Stress Relief for Veterans  
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In my acupuncture practice at Cedars-Sinai, and through Iraq Rose.org and the Los Angeles Veterans Acupuncture Clinic for PTSD, we have helped many Veterans with post traumatic stress.  These Cellular Meditation CDs are an adjunct to conventional and complementary therapies, to help our veterans to reintegrate their neural system of endorphins and neurotransmitters, with practical advice, innovative self-help exercises, and informative inspiration to recover and optimize their life after war.
 

Veterans' PTSD Clinic

The LAVA Clinic (Los Angeles Veterans Acupuncture project) offers acupuncture treatments for military and war vets with PTSD and related issues. We invite veterans from all eras and conflicts who suffer from post traumatic stress, to be treated for a $5.donation.  The relief and relaxation resulting from the simple ear treatment is well documented in clinics across the country. This balances the brain chemistry and gets the endorphins circulating normally again. The statistics of post combat suicides is deplorable. We want to rehabilitate our soldiers to return to normal civilian life.

Location: Emperor's College
1807-B Wilshire Blvd. (corner 18th)
2nd floor, room C
Santa Monica, Ca. 90403
Tel: 818-359-6868
www.veteransacupuncture.org

This clinic is operated by Iraq Rose, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education of acupuncturists for the treatment of veterans at risk for PTSD, founded in Oct 2007. Iraq Rose is engaged in education, research, and healthcare in the specialized area of military service members and special issues related to this population. The company was founded by Martha Densmore, RN, L.Ac. when she joined the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. Iraq Rose is in part a tribute to The DAR. "Taking it one step further" is the Iraq Rose motto for a DAR modern era. Dr. Rosenblatt helped in the co-founding and has served as Vice President, Secretary and board member.

 

PTSD, Veterans and Stress Release CD

PTSD has been known by different labels in past wars. In the Civil War, it was called “Soldier’s Heart.” There is an excellent organization by that name on the East Coast who help Veteran sufferers. In World War II they called it “Shell Shock.”  Finally, today it is considered an actual syndrome. It is pandemic among our returning warriors and we need to address this problem. Drugs can give temporary relief but they are not the final answer. A recent New York Times article attests to the downside of such pharmaceutical approaches.  We need to provide other modalities and therapies.

“Stress Release for Veterans” CDs I and II is a self-help adjunct to conventional and complementary approaches. It provides a whole developmental track for the healing process because the relaxation affirmations sink into the psyche upon repeated listening. It is clear common sense, cognitive and behavioral advice to help individuals with PTSD to recognize and adjust trauma-related thoughts and beliefs. There are many ways for the conscious mind to access and modify depressed or anxious states. Sufferers see the relationships between thoughts and feelings and can practice new ways of perceiving their situation. They learn to recognize any negative self-talk and triggers that set off bad feelings and memories. Deeper self-observation exposes their “hot buttons.”

The CDs have a total body approach. PTSD symptoms can worsen physical health problems. For example, a few studies have shown a relationship between PTSD and heart trouble. By getting help for PTSD, one can improve overall physical health. The deep breathing helps break up chronic patterns of muscular tension and chronic tightening of the fascia that interferes with the free flow of biological energies through the body. Repressed traumas can be stored in a body part, causing it to hurt or not function properly. This tightening can cause distortions of mental awareness and even anesthetize whole aspects of body and mind. But these painful thoughts are "state-specific" such that if the patient can move into a relaxed state, the tensions can melt away and they suddenly feel freed up.  As a result, the healing energy flows.
 

Sample Veterans’  Morning Meditation

Often when I wake up in the morning, my brain is already buzzing with busy thoughts, thinking of the agenda of the coming day. Or dealing with bad memories and images. I realize that my life has been extraordinary. I have been trained to protect my country and my fellow man. I have been programmed to be a highly effective warrior. I have acquired tremendous skills. My machinery is in highly responsive, reactive mode. I am alert and on the ready.

But now that I am not at the front, I need to reprogram myself for civilian life. I need to relax into an 'off duty' mode.   I have experienced tragic situations. These have left an imprint on my mind. On my emotional center. I had to participate in events that were difficult. Violent. All in the line of duty. Now I must let these images go. And be attentive to those around me Now.

It is not easy to forget these events. Psychic scars. But I know that the power of Now, when I am alive in the present moment is thousands of times more powerful than Any event of the past. Or the future. Now is the moment of my only real power.

My legacy of my life as a soldier will always be there. But right now is when I am alive. I know this is true but it is difficult to apply. Only with my breath can I make it go deeper than just my mind.

With my breath and my mind together I can achieve real chemical changes in my psyche and my whole body. I can turn on the neurotransmitters like Dopamine and Seratonin that immediately change my state. They replace the worry chemicals of Adrenalin and Cortisol. These are precious substances that I want to store and not waste on anxiety.

I breathe and feel the endorphins going into their receptor sites throughout my body. By myself, I have initiated an internal chemical change that I can feel. I know that I can do it again if this anxiety returns. I know that each time I turn the tide of these anxious feelings, I will build a cumulative effect. I feel connected and whole…
 
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