Brigadier Gen. Becky Halstead Touts Benefits of Chiropractic at 2009 Chiropractic Symposium and Expo

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/  -- "Chiropractic care
provided me with a better quality of life," stated Brigadier General
Becky Halstead (Ret.) at the opening session of the 2009 Chiropractic
Symposium and Expo(CSE) in St. Louis, Mo. CSE 2009, a new educational
event offered by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and its
specialty councils, took place Oct. 30 - Nov. 1.

Gen. Halstead served 27 years in the U.S. Army. She was the first
female graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to obtain
the rank of general, and she was the first female general to command
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. At CSE 2009, she spoke to a crowd of
about 250 doctors of chiropractic, sharing her personal story of how
chiropractic care helped her recover from debilitating chronic
fibromyalgia, and why she believes the benefits of chiropractic care
should be extended to all members of the military.

"I believe in the service that chiropractic care gave me after I was
diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It provided me with an overall wellness,"
she said. "And I believe in the importance of providing access to
chiropractic care for military servicemen and women. The conditions
our military endures can cause serious musculoskeletal pain and
misalignments of the spine. Chiropractic can alleviate back injuries,
headaches and the stress often associated with the
strain of the gear and the conditions endured every day."

For years, ACA has urged congressional action to ensure that
active-duty members of the U.S. military have access to chiropractic
care at all military treatment facilities in the United States and
abroad. While progress has been made, currently only 60 military
treatment facilities out of approximately 238 facilities worldwide
offer chiropractic care as part of their integrated
medical care.

Gen. Halstead recalled how she learned that chiropractic care enables
patients to take an active role in their recovery and ongoing health.
She also underscored the importance of working together to expand its
availability. "Traditional medicine did not work for me...doctors of
chiropractic not only allow but strongly encourage the patient to be
part of the solution for their wellness," she said.



"Gen. Halstead's story is a great example of why our troops need access
to chiropractic care to help keep them healthy and ready for action,"
said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC.

Today, Halstead is a spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic
Progress and serves as executive director for leader development with
The Praevius Group, a Virginia-based consultancy focused on the
innovative fusion of leadership development and technology.ACA, based
in Arlington, Va., is the largest chiropractic organization in the
United States. The association provides lobbying, public relations,
professional and educational opportunities for doctors of chiropractic,
funds research, and offers leadership for the advancement of the
profession. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient
care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of
chiropractic patients.



SOURCE  American Chiropractic Association

Rhondalee Dean-Royce of American Chiropractic Association,
+1-703-812-0216, Rdean-royce@acatoday.org