Massachusetts acupuncturists are joining together to provide healing for the community in the aftermath of the tragic bombings. Participating acupuncturists are offering free acupuncture treatments to those in need. The development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a possible result of both man-made and natural disasters. A non-profit organization, Acupuncturists Without Borders, has implemented trauma-specific acupuncture treatment protocols after past disasters like the earthquake in Haiti and Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina. They have organized the Military Stress Recovery Project to assist veterans recover from the impact of war. A temporary acupuncture clinic was established in Newtown, CT to provide stress relief to the community after their tragedy.
In Wayland, several acupuncturists have volunteered to participate in the trauma relief effort. A list of participating acupuncturists has been published by Boston Acupuncture Trauma Relief on their website.
Acupuncture was developed over 2,000 years ago as a medical treatment therapy in China. Its many applications today are beyond the scope of this article. An Ear Acupuncture Stress Reduction Clinic was established by St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York to treat the community after 9/11. This quote describes the experiences of community members: “…acupuncture felt safe and helpful. For many it was their first exposure to acupuncture. Individuals described the effect of the 5 needles as calming, somehow providing a sense of great relief of sadness and fear, and clearly helping to restore sleep. Perhaps our favorite quote was: “it felt as if someone hit the reset buttons”.” – Dolan, S.J. and Menolascino, S. (November, 2010). The Legacy of St. Vincents Hospital for Trauma Recovery. National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). Retrieved from http://www.acudetox.com/news-from-guidepoints/101-the-legacy-of-st-vincents-hospital-for-trauma-recovery
Boston Acupuncture Trauma Relief has been organized by Massachusetts licensed acupuncturists with the assistance of the New England School of Acupuncture to provide free post-traumatic stress relief to anyone affected by the bombings at the Boston Marathon. Participating Wayland acupuncturists:
Marisa Fanelli, L.Ac., www.healingpointtherapeutics.com
Linda Lofaro, L.Ac., www.wholeselfacupuncture.com
Kathryn Loomis, L.Ac., www.loomisacupuncture.com
contributed by:
Kathryn Loomis, Licensed Acupuncturist, National Board Certified in Chinese Herbology, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, owner of Loomis Acupuncture in Wayland & instructor at the New England School of Acupuncture (Newton)
