| PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a | | | | with anxiety, depression, insomnia, and lack of |
| condition where the "fight or flight" response in a | | | | concentration. |
| person becomes altered. It is caused by experiencing | | | | Treatment using Chinese medicine and acupuncture |
| or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may | | | | involves using points to help stimulate the part of the |
| persist even when the danger no longer exists. | | | | brain where emotional memories are stored as well |
| Anyone can be affected by PTSD and it can have a | | | | as help the patient to steadily process the trauma |
| crippling effect on your life. It may happen to anyone | | | | comfortably and safely. The acupuncture treatment |
| at any age. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be | | | | should be gentle enough to begin stimulating the |
| very effective in treating the symptoms as well as | | | | brain, emotions, and begin working through the |
| be an integral part of a patients support network. | | | | trauma, without actually triggering any symptoms of |
| There two ways that a person may experience | | | | panic or flashbacks. This may be accomplished with |
| PTSD: | | | | ear (auricular) acupuncture and various body points to |
| 1)A person experiences or witnesses a situation | | | | help balance the Qi and calm the mind. |
| where death or serious bodily harm was threatened | | | | Gentle massage may also be helpful before, during, or |
| to either the patient or others | | | | after the acupuncture treatment. It may help the |
| 2)The patient experiences intense fear, helplessness, | | | | patient keep a sense of being "grounded" in their |
| or horror | | | | body without triggering any symptoms. |
| PTSD symptoms may include, but are not limited to: | | | | Additionally, herbal formulas may be used to help the |
| Flashbacks, hallucinations, illusions, and feeling as if | | | | patient maintain a feeling of calmness and continue |
| the event is recurring | | | | processing the trauma in a safe and effective |
| Angry outbursts | | | | manner. |
| Obsessive thoughts | | | | All of these treatments can be greatly |
| Stressful, recurring dreams | | | | complemented with conventional talk therapy, journal |
| Marked distress caused by physical or mental | | | | writing, exercise, yoga, meditation, EMDR (Eye |
| signs that resemble the trauma | | | | Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), EFT |
| Insomnia | | | | (Emotional Freedom Technique), equestrian therapy, |
| Inability to concentrate | | | | and art therapy. The acupuncture will help you begin |
| A hyper-alert state | | | | processing the trauma as well as keep you feeling |
| Startling easily | | | | balanced, while the other therapies can help provide |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome | | | | an outlet for working through the trauma. By |
| PTSD symptoms can begin immediately after a | | | | combining the different therapies with acupuncture, |
| trauma, or manifest later, possibly even years. | | | | the patient can have a complete support system to |
| The conventional treatment for PTSD utilizes therapy | | | | help them work though the trauma and become free |
| and counseling, and sometimes medications to help | | | | of the hold PTSD has on their life. |