PTSD Complementary & Alternative Therapies

"Who then can so softly bind up the wound of another as he who has felt the same wound himself"  Thomas Jefferson

“Who then can so softly bind up the wound of another as he who has felt the same wound himself” Thomas Jefferson

OUR THOUGHTS ON COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Prior to working on Veterans Cause I probably wouldn’t have been as receptive to these therapies as I am now.  I have seen the results and they fill volumes.  We interview each therapist and can assure all, that these fine people have our veterans best interest in mind.  Many are veterans themselves or in some way associated with veteran issues prior to our meeting.

The VA will not approve or pay for these Alternative Therapies as they are not evidence based.   I have spoken to many of the top personnel of traditional veteran service providers and they encourage me to continue what I’m doing and that they have seen very positive results from these unconventional therapies.      Scott J. Fonner

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We have available therapies, often unavailable to veterans, by several thoughtful, caring, and talented supporters.

Acupuncture –  Current research suggests that acupuncture may be an effective treatment option for PTSD. One randomized controlled trial on the use of acupuncture for PTSD on the civilian population demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms scores from baseline to end-treatment in the acupuncture group. Additionally, treatment effects for depression, anxiety, and impairment in the acupuncture group improved significantly more than the WLC group. Studies assessing acupuncture’s role in mitigating individual symptoms of PTSD, such as migraines, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, demonstrate significant reductions in these symptoms for the studies’ participants. Clinical and experimental data also suggest that at least some acupuncture clinical results are mediated in the central nervous system. fMRI and PET studies on acupuncture at specific acupuncture points have demonstrated significant fMRI neuronal signal reduction in the limbic system. This study could possibly explain the sedating effects of acupuncture on patients with anxiety disorders, which could be an effective treatment plan for PTSD patients with severe hyperarousal.

Reiki – rākē   Veterans have the opportunity to be treated to this Eastern natural healing process by local volunteers who have been trained in this proven therapy.  Sounds wild to you?  One of our Vietnam Veterans just had his 3rd. treatment and finds it to be one of the most helpful / relaxing things he has done to date.

EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a fairly new, nontraditional type of psychotherapy. It’s growing in popularity, particularly for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD often occurs after experiences such as military combat, physical assault, rape, or car accidents.        Although research continues, EMDR remains controversial among some health care professionals.

At first glance, EMDR appears to approach psychological issues in an unusual way. It does not rely on talk therapy or medications. Instead, EMDR uses a patient’s own rapid, rhythmic eye movements. These eye movements dampen the power of emotionally charged memories of past traumatic events.

Harmonic Sound – Lapis Studio Serenity Through Sound – Using Himalayan Singing Bowls, gongs, voice and other Nepalese, Tibetan, Hawaiian and Native American sound tools we facilitate one’s ability to awaken within themselves ancient knowledge and wisdom. The holistic resonance of bowls and gongs activate self acceptance and inner peace

EFT –  Emotional Freedom Techniques (sometimes called Tapping) is an emotional version of acupuncture, except we don’t use needles.  Instead, we stimulate certain meridian points on the body by tapping on them with our fingertips.  This has shown repeatedly to reduce the conventional therapy process from months or years down to minutes, hours or a few sessions.

T’ai Chi – In PTSD, the stress response system is out of balance: the sympathetic branch is over-active and the parasympathetic branch is underactive. Specific breathing practices can quiet the sympathetic branch and, at the same time, activate the parasympathetic branch. This is critically important because the parasympathetic system calms down the stress response system, reduces emotional over-activity, and provides soothing, healing, anti-inflammatory effects for the mind and the body.

Wellness – Diet, chemical intake, exercise, spiritual guidance from a Marine veteran who will guide you to a healthy and meaningful life.  Positive lifestyle guide.

Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.

“…a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” – The World Health Organization.

“a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential.” – The National Wellness Institute

Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth.

Why Wellness Matters – Maintaining an optimal level of wellness is absolutely crucial to live a higher quality life. Wellness matters. Wellness matters because everything we do and every emotion we feel relates to our well-being. In turn, our well-being directly affects our actions and emotions. It’s an ongoing circle. Therefore, it is important for everyone to achieve optimal wellness in order to subdue stress, reduce the risk of illness and ensure positive interactions.

One thought on “PTSD Complementary & Alternative Therapies

  1. Rozo

    Hi. I talked to Scott the other night. I’m wondering if he can call me when he’s got some free time. The number I can be reached at , rt now anyway, is, I left with him. Thnx R.
    P.S. You might want to check out the site LifeAfterWar.org and the book, Close To Home.
    The first is a Blog, both written by Britta Reque- Dragicevic, someone who Reilly “gets it”… A Real Vet at Heart. Read some of the words, bro. This one’s got help for us and it’s offered for free, only!!!!!
    Don’t tell Britta tht I said this, but, whoever this person is kind of reminds me of myself pre-combat, or pre-dealing with my feelings about it. Smart, kind, giving, honest, multitalented, and using most of her life energy to heal self and others (like us)! Yeah, she’s a she, but, damn, she gets it!
    That book could be a way to get Vets into your group (s); as a forum to discuss their thoughts on this book, Close to Home, n eventually, maybe to share from some of the 2page chapter closers of blank pages entitled: What’s Going Through Your Mind… Something like that. I should know, I’ve begun the book via the free PDF Download on her site

    .I do hope to get out there and participate in your program. It sounds like it could take more energy than I have rt now to replicate your program near myself. Have any contacts who cld hlp?

    The healing of our body, mind, relationships, environs, lives seem crucial for us in gaining or regaining our senses of purpose and power in this lifetime. LifeAfterWar.org speaks to this, and gives hope to we who have suffered in silence, afraid of rejection, alienation, worse than that which we provide ourselves with… It is a place to anonymously share thoughts and feelings, whatever… And, it may help draw people to the group, which I think is needed if only to acknowledge each others presence on this planet as valid, valuable, And NOT FUCKING ALONE!!!!

    WHAT, we can RISK our LIVES in unfamiliar territory to help save each others lives, but we can’t be brave enough to do the Exact same thing on the soil of our homeland, to stop the ——-ing suicides, quick or just drawn out as we seek to numb out a HUGE part of Who We ARE And WILL ALWAYS BE????

    NO, TO ME THAT’S BULLSHIT. Feel free to edit, but I think what I’ve got to say here Means Something! 1: I do NOT WANT TO JUST SURVIVE ANYMORE. I WANT TO LIVE, ACKNOWLEDGE the PARTS Of MY LIFE THAT ARE AS REAL AS THE AIR I’M BREATHING.
    Top Secret Ops, Black Ops… Who the F cares? We fought for Freedom. We Do Not Have To Spill State Secrets to Validate Each Others experiences in and through combat, experiences that DON’T JUST END BECAUSE WE’RE Physically Home…
    NO ONE LEAVES COMBAT, WAR, THE MILITARY, WITHOUT BEING WOUNDED. THIS IS A F—-ing FACT!

    Yeah, Maybe we LOOK FINE on the outside, but what about the memories we can’t shake. What about the Rage, the frickin Fear we were taught We shouldn’t feel as bad ass Marines, Army, Guard, Etc.!?! What about the PTSD (denied or sort of acknowledged) that affects our every relationship, sense of safety or the lack of it wherever we be? How about the trouble Sleeping?! The memories of site, smell, visuals, emotions (stuff we literally had NO TIME TO DEAL WITH AT THE TIME WHEN SO MUCH F—-ing —— HAD To BE FACED THEN????
    ARE WE GOING TO LET OUR LIVES SHINE LIKE A LIGHT, OR END IN THE DARK? IT CAN BE A CHOICE TODAY. IT IS IF YOU’VE READ THIS FAR.
    YOU’D DO ANYTHING TO SAVE A FELLOW WARRIORS LIFE, EVEN TODAY, YES? But What?–Not if it means sitting in a room with other Warriors to Create and GET THROUGH THIS PART OF OUR TRAINING, JUST BECAUSE IT’S TEN TIMES HARDER TO DO THAN ANY BOOT CAMP, OR SPECIAL FORCES TRAINING??? BULLSHIT! YOU’RE STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW. ISN’T IT TIME TO START PROVING IT TO BENEFIT YOUR SELF, YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, OTHERS, YOUR COUNTRY WHICH STILL NEEDS YOU, AS A NEW KIND OF WARRIORS?

    F—-ing SIGN ME UP! HOW ABOUT YOU?

    Hoping to be in contact Scott, the guy who helped create a place and a whole network of support/ team of backup forces to get US through THIS SIDE OF THE WAR(S).

    Thanks, man, R.

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