When Master Sergeant Mike Williams (not his real name and rank) returned home from his tour of duty in Iraq with a knee injury from combat, he thought the healing process would be pretty straightforward. A recipient of the Bronze Medal, he had been a remarkable soldier. 

He expected a smooth transition back to civilian life.  A surgical repair, some time on crutches and he’d be good to go.  What he didn’t count on was the invisible wounds that would haunt not only him, but his family. 

Shortly after leaving the VA Hospital with his repaired knee, he felt that something wasn’t right.  His wife noticed it, too. This was not the Mike she married.  His personality was different.  He suffered from chronic fatigue, was short-tempered, depressed and anxious.  He was re-admitted to the VA Hospital, underwent psychiatric evaluations, and began taking prescription medication, the traditional medical protocol for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

Holistic Education Heals PTSD, Too
But then Mike was introduced to the holistic education programs of the Veterans and Families Foundation for WellBeing, (VFFW) a non-profit community-based educational program based in Salt Lake City that provides help for disabled veterans and military families in navigating the obstacles and challenges that often arise when soldiers return home from war. 

Through conversations and discussion with Dr. James C. Overall, a former VA Hospital physician and one of the VFFW founders, Mike discovered the concept of relaxation expansion, a self-therapy technique that empowers the individual to become involved in their own healing. 

A devoted Harley-Davidson rider, Mike’s prescription for relaxation expansion was to take a one-hour nightly ride on his Harley before bed-time.  The outcome for Mike was less prescription medication, less anger, anxiety and fatigue, and more of the old Mike for his family.

Assistance and Referrals
This is just one example of the many resources available to returning veterans and their families through the VFFW.  While it does not provide diagnosis or treatment of medical or mental health diseases, it does provide educational assistance and facilitated connection or referral to the right person or right office for services like medical care at the Veterans Administration Hospital, mental health care, federal benefits information, career management and employment placement. 

Collaborative Relationships
The VFFW is part of the Utah region OEF/OIF Coalition (Operation Enduring Freedom,
Afghanistan; Operation Iraqi Freedom) and an example of recently established collaborative working relationships between VA and Department of Defense (DoD) personnel. The Coalition has representative members from federal and Utah State Veterans Affairs, US Army Reserve, Utah National Guard, and other regional VA and military organizations.

Disabled Soldier Has a Shared Responsibility
Free holistic education classes address topics like health and well being, learning new life skills for dealing with stress, and “therapeutic touch” an evidence-based healing therapy that helps reduce anxiety, stress, and pain.  It also includes referrals to holistic healing therapies like Tai-chi (chi-gong), meditation and yoga.  The VFFW approach is a shared responsibility.  The soldier is provided education, training and support and is expected to do his or her own appropriate work as well.

Invisible Wounds, PTSD and Depression
According to recent research figures there are an estimated 300,000 soldiers suffering currently from PTSD or depression and 320,000 from traumatic brain injury.  About one-third of those previously deployed have at least one of the three conditions, and 5 percent have all three.  Programs like the Veteran and Families Foundation for WellBeing will be instrumental in treating these disabled veterans and their families suffering from the invisible wounds of war. 

For more information about programs like this in your community contact the National Veterans Foundation hotline: 1-888-777-4443 or visit.

See Related Articles
Discover how veterans with post dramatic stress disorder are recovering with horses, in Equine Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Discover the resources for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder, in Integrative Health Heals Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans.