Minneapolis VA studying alternatives to pain meds

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System will participate in two major research projects focusing on non-drug approaches to pain. The Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center has become a site for studying chronic pain and the effectiveness of alternatives to traditional pain medications. The Department of Veterans Affairs nationwide struggles with the burgeoning use of pain medications for vets. A June 2014 report showed a high rate of chronic pain — 44 percent — among members of the U.S. military after combat deployment, compared with 26 percent in the general public.