It's estimated that there are some 275,000 homeless veterans in the United States - men and women who served in the armed forces at some time, but who have fallen on hard times and, as a result, are without a place to call their own. The number of homeless veterans has risen significantly in the past 25 years, and despite the best efforts of local governments and volunteers, the problem has slowly gotten worse, not better, with time.
Fortunately, several organizations exist to assist veterans and their families in times of need. In 1988, two veterans of the Vietnam War created Stand Down, an annual event designed to provide homeless veterans a wide range of basic necessities (food, clothing, and medical care), along with housing, companionship and camaraderie. Since the first Stand Down was held in San Diego, the idea of scheduling a day or series of days to care for homeless veterans has expanded nationwide, with approximately 140 similar events held across the country each year. It is now estimated that up to 100,000 veterans have received assistance at Stand Down events in the U.S.
Last year, student interns and practitioners from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine attended the Stand Down event in San Diego, providing more than 600 free massage and acupuncture treatments to veterans and their families. This year's Stand Down-San Diego promises to be even larger, and presents an opportunity for members of the community to reach out to the homeless veteran population and address other important areas of need.
The Stand Down San Diego event will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, on the football field of San Diego High School, located at 1405 Park Boulevard. Treatments will be delivered by PCOM practitioners and volunteers from 9 am to 5 pm.
For more information on Stand Down, call (800) 729-0941.
One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
Migraines are unilateral, throbbing headaches, often with concurrent nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Approximately 10% of the global population suffers from migraines, with women more than three times as likely as men to experience them. Medication remains a mainstay treatment option, making nondrug alternatives critical to safer practices. New research suggests auricular acupuncture may be one such alternative.
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How much training in gua sha did you get in acupuncture school? If it was not much more than an introduction, now is the time to revisit this powerful healing modality. I’ve found gua sha to be one of my go-to skills to address myofascial dysfunction, all sorts of pain, limited range of motion, and even to promote general well-being. Let’s discuss the keys to effective gua sha treatment, which I hope will get more acupuncturists using it in the clinic.