MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Alvin C. York VA Medical Center is one of the largest Veterans Affairs facilities in Middle Tennessee. Their Whole Health program has worked to help veterans improve their mind, body, and wellbeing, all while connecting veterans to others in their community.
Dewahn Love is a U.S. Navy veteran who deals with chronic pain. He’s an active member of the program and participates in activities like aquatic therapy, archery, and vibroacoustic therapy.
“My thing is as long as I’m moving, I’m good,” Love said. “If I’m not moving, that’s when it bothers me, so I try to stay as active and moving as I can.”
The program offers a variety of ways for veterans to care for their mind, body and spirit, including tai chi, equine therapy and functional fitness.
“It’s patient-centered care with the intent to focus on the entire person, not just the symptoms,” U.S. Army Veteran and Alvin C. York Health and Wellness Coach, Virgil Teter, said. “I’ll have a veteran come in who can only lift the bar in whatever strength lift we’re doing and after they’ve been coming for months, they’re surprising themselves with new personal records and just the satisfaction of knowing that they can accomplish those feats.”
However, Teter said the more important thing these vets are doing is building community.
“It’s more like you’re around your brothers and sisters because it’s like when you’re in the military, it’s like those are your family members,” Love said. “Those are who you count on, so now that you’re back in the civilian world, they know what you go through, and you know what they go through.”
Whole Health plans are personalized, based on each veteran’s needs and goals. Anyone interested in learning more about the program can follow this link.
“All you’ve got to do is get your foot in the door. Once you get your foot in the door, there are a lot of programs you can go through and they can help you,” Love said. “Don’t give up.”
