Whole health and well-being offerings
VA Whole Health is a cutting-edge approach to care that supports your health and well-being. Whole Health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. At VA Spokane health care, we offer a variety of programs to support your health and wellness goals. Click on each topic below to see a description of current offerings.
ALL Veterans are welcome!
Our Wellness Center is located on the 2nd floor of the main building, in Room C223. Contact our Wellness Coordinator at
Cancer
Cancer support group for Veterans.
Times vary; call
Diabetes Education
Diabetes nutrition class
Healthy food choices and carbohydrate counting taught by a Dietician. Call Nutrition Clinic at
1st and 3rd Fridays at 10 am; Room 223
Diabetes self-management education
Individual and group education sessions with Diabetic Educator; provider referral required. Contact Courtney Johnson, BSN, RN at
- 1st Tuesday of the Month: Diabetes Basics & Monitoring
- 2nd Tuesday of the Month: Healthy Eating & Being Active
- 3rd Tuesday of the Month: Healthy Coping & Problem Solving
- 4th Tuesday of the Month: Medications & Risk Management
- Group sessions Tuesdays via VA Video Connect 10-12, Individual Education also available
Exercise and Mobility
Fitness Room
Fitness room with equipment (treadmill, elliptical, recumbent bikes, and weights) for use.
- Monday – Friday 8 am to 12 pm
- Orientation session required before use; call
.
Gerofit
VA Gerofit Program - an exercise program for Veterans 65 years and above; referral required. Please call
- Gerofit helps Veterans manage disease and reduce care costs with exercise.
- Learn more at https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/pages/gerofit_Home.asp.
- Hear what Veterans have to say about Gerofit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmshi9ENQRs
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise that combines movements, meditation, and deep breathing with health benefits of better balance, movement, and coordination. Tai Chi is provided via VA Video Connect. Please call
Yoga
Yoga is gentle movement that can build strength and flexibility, manage pain, and reduce stress. Yoga is provided via VA Video Connect. Please call
Grief and Moral Injury
Dates and times of the following classes vary; please contact VA Chaplain office at
Journey through Grief
- This is an 8-week group which will help Veterans, spouses, caregivers, and staff navigate the difficult transitions that come from loss. This group will teach people to navigate grief and loss in a healthy way while companioning with them on this difficult journey. “Companioning” is about curiosity, learning from others, walking alongside, listening with the heart, and being present to another’s pain.
Introduction to Moral Injury
- This 4-week group introduces the concept of Moral Injury and helps Veterans understand if they are experiencing it.
Mindfulness and Relaxation
Mindfulness means noticing and paying attention to what is going on in the present moment, without passing judgment on it. Mindfulness has been shown to:
- Help reduce stress
- Improve emotional balance
- Increase self-awareness
- Help with anxiety and depression
- Help you cope better with chronic pain
The VA offers many different mindfulness resources for Veterans. These resources can be used anytime. Whether you need to pause to take a deep breath or refocus your thoughts. Explore them in more detail here and learn how you can begin a mindfulness practice today.
Additional resources:
- What is Mindfulness? (7 minute video)
- Mindfulness Coach VA App for iPhone and iPad
MOVE! Weight Management Program
MOVE! Weight Management Program
The below classes are available at VA Spokane. Call
- Monday at 3 pm, via Video Connect and In-Person
- Tuesday at 10 am, via Video Connect and In-Person
- Wed at 10 am, via Video Connect ONLY
- Thurs at 3:30 pm, via Video Connect ONLY
- Friday at 1 pm, via Video Connect and In-Person
Nutrition and Healthy Eating
For more information on these courses, please contact
Heart Health & Anti-Inflammatory Eating
Course on heart-healthy eating; 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at 10 am, Room 223.
Nutrition Clinic
Nutrition support; no referral required. Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, by phone or via Video Connect.
Pain Management
Pain Class
Psychologist-led course to help Veterans understand and cope with pain. Times vary; call
Vet-to-Vet Pain Support Group
Facilitated support group, conducted on Wednesdays at 3 pm;
Acupressure
Acupressure is a treatment that activates your body’s natural pain-control system. It may help you relieve pain without medication. This treatment requires a referral. Learn more at the links below:
- Acupressure self-care for low back pain
- Acupressure self-care for headaches and neck pain
- Acupressure for headaches (downloadable file)
Chiropractic care
The chiropractic approach to health care is holistic. Natural drugless, non-surgical methods of chiropractic treatment rely on the body's inherent recuperative abilities to promote healing. Chiropractic care restores, improves, and maintains your function, activity, and health. We work with your primary care provider and other specialty care providers to provide a complete health care plan for you. We offer many treatments, like:
- Spinal manipulative therapy to relieve pressure on your joints, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function.
- Electrical stimulation therapy, which reduces pain by sending mild electrical pulses through your skin to help stimulate injured muscles or manipulate nerves.
- Soft-tissue mobilization, which uses gentle pressure or massage to relax tense muscles, reduce scar tissue, or stretch connective tissue.
Contact us with any questions at 509-434-7018. Speak with your primary care provider for a referral.
Recreation Therapy and Music
Guitar Group Therapy
Helping Veterans cope through music. Monday at 12 pm; Wednesday at 11 am; Friday at 1 pm. Please call 509-434-7596 for information.
Warrior Beat Drumming
Helping Veterans cope with PTSD, anxiety, stress, & depression through music; referral required. Recreation Therapy; Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. Call
Assorted Recreation-based Interventions
Helping Veterans cope with PTSD, anxiety, stress, & depression; referral required. Call for more information. Start with a referral from your care provider. Call
- Archery
- Bowling
- Creative Arts
- Cycling
- Disc Golf
- Kayaking
- Rock Climbing
- Track & Field
- Winter Sports
- And more!
Social Support
Veterans Connect Coffee
Weekly group for Veterans to connect with each other. Wednesdays 9:45 to 10:45 am; call
Walking Groups
Varies; call
Tobacco Cessation
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Medication Management Program. By appointment; call
Whole Health Introduction
This 60-minute class introduces you to whole health. It helps you start to identify what is important to you, and how you can start on your whole health journey. Call
Women’s Health
For all women’s health programs: Contact Oreana Bohenek at
Prepared Childbirth
- Class series to feel better prepared for labor and birth. Learn comfort measures and relaxation techniques.
Lactation breastfeeding basics
- For people interested in learning more about breastfeeding and/or pumping.
ROSE Program
- Skills training for pregnant Veterans at-risk for postpartum depression (not depression treatment).
Baby Basics Class
- Education class about baby basic care, shaken baby syndrome prevention, safe sleep, and normal newborn development.