WHY USE EAR ACUPUNCTURE AFTER TRAUMATIC EVENTS

Laura Cooley, L.Ac., Reg. NADA Trainer

TREATS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY:

It can be used on all those who may be involved in a traumatic incident in a group setting:
The survivors.
The mental health and medical staff.
The firefighters, police and emergency personnel attending to incident.

Treatments have been delivered in conjunction with services provided by the Red Cross, Medical Reserve
Corp, International Association of Fire Fighters, EMS departments, VOAD, CISM teams, and more,
during declared states of emergency.

SIMPLE, SAFE, NO SIDE EFFECTS, NO SCREENING NEEDED: A simple protocol of 5

acupuncture points on the ear, referred to as the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification
Association) protocol, has been safely and effectively used for over 43 years, in more than 2,000
programs around the world. The Miami Drug Diversion Court performed over 1 million treatments in one
program, and no malpractice claims have been filed with the primary provider of US acupuncture
malpractice insurance. St Vincent’s’ Hospital in lower Manhattan treated over 40,000 people following
the 9/11 attacks, with no screening and without incident. The most common forms of trauma resolution
techniques require screening to eliminate those the technique may harm.

FLEXIBLE: Can be done anywhere, no need for special facilities or equipment, easily integrated into a
wide range of settings: medical facilities, community settings, natural disaster situations, outdoor clinics
in developing countries, wherever people are waiting in line for other services.

ACCESSIBLE: Placing needles in the ear, recipients can easily receive a treatment fully dressed (for
e.g.: on the scene emergency workers who need a break). Large groups can easily be done, with one
practitioner treating 15 people an hour. Can provide immediate “treatment on demand” without lengthy
intake or any screening. Neither do those receiving need wait to feel its impact, as relaxation generally
occurs within minutes.

Many disciplines of healthcare professionals can be trained easily in this technique for greater access to
this service. NADA has trained more 10,000 people to do ear acupuncture worldwide.

ECONOMICAL: Treatment supplies are .40 cents, or less, per person.

CAN HELP WITH CHALLENGING MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN A DISASTER: Community

Clinics have shown a reduction in hypertension. Emergency evacuations leave some people without their
medications in a temporary shelter. We have 2 techniques on the ear that can lower blood pressure.
Likewise, those addicted to opiates or maintaining with Methadone and Bupenorphrine will likely be
disconnected from their prescribed medication in a disaster or shelter situation, as well as those actively
using and not in treatment. We can assist in calmer withdrawal when opiates are suddenly decreased.

ACCEPTABLE: No Stigma need apply, no one need reveal mental illness or addiction to receive
services. This allows those typically resistant to seeking help to receive help. It’s surprising acceptance
across many cultures and classes makes ear acupuncture an excellent outreach tool and a useful bridge to
other needed services.
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Copyright 2003 © Laura Cooley, LAc Laura@AcuAid.net www.malula.net (603) 276-9158

Survivors of traumatic events report ear acupuncture to be useful in alleviating symptoms of Acute Stress
Disorder. Surveys show:
Improved mental clarity.
Improved alertness.
Improved ability to sleep.
Improved ability to cope.
Reduction of depression and anxiety.
Reduction of flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.
Reduction of aches and pains, muscle spasms.

Physically, acupuncture stimulates production of the body’s natural opiates and increases neurotransmitter
activity. Many pain syndromes and muscular spasms can be improved and/or alleviated. There is evidence
that acupuncture stimulates the immune system.

Psychologically, one’s capacity to cope with stress increases, and hyper-alert/hyper-vigilant states can be
released, potentially interrupting the process of developing PTSD. The many forms of trauma that befall
humans are known to impact our ability to be resilient, our physical health and the capacity to care for
ourselves effectively. Coping strategies that impact physical health, such as addiction and overeating, add
to our beleaguered health care system’s challenges when attempting to address behavior that results in
poor health outcomes and requires behavioral change to improve. Ear acupuncture is a tool that has the
capacity to be useful in the intersection of where psychology and physiology meet, addressing both at the
same time.

NON-VERBAL: It is a non-verbal treatment, and requires little or no conversation to be delivered and

received. As a wellness treatment, the focus is on strengthening a person, and in regulating the nervous
system, not in establishing a mental health diagnosis. This avoids the stigma of receiving mental health
services. Its surprising acceptance across many cultures and classes makes ear acupuncture an excellent
outreach tool and a useful bridge to other needed services.

PROVEN TRACK RECORD: Ear acupuncture was used by St Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan
following the events of 9/11 as a way of reducing insomnia and offering relief to their medical staff, city
residents and emergency personnel. For 6 years, St Vincent’s accepted anyone who walked through their
doors, and without any advertising delivered over 40,000 treatments. Following 9/11, FEMA emergency
workers utilized acupuncture and massage 24 hours a day on location at ground zero. Ten years later,
New York City Fire Dept provides acupuncture to their fire fighters. It was included among the services
the Red Cross 9/11 Mental Health program provided. Survivors of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma
were also entitled to ear acupuncture treatments, provided for by Red Cross funds.

Ear acupuncture has, and is, being used on Lakota reservations in the aftermath of a series of tornadoes,
by Lakota Search and Rescue personnel as a de-stressing, re-vitalizing and coping tool, in the Honduras
after a hurricane displaced 2 million people, and in refugee camps in Burma. Acupuncture has been
shown to be effective in treating refugees in the US suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In
Louisiana, residents affected by the Gulf Oil Spill have received services, and demand continues to grow.

For info about training, ear acupuncture, obtaining services for individuals or a group, contact:

Laura Cooley, LAc

Reg NADA Trainer
Laura@AcuAid.net
603 276 9158