One in five Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or major depression. Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan report symptoms of PTSD or major depression, yet only half have sought treatment.

A national effort is required to improve the capacity of the health care system to provide effective health care to service members and veterans. The effort must include the military, veteran and civilian health care systems, and should focus on providing high-quality treatment options to service members and veterans.

Since October 2001, about 1.6 million U.S. troops have deployed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with many exposed to prolonged periods of combat-related stress or traumatic events.

Acupuncture & Massage College will be conducting an acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy study for the treatment of PTSD among military personnel and veterans. This study will begin in September and is currently recruiting participants.

The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy as treatments for the reduction of PTSD symptoms. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups. Group A will receive acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy, Group B will receive acupuncture alone. Sessions will include assessments of PTSD symptoms.

A total of 100 volunteers will be selected to participate in the study. Participants will receive up to 24 acupuncture treatments free of charge. Participants who are enrolled in the group receiving Chinese herbs in addition to acupuncture will receive acupuncture free of charge but will have to pay for the cost of Chinese herbs.

Dr. Richard Browne, acupuncture physician and school president, will coordinate the two-month study. The study will be conducted at the campus clinic, located at 10506 N. Kendall Drive, Miami. Call (305) 595-9500 to register for participation in the program.

Classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD can result from the experience or witnessing of traumatic or life-threatening events such as terrorist attack, violent crime, torture, genocide, natural disaster, and military combat.

Symptom clusters of PTSD include re-experiencing of the event (intrusive memories, flashbacks), emotional numbing and/or behavioral avoidance of trauma-related stimuli and hyper-arousal (difficulty sleeping, irritability, being easily startled).

PTSD has multiple categorizations. Persons whose work exposes them to traumatic events or who treat trauma survivors may develop secondary PTSD (compassion fatigue). These occupations include emergency medicine specialists, police officers, firefighters, search-and rescue personnel, and disaster investigators. Complex PTSD, also referred to as ´disorder of extreme stress´ results from exposure to prolonged traumatic circumstances, such as the ongoing threat of insurgent attacks among military personnel currently in active deployment.

According to the National Center for PTSD (US Department of Veterans Affairs), about 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in recent war zones experience combat-induced PTSD, a categorization of PTSD more difficult to treat than PTSD caused by other traumas.

Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD, alleviating symptoms including insomnia, stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also reduce body pain without medication side effects. Use of complementary therapies (acupuncture, massage and herbal/food supplements) is widespread among active military veterans.

Study participants will be subjected to a medical history, a physical exam and a series of questionnaires on symptoms and lifestyle related to PTSD. Call (305) 595-9500 to register today. AMC is also recruiting for a stop smoking study. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College´s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso.