Thank you, veterans! Dealing with post-traumatic stress
I want to take this time to thank the men and women of uniform — the military, police officers, paramedics, fire fighters, first responders at disaster sites, and all that risk their lives for our benefit. I have never served in any similar capacity. I don’t know what it feels like to watch a building or a car blow up via bomb or fire, or to hear the screams of those who succumb. I don’t know what it feels like to have adrenaline running intensely for hours or days on end as the enemy is or may be close by. I don’t know what it feels like to see someone shot or die violently. And I don’t know what it is like to see my home in shambles because of a tornado, a storm or a devastating earthquake. I am grateful that that is not my lot. I am grateful that there are those who are willing to sacrifice the comforts we so take for granted so that my freedom and my life is preserved.
But with these trials that they choose to go through on our behalf, comes the trials afterwards. It is so prevalent that we even have a name for it: Post-Traumatic Stress. Some of what is seen, smelled, heard, or touched in the process of war or disaster (natural or man-made) never leaves the psyche. It can leave a person feeling anxious, depressed, lonely, isolated or choosing to isolate from people or activities that remind them of their experience, leaves them with a sense of foreboding or worrying excessively, irritable, impatient, angry, with or without anger outbursts, sleep deprived due to nightmares, flashbacks or restless sleep, and a host of other symptoms.
Post-traumatic stress can be life-altering. Fortunately, there is hope with acupuncture. It was discovered that a specific group of acupuncture points in the ear were instrumental in relieving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. People experience calmness, a lessening of flashbacks, anxiety and anger. They reported sleeping better, feeling an internal strength, and laughing more. Some noticed the effect immediately, while others noticed it as a cumulative effect after several treatments.
A group called “Acupuncturists Without Borders” started using these auricular acupuncture points at disaster sites, treating the victims, the first responders and others who were having a difficult time emotionally with the trauma of the situation. The results were “miraculous”! They responded to Haiti, Nepal, Katrina and other disasters.
As my way of giving back, this year I decided that I would offer a free community-style acupuncture clinic for all those who have sacrificed in service for our country. Drop by anytime 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. No appointment is needed, but a call to let us know you’re coming would be appreciated, so we can know how many to expect. If this goes well, we plan to do these clinics on a fairly regular basis in the future. This is my way of showing my respect and appreciation to all those who have suffered to keep our freedom or preserve lives. To all those in uniform: THANK YOU!
Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with over three decades of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’Alene clinic. Visit www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about her, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.