Assessing Chiropractic, Complementary and Integrative Health, and Whole Health Services Utilization Among a Cohort of Pregnant and Postpartum Veterans.

INTRODUCTION

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is common among women veterans and may be exacerbated during pregnancy and postpartum. However, little is known regarding pregnant veterans' engagement with chiropractic, complementary and integrative health (CIH), and Whole Health (e.g., health and wellness coaching) services in this population.

METHODS

Pregnant and postpartum veterans were identified from a longitudinal, prospective, multisite cohort study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected via Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health record and study survey data. Visits to VA-funded chiropractic, CIH, and Whole Health services during pregnancy, the first 9 postpartum months, and the 5 years preceding pregnancy were identified. We described participants' engagement with these services and assessed factors associated with use of any of these services during pregnancy and/or postpartum using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 1,139 veterans included, 109 (10%) engaged with chiropractic, CIH, and/or Whole Health services during pregnancy and/or postpartum. Chiropractic (53%), acupuncture (20%), and massage therapy (10%) were the most used services. Visits to services were similar between pregnant (54%) and postpartum (46%) timeframes. Engagement with these services in the 5 years preceding pregnancy (odds ratio [OR]: 6.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] [4.24, 11.25]) and presence of a mental health diagnosis (anxiety, depression, and/or posttraumatic stress disorder) (OR: 1.79; 95% CI [1.02, 3.17]) were significantly associated with chiropractic, CIH, and/or Whole Health service use during pregnancy and/or postpartum. All other demographic and clinical variables were nonsignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study may inform future implementation and administrative investigations of pregnant and postpartum veterans' use of chiropractic, CIH, and Whole Health services.