the body’s response to stress and trauma. By supporting the ECS, alternative therapies can help reduce the physiological and psychological symptoms of PTSD.

  • Promotes relaxation: Certain terpenes and compounds in plant-based remedies, such as lavender and myrcene, can promote relaxation and help with sleep disturbances.

  • Reduces inflammation: PTSD can often be accompanied by chronic inflammation in the body, leading to discomfort and pain. Some alternative therapies may help reduce this inflammation, improving both mental and physical health.

While alternative therapies like cannabis (when used legally and appropriately) have been shown to help manage PTSD symptoms, it’s important to use these treatments under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Disclaimer: Before using any alternative therapies, including cannabis or plant-based treatments, please consult with a healthcare provider to ensure safety, effectiveness, and proper dosage.

Physical Movement and Exercise: Releasing Tension and Stress

Exercise and physical movement can be incredibly beneficial for veterans who have PTSD. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins (natural mood boosters), which help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress.

For veterans, engaging in regular physical activity can help ground them in their bodies and reduce the physical manifestations of trauma, such as tension and pain.

Recommended Forms of Exercise:

  • Yoga: Trauma-sensitive yoga can help veterans regain control over their bodies and reduce feelings of helplessness or hyperarousal.

  • Walking or Running: Simple cardiovascular exercises can significantly improve mental well-being and help reduce symptoms of PTSD.

  • Strength Training: Lifting weights or resistance training can improve confidence and give veterans a sense of accomplishment. 

The important thing is to find an exercise that feels right for each individual. Whether it’s a low-impact option like swimming or something more intense like boxing, regular movement can provide emotional and physical relief from PTSD.

Physical Movement and Exercise: Releasing Tension and Stress

Exercise and physical movement can be incredibly beneficial for veterans who have PTSD. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins (natural mood boosters), which help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress.

For veterans, engaging in regular physical activity can help ground them in their bodies and reduce the physical manifestations of trauma, such as tension and pain.

Recommended Forms of Exercise:

  • Yoga: Trauma-sensitive yoga can help veterans regain control over their bodies and reduce feelings of helplessness or hyperarousal.

  • Walking or Running: Simple cardiovascular exercises can significantly improve mental well-being and help reduce symptoms of PTSD.

  • Strength Training: Lifting weights or resistance training can improve confidence and give veterans a sense of accomplishment. 

The important thing is to find an exercise that feels right for each individual. Whether it’s a low-impact option like swimming or something more intense like boxing, regular movement can provide emotional and physical relief from PTSD.

Community Support and Group Therapy: Healing Together

It’s crucial to remember that social support is one of the most powerful tools in healing from trauma. Veterans benefit greatly from connecting with others who understand their experiences. Group therapy, where individuals share their stories and coping strategies, can provide comfort, camaraderie, and emotional release.

There are also peer support networks for veterans in Australia, where veterans can find strength in shared experiences and build a supportive community. Whether it’s through online forums, local meet-ups, or veteran-specific mental health programs, connecting with others is essential in the healing process.

Community Support and Group Therapy: Healing Together

It’s crucial to remember that social support is one of the most powerful tools in healing from trauma. Veterans benefit greatly from connecting with others who understand their experiences. Group therapy, where individuals share their stories and coping strategies, can provide comfort, camaraderie, and emotional release.

There are also peer support networks for veterans in Australia, where veterans can find strength in shared experiences and build a supportive community. Whether it’s through online forums, local meet-ups, or veteran-specific mental health programs, connecting with others is essential in the healing process.

Conclusion: Holistic Support for Our Veterans

Supporting veterans with PTSD requires a multi-faceted approach that combines traditional treatments with alternative therapies. Through mindfulness, physical activity, herbal remedies, and alternative therapies that help the endocannabinoid system, veterans can find relief from the emotional and physical toll of PTSD.

Our veterans deserve the best care possible, and offering them access to alternative treatments is one important way we can help them manage PTSD and improve their quality of life. As a society, we must prioritise their well-being, provide the resources they need, and recognise the sacrifices they’ve made for our freedom.

Disclaimer: Always consult with a healthcare professional before introducing any new treatments or therapies, especially alternative options like herbal remedies or cannabis-based therapies. Your doctor can help ensure safety and compatibility with any existing medications or health conditions you may have.

Conclusion: Holistic Support for Our Veterans

Supporting veterans with PTSD requires a multi-faceted approach that combines traditional treatments with alternative therapies. Through mindfulness, physical activity, herbal remedies, and alternative therapies that help the endocannabinoid system, veterans can find relief from the emotional and physical toll of PTSD.

Our veterans deserve the best care possible, and offering them access to alternative treatments is one important way we can help them manage PTSD and improve their quality of life. As a society, we must prioritise their well-being, provide the resources they need, and recognise the sacrifices they’ve made for our freedom.

Disclaimer: Always consult with a healthcare professional before introducing any new treatments or therapies, especially alternative options like herbal remedies or cannabis-based therapies. Your doctor can help ensure safety and compatibility with any existing medications or health conditions you may have.

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