Acupuncturists assist storm victims

After hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the outpouring of support focused mostly on the physical and material needs of those affected by the storms.

Local acupuncturist Brodie Welch says that emotional and mental needs have to be addressed as well.

“When people go through trauma they need support beyond just clothing and food,” she said. “But mental health is not what people want to delve into.”

In February, a fellow acupuncturist with whom Welch attended school took two weeks off from her practice to travel to Louisiana and use her acupuncture skills to help both residents and aid workers.

From severe stress and anxiety to depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Welch’s friend and other acupuncturists found a variety of needs. The organization Acupuncturists without Borders addressed some of those with free treatments.

The treatments included 30 to 60 minutes of ear acupuncture. Welch said the ear is connected to many other parts of the body, and depending on where the needles are placed, different places are affected, from the heart to the nervous system.

The same kind of ear treatment is used by acupuncturists to help clients cease using drugs and alcohol. The needles are thought to increase the release of serotonin and cause profound and long-lasting relaxation. Many patients report sleeping better and improving their ability to cope with stressful situations.

Although Welch can’t take time off work to participate in the project, she was determined to help in some way, and has committed to raising money for Acupuncturists without Borders so it can continue its work, both in Louisiana and across the country as the group plans on serving returning veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Anyone interested in donating to Acupuncturists without Borders can call Welch at 757-4868 or go to www.acuwithoutborders.org. The organization’s 501C-3 status is pending, and Welch said anyone donating before the status becomes official will retroactively receive tax credit for their donations.