Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) vision is to foster the creation of stable, peaceful global communities through its community-based acupuncture services and training which interrupt the cycles of unresolved trauma.
AWB’s mission is to provide immediate relief and recovery acupuncture services to global communities that are in crisis from disaster or human conflict.
This community based program was initially pulled together to help victims deal with the trauma in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. The program deemed itself so beneficial that it has grown into something much bigger. In addition to helping the people of New Orleans, they got to help victims of the Southern California fires last Fall and are in the process of creating a Veterans Program that helps returning vets deal with trauma in a group setting.
Community based acupuncture is set on the foundation that people who have experienced trauma, in whatever form that may be, will heal better in a group setting.
Done in groups, community acupuncture can help break the isolation often felt after traumatic events. Even those who resist traditional treatment for Acute Stress Disorder are often willing to receive acupuncture. Treatments support rebuilding strength and resiliency, essential for the recovery process. Acupuncture treatments have a calming effect and help those struggling with anger, hostility and frustration.
AWB is also working on integrating community acupuncture into the standard disaster relief protocols used both for victims of the crisis as well as emergency responders.
I encourage you to visit their website and if you feel so inclined to even donate a little money to the cause!
