June is PTSD Awareness Month

There are currently over 8 million people suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the United States. People with PTSD continue to be depressed and anxious months or even years following the event.  The main treatment for patients with PTSD is psychotherapy, which may include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), or Present Centered Therapy (PCT).  At our office, we treat many veterans with PTSD.  Acupuncture helps to balance the autonomic nervous system and induces the release of dopamine and serotonin to help stabilize mood and improve sleep quality.  Patients often have to take medications to regulate serotonin levels in the nervous system, but by receiving regular acupuncture treatments can achieve the same effect naturally.  In the long run, patients are less dependent on medications and their mood will naturally improve over time.  All of this can be achieved with just 30 minutes of acupuncture a week.  I am really not biased when I say that I strongly believe everyone can benefit from acupuncture!

~ Mei-Lin Maunakea

Image Credit to Gordon Hatusupy from Burst