Acupuncture for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

Free, compassionate acupuncture treatment for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and veterans of other wars and their partners, will be available in Sonoma Valley, and at other sites nationwide, on Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. This service will be offered by Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB), a national professional service organization, and their allies.
In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 in New York City, and of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the emergency efforts of critical-care acupuncturists have made a difference. AWB was formed as a consequence of those efforts and from the realization that PTSD can be one of the most troubling near- and long-term consequences of human crisis.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is considered to arise from a prolonged over-stimulation of the fight-or-flight response in the lower brain. Many problems arise from this disorder, which often significantly disables and continues to wound PTSD sufferers internally, and not infrequently, for life. With acupuncture, vets can find relief from various symptoms of PTSD, including hyper-vigilance, flashbacks and nightmares, as well as reduce anxiety and irritability, and improve sleep, mental clarity and focus. Treatments are based on simple ear acupuncture protocols, which were originally part of chemical-dependency therapy and proved to be quite successful as a stress management service amidst healing and withdrawal.
Treatment is given fully clothed, in chairs or recliners, in a quiet group setting, often with gentle music in the background. Recipients are invited to close their eyes and rest for 30 to 45 minutes as the acupuncture does its work. Group treatment is preferred, as healing seems to be enhanced amidst community and commonality. No medical claims are made, and this work does not in any way seek to replace other appropriate medical care, although it can be very helpful with symptoms.
This free service for vets from Sonoma Valley and the surrounding area will be held at 166 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Future care will be available most Saturday mornings within the “Saturday Stress Clinic,” a low-budget stress clinic for the general public. Soldiers’ care will remain without charge. The Saturday Stress Clinic, soon to be bilingual, is open most Saturdays. For additional information contact Dr. Ned Hoke at 707.996.4511 or assistedselfcare@aol.com. Ned Hoke can be heard Wednesdays, from 1 to 2 p.m., on his KSVY 91.3 Sonomaradio show, “Health Matters.”