Acupuncturists Respond to Mental Health Crisis for Veterans and Active Duty Military

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Jan. 23, 2014 - PRLog -- Silver Spring, MD – The Military Stress Recovery Project (http://www.acuwithoutborders.org/) (MSRP) announces the opening of a new community acupuncture clinic in the Washington, D.C. area. Beginning February 5, 2014, Kay Madsen, owner of the Family Acupuncture Center (http://www.familyacupuncturecenter.org/) in Silver Spring, Maryland joins the Military Stress Recovery Project (MSRP), a nationwide campaign to provide free acupuncture treatment to returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and active duty service members.

The Military Stress Recovery Project (http://www.acuwithoutborders.org/) began in 2006 with a pilot clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Today, 27 clinics operate nationwide treating servicemembers returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, and all other past conflicts or wars as well as veterans' family members.

Thousands of military veterans suffer from serious acute traumatic stress – they may be having flashbacks, panic, insomnia, suicidal ideation, or any number of symptoms. A June, 2007, Washington Post article reported that “nearly 40 percent of soldiers, a third of Marines and half of the National Guard members” are reporting symptoms of mental-health issues.

Acupuncturists Without Borders, who is coordinating the program began by treating residents, volunteers, relief workers, first responders and military personnel following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) offers treatment based on the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) ear protocol, which has proven to be extremely powerful in alleviating symptoms of 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.

At clinics around the country, veterans are experiencing benefits such as a full nights sleep for the first time in years and fewer bad dreams.  They are reporting improved mental clarity, less anxiety and a reduction in stress. Acupuncture is currently being investigated at Water Reed National Military Medical Center as a viable treatment for PTSD in returning veterans and the military has started using acupuncture in the battlefield to help with pain.

Family Acupuncture Center (http://www.familyacupuncturecenter.org/) in Silver Spring will be offering the Community Style Acupuncture which consists of:

Acupuncture needles on ears only- using the NADA auricular protocol.
Treatment to help reduce stress and anxiety; help with trouble sleeping; provide a
general sense of well-being and make you feel better.
30 – 45 minute treatment / group setting.
All needles are pre-packaged, sterile, and disposed of after use.

Family Acupuncture Clinic hours will be 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, beginning February 5, 2014 at 13415 Connecticut Ave., Suite 204, Silver Spring, MD 20906.  To register, patients should contact Kay Madsen at 240-393-5420.
Website:  www.familyacupuncturecenter.or (http://www.familyacupuncturecenter.org/)g
e-mail: familyacupuncture@verizon.net