Acupuncture for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome)

We are meant to be happy beings. And then life gets in the way.

Physical stress. Mental stress. Emotional stress. The harmonious interaction between mind, body and spirit is thrown into a furor. Some people seem to recover apparently well enough, while others need intervention. I used the word "apparently" since there is no such thing as complete healing from trauma without intervention. There is ALWAYS a memory of the stress or trauma at some level even though the person is "apparently" healed.

PTSD is an umbrella term given to define a whole conglomeration of symptoms that occur when a person experiences an event that is so severe that it severs the delicate energetic connection between the mind, body and spirit.

PTSD came to the forefront in relation to war veterans, but it can result from any number of traumatic events. A near drowning for example, or a rape, sexual or emotional abuse, mugging, natural disasters, car wrecks and so on. Even a school bully could have long-lasting effects on the victim.

What do PTSD sufferers experience? They could have recurring nightmares about the incident, become emotionally numb, emotionally labile, avoidance of anything that would trigger a memory of the trauma, anxieties, panic attacks….to name a few.

Here are some typical statements made by traumatized people:

• "I cannot sleep. I have to check the perimeter every hour."
• "I am afraid I will kill my wife. I startle so easily"
• "I was fine. I did not have the usual PTSD symptoms. About a year later I started to have heart palpitations. Doctors performed all kinds of tests. They could not find any cause for the palpitations."
• "I cannot have a relationship with a man."
• "I stiffen up when a man touches me."
• "I have panic attacks when I look at a large body of water.

Traditional western treatment consists of drugs and psychotherapy. Is this really sufficient?

First let us look at the drugs. Psychotropics have a variety of side effects……weight gain, loss of sexual interest, emotional numbness, gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, headaches, just to name a few. It is just because of these harmful side-effects that many of the people who need help do not seek help. In addition, people do not seek help because of the stigma attached to mental illness.

Second, in my opinion, psychotherapy is not effective when a person in unable or unwilling to recall or talk about those very experiences that caused the trauma in the first place. A person who is not centered will not be able to benefit very much from cognitive therapy. "My husband does not want to talk about the war. He thinks that will make things worse." These are typical sentiments.

Solution: A treatment is required that will mend the fracture in the mind, body, spirit axis that does not have harmful side effects, does not require the individual to consciously recall and recount painful memories, does not have a stigma attached to it, and allows the person to slowly heal from the center of his psyche.

Look into acupuncture. This ancient system of healing is beneficial for mind and body healing as well as bringing "body and soul together."

This does not mean that medications are to be dispensed with. They are powerful and therefore should be used judiciously. For example when a person is so distraught that there is a danger of suicide. Or, the person is so restless that he does need a powerful sedative that reduces him to a more manageable state. However, in concert with that treatment we need to start the painstakingly delicate task of piecing the whole person together. No other system of healing can do a better job than acupuncture. Let me explain why I feel so strongly.

Acupuncture was initially used by Buddhist monks in India for the purpose of achieving perfect harmony between the mind, body and spirit so that their efforts at attaining a Christ-like perfection are furthered. This concept has been expanded to include healing for physical and emotional ailments. For this purpose, tiny needles are placed in the body to activate the body's innate intelligence and restore peace and balance to the individual without any further suffering. The effect can be perceived immediately, but the healing will take longer.

I have been driven to write this column to reach all my brothers and sisters who have served this country in war and are still suffering from various symptoms of PTSD. The current mental health programs are obviously not working well enough because statistics show that the number of divorces in military families is up, suicides are up, and the number of veterans with chronic mental illness is up, as well as the percentage of vets who have turned to drugs and alcohol in order to numb their senses so as to not feel the hurt anymore.

It is time to look out of the box.

Copyright 2008, Rama Chittajallu, All rights reserved
2312 Western Trails Blvd. #401., Austin, TX 78745, 512-293-5388, rama1usa@netscape.net

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