| Acupuncture has been proven effective in treating a | | | | military at the Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland |
| wide variety of ailments and recent studies have | | | | where 44 Air Force, Army doctors and Navy are |
| shown that post-traumatic stress disorder has now | | | | undergoing acupuncture trainings for emergency care |
| joined the long list of illnesses that acupuncture can | | | | in war zone hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| actually treat. | | | | But how exactly can acupuncture deliver beneficial |
| Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing art that | | | | results in treating post-traumatic stress disorder? |
| involves the stimulation of the acupuncture points | | | | To combat post-traumatic stress disorder, |
| located in the meridian pathways where the body's | | | | acupuncture rejuvenates the acupuncture points that |
| vital energy flows. These acupuncture points are | | | | are associated with the brain where the emotional |
| associated with the vital organ systems of the body. | | | | memories of the patient are stored thereby aiding |
| Earlier reports from the National Center for | | | | the patient to naturally heal from the trauma. |
| Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) | | | | Acupuncture has been proven as a gentle treatment |
| stated that acupuncture shows efficiency in treating | | | | that stimulates the emotions of the patient and |
| post-traumatic stress disorder, which was then | | | | works through the trauma without causing panic or |
| echoed by the results of a randomized controlled | | | | unpleasant flashbacks on the patient. The ear |
| study conducted by a team at the University of | | | | acupuncture, otherwise known as auricular |
| Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky. | | | | acupuncture is the commonly used form of |
| The University of Louisville School of Medicine team, | | | | acupuncture in treating post-traumatic stress disorder |
| headed by Dr. Michael Hollifield concluded that | | | | as it helps balance the Qi and helps the mind relax. |
| acupuncture treatments actually displayed the same | | | | Studies have clearly shown that post-traumatic stress |
| results as that of a cognitive-behavioral therapy. | | | | disorder acupuncture treatment is more effective |
| Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety | | | | when complemented with other treatment such as |
| disorder that is common in an environment that | | | | talk therapy, meditation, yoga, journal writing, and art |
| poses physical threats to the well being such as that | | | | therapy among others. |
| in tragedies, disasters, war zones, violent assaults, | | | | The acupuncture treatment helps the patient to start |
| and military combat, among others. | | | | processing the trauma in a more relaxed and |
| In fact, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in | | | | balanced state, while the other treatments will serve |
| Washington now requires acupuncture treatments for | | | | as support system that will provide the patient an |
| soldiers with mental and physical trauma. The US Air | | | | outlet for working through the trauma and be free |
| Force operates the sole acupuncture clinic in the | | | | from the disorder for the rest of their lives. |