Acupuncturists
B
without
By Sara Ruth Kane, L.Ac.
orn out of the horror of Hurricane Katrina, Acupuncturists Without Borders is an organization of vol- unteer acupuncturists who go wherever there is a need. Diana Fried, a New Mexico acupuncturist, saw the suffering of the people in New Orleans and knew she had a way to help. She put out a call to the acupuncture community letting them know she wanted to bring treat- ment to those along the devastated Gulf Coast. She received an overwhelming response from practitioners who wanted to volunteer. However, the mission statement of the organization shows she was already looking well beyond Katrina: “To foster the creation of stable, peaceful global communities through its community-based acupuncture services and training which interrupt the cycles of unresolved trauma.” Treatments are given in a group setting and are free of charge. Patients are seated comfortably, and are fully clothed. After a simple yet powerful treatment consisting of five tiny needles on each ear, recipients close their eyes and relax quietly for 30 to 45 minutes. This world-renowned NADA protocol (named for the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) was devel- oped to help addicts go through detox, and has since been found of great value for supporting health while bringing peace and calm to those caught in the aftermath of any stressful or trau- matic situation, including PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Many symptoms are reduced, including pain and sleep and digestive problems. Diana says, “People would say they could not remember when they felt so relaxed, and people even told me that we had saved their lives.” The ongoing work in Greater New Orleans has so far reached nearly 8,000 and is still urgently needed.
Borders
AWB reaches out to diverse and
underserved communities while also offering treatment to police officers, government personnel and relief work- ers. The new Military Stress Recovery Project offers free treatment to recent and past veterans and their families. Raul Rojas, a Vietnam vet, had been disabled with PTSD. He said, “I had spent years suffering from high anxiety. I believe that because of the acupunc- ture 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.” Other vets report “a full night’s sleep for the first time in years and fewer bad dreams.” AWB is also at work in Haiti, where people in field hospitals with crush injuries suffered in the earthquake are
getting pain relief, greater well-being and hope. Often their family members see the change and then come for treat- ment as well. Diana Fried has a broader vision of the work of service groups like Acupuncturists Without Borders. She believes that “our collective response to humanitarian crises, as global citizens in the 21st century, represents perhaps our greatest opportunity to heal many of the roots of violence and, therefore, to sow the seeds of world peace.”
Acupuncturists Without Borders de- pends on donations. Please consider supporting this work. For information about the organization and how to volunteer or donate, visit
www.acuwithoutborders.org.
natural awakenings
Annual Guide 2010
27
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