The University of New Mexico is studying acupuncture and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). An article on the ongoing study is linked here.
An excerpt from the article follows:
Researchers at the University of New Mexico are continuing work on a $250,000 two-year study of the effects of acupuncture in treating PTSD. The study, which began in May, was made possible with a grant from the National Institutes of Health. If successful, it could lay the path for larger trials that incorporate Eastern and Western approaches to treating the condition.
"This is the first study I'm aware of to look at acupuncture as a modality for PTSD," said Dr. Michael Hollifield, an associate professor of psychiatry and family medicine at the university's department of psychiatry and the study's principal investigator. "To date, our research supports using acupuncture for treating PTSD symptoms, including insomnia, anxiety and depression, in addition to some pain disorders. It may do so by stimulating the body's internal opiate system, though much more research on this issue is needed."
Aiding Dr. Hollifield in his research are Nityamo Sinclair-Lian, DOM, and Teddy Warner, Ph.D., who will serve as co-investigators. Drs. Hollifield and Sinclair-Lian collaborated previously on a study on the effects of trauma in Vietnamese and Kurdish refugees. Dr. Sinclair-Lian also runs a public health pain clinic for Vietnamese refugees, and provides acupuncture detoxification for substance users at a local outreach shelter for the homeless.
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Anecdotally, as they say in the medical biz, acupuncture and other traditional healing modalities, are known to offer comfort and relief to numerous health conditions. We'll list individual acupuncturists here on this blog as we come to learn about ones who are interested in the topic; and in general, check out a comprehensive directory of specialized acupuncturists here, of a type that treats conditions affecting the body, mind and spirit.
