“I served two tours of combat
in Vietnam. I’m 100%
disabled because of PTSD. When I first started coming to the AWB clinic
in Albuquerque, I had spent years suffering from high anxiety. I
believe that because of the acupuncture I have become calmer and my
anxiety has drastically come down. I don’t want the new vets
to suffer for years like I did. Acupuncture is helping me get my life
back.” ~ Raul Rojas
• Albuquerque, New Mexico (the Albuquerque
clinic is in the
process of changing venues)
• Framingham, Massachusetts
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Portland, Maine
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
Click on the clinic of your choice for date, time and
location
information
____________________________
With the experience and
expertise of bringing community style
acupuncture to the people of Louisiana, AWB is taking its service to a
different population, U.S. Veterans. The Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans
Project will provide free acupuncture treatments for veterans returning
from Iraq or Afghanistan, but also welcomes veterans from all other
past conflicts or wars as well as the veterans’ family
members.
The Veterans Project has
been underway in Albuquerque, NM for
over a year. Other clinics are opening around the country. As in
Louisiana, treatments are based on the National Acupuncture
Detoxification Association (NADA) ear protocol which has proven to be
extremely powerful in alleviating symptoms of acute stress and trauma.
During treatment, people sit fully clothed in a circle of chairs, and
the licensed acupuncturist places 5 tiny needles on each ear. The
recipients are invited to close their eyes and rest for 30-45 minutes,
as the acupuncture does its work. Group treatment creates a sense of
community and commonality, and the energy of the group enhances the
treatment for everyone.
Veterans are experiencing
benefits such as a full night’s
sleep for the first time in years and fewer bad dreams. They are
reporting improved mental clarity, less anxiety and a reduction in
stress. AWB is now working with acupuncturists around the country who
plan to open local clinics in their communities.
The potential of this
program is enormous. History has shown that the
long term impact of war takes a tremendous toll for decades. By
providing free acupuncture treatments to veterans currently returning
from war, we can play a part in preventing history from repeating
itself, and by providing treatments to veterans from past wars and
conflicts, we can be a part in helping mend the psychological wounds of
the past.
The beauty of acupuncture
is that it is a simple, low-cost
modality offering immediate, effective, and easily accessible treatment
for large numbers of people. Acupuncture is a tool that can work
harmoniously with other more conventional treatment modalities such as
counseling and medication.
If you are interested in
getting involved with the Veterans Project
please send an email to veterans@acuwithoutborders.org
or call
505.286.0111.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Now
Available: The AWB Veterans Project Field Manual
This is a
comprehensive, step-by-step guide to setting up a Community
Style Acupuncture Veterans Clinic. Born of AWB's experience in the
field in New Orleans and full of useful documents, consent forms,
safety protocols, press release templates, posters and more.
The Manual will be a "Working Document" which will allow us to update
it with addenda as we all learn and grow with the Veterans Project, so
keep us updated on your challenges and your progress!
Cost:
- Free PDF file to AWB Training attendees and paid registrants.
request
