AWB is supporting disaster relief efforts for the Oklahoma disaster. Click here to donate:

---

AWB's mission is to provide immediate relief and recovery acupuncture services to global communities that are in crisis from disaster or human conflict. AWB also seeks to provide training and services to global communities that promote and sustain local self-directed, self-sufficient, proactive and long-term recovery, rebuilding and trauma (including PTSD) resolution.

Acupuncturists Without Borders has helped more than 20,000 people recover after Hurricane Katrina, the Iowa floods, the California wildfires, the Boulder wildfires, the shootings in Tucson, Arizona in January of 2011, the earthquake in New Zealand in February 2011, and in recent work with traumatized populations in Nepal, Ecuador, Mongolia, and Haiti as well as Missouri, Minneapolis, and Springfield, Mass. after the tornadoes of 2011. Many have said the treatment helped save their lives.

This is from a recent letter from a Haitian earthquake survivor who was treated by AWB volunteers:

After the disaster…I get many trouble, you know, because I lose many friends. When the first AWB team coming here, they explain me about the acupuncture. I take the first therapy. I feel so good. There’s no stress, pain for me. I sleep well. After that, I explain this to the other people. They agree with me…This is the best therapy that I ever know...”

—Jean Marie Exavier, Leogane, Haiti, 2010

AWB gathers resources and funding to assist our volunteer-led teams to respond to emergencies and disasters worldwide. If you would like to make a donation to assist our efforts, please visit our Donation page and click on the links that allow you to make donations to our efforts.

AWB's Military Stress Recovery Project, healing the wounds of war, has been in operation since 2006. Thousands of veterans, active duty military, and their families have been treated with free community acupuncture around the country. New clinic locations are continually being initiated in cities across the United States and AWB is providing regular training and support to the leaders of these unique free clinics that are healing not only individuals, but families and communities. Additionally, other types of community clinics are now part of our Community Clinic Program, serving diverse populations in need of services.

AWB also leads service trips, and trainings, in countries around the world. The trips are called World Healing Exchange trips, and involve exchange with local healers, as well as clinics. Trainings are generally for local health care practitioners, and in conjunction with local non-governmental organizations and community leaders.

In addition, over 1500 acupuncturists have been trained at Acupuncturists Without Borders Healing Community Trauma Trainings held around the country and hundreds of others have applied to work with AWB in the field. AWB is building a nationwide network of acupuncturists trained to respond to trauma and disaster and who are bringing information from AWB's trainings back into their communities.

We are currently working on making community acupuncture part of the standard of care in the immediate aftermath of disasters, alongside traditional medical interventions. AWB is committed to treating all who have been affected by disaster and conflict including survivors, first responders, emergency personnel and other care providers. The community model for treatment allows those treated to experience relief together from stress and trauma. When the whole group feels calm and quiet, hope, determination and resiliency rises powerfully within it.

see also Why Use Ear Acupuncture

The community acupuncture method that we use is well-suited to conditions faced in a disaster or after traumatic events. We can set up our treatments almost anywhere and we can immediately treat large groups of people. Treatments last from 30-60 minutes with people receiving treatment while sitting in a chair fully clothed. Under the NADA protocol needles go on the ears. The treatments done by AWB acupuncturists are effective for helping people facing enormous stress, anger, frustration, depression, fatigue and other emotional and physical pain. The therapeutic effects happen quickly and can last a long time. These simple acupuncture treatments can have a transformative effect without requiring the traumatized client to talk. Done in groups, community acupuncture can help break the isolation often felt after traumatic events. Even those who resist traditional treatment for Acute Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)are often willing to receive acupuncture. Treatments support rebuilding strength and resiliency, essential for the recovery process. Acupuncture treatments have a calming effect and help those struggling with anger, hostility and frustration. Our treatments are free and available to all who need them. We are committed to helping the primary survivors of traumatic events, as well as emergency responders, relief workers and others affected by the emergency. The actual cost of these treatments is extremely low compared to other forms of treatment.