About Acupuncturists Without Borders

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About Acupuncturists Without Borders

 

Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) is an organization devoted to helping

alleviate the suffering, and to supporting the health, strength, and

self-sufficiency, of communities in need around the world through acupuncture

treatments and training. We focus on treatments for trauma. We respond to

disasters with community-style acupuncture. We also create long-term training

programs for communities worldwide (where the situation allows) that have

experienced war, conflict or disaster. We work at the invitation of local

organizations to bring these programs to communities.

 

Acupuncturists ease post-Katrina stress for residents, relief workers

 

Ancient remedy employed by Acupuncturists Without Borders after modern

tragedy

 

NEW ORLEANS, La. Feb 3, 2006 -- The idea that pins and needles can help

people may be a revelation for many, but Acupuncturists Without Borders has used

the ancient healing art to soothe the stress, aches, pains, tired minds and

muscles of residents, relief workers and National Guardsmen struggling under the

weight of surviving and rebuilding a still devastated New Orleans, in the wake

of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.

 

Not as well known as the doctors' group with a similar name,

Acupuncturists Without Borders, founded after Katrina hit New Orleans, has been

working in New Orleans since October 2005. Rotating teams of volunteer

acupuncturists from across the country come to offer their unique services with

free community-style acupuncture provided in health clinics, food distribution

centers, Red Cross shelters, mobile units, churches, and the tent cities and

hotels housing relief workers.

 

'Put a pin in it'

 

" New Orleans remains a very difficult place to live and work. People are

under tremendous pressure to keep things together and we are doing what we can

to help. We also bring a different understanding to what 'put a pin in it'

means, " said Diana Fried, executive director of Acupuncturists Without Borders.

She also stressed the practitioners with her non-profit organization are

experienced, licensed, and follow federal treatment guidelines.

 

Treatments last from 30-60 minutes with fully clothed patients sitting in

chairs. The protocol AWB uses is with needles on the ears and other accessible

body points. Done in groups, community-style 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.

" The treatments support rebuilding strength and resiliency that is essential for

the recovery process. Acupuncture treatments have a calming effect and help

those struggling with anger, hostility and frustration, " said Fried. The group's

work is also rather unique: It uses a timeless Asian art to serve Blacks,

Whites, Latinos and Asians that are all part of New Orleans' racial gumbo. " We

see people of every color, different cultures, and enjoy doing our small part to

help make the city whole, " Fried added.

 

Click here to read stories from volunteers and see photos

 

Events for Media Coverage

 

Acupuncturists Without Borders offers services where they are needed.

Sessions are planned for FRIDAY, Feb. 3 at the following New Orleans locations:

Habitat for Humanity building site, 4320 D'Hemencourt, 10-11 a.m.; Emergency

Communities, St. Bernard Parish, on Judge Perez (on right across from Wal-Mart),

9-11 am and 12:30 - 3 p.m.; 9th Ward, Common Ground Clinic, Claiborne St., 12:30

- 3 p.m; Vietnamese Festival, Queen Mary of Vietnam Church, Willowbrook Drive,

Michoud, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Latino Health Outreach Program (with Common

Ground), corner of Canal and Dauphine, in front of Walgreen's that is not open,

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

 

Sessions are planned for SATURDAY, Feb. 4 at these locations: Red Cross

workers at Comfort Suites Hotel, Veteran's Blvd., Kenner, La., 10:30 a.m. - 12

noon; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Kenner Clinic at Monte de Olivos Church (Latino clinic)

Power and David Sts., in Kenner, La., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.; Vietnamese Festival,

Queen Mary of Vietnam Church, Willowbrook Drive, Michoud, New Orleans, all day.

DIRECTIONS TO ALL SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE AND OTHER MEDIA AVAILABILITY CAN BE

ARRANGED. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROJECT.

 

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Straight Words Communications

 

Richard Muhammad

 

Communications Manager

 

email: straightwordscommunications

 

phone: 773-616-5058

Acupuncturists Without Borders

 

Diana Fried

 

Executive Director

 

Email: info

 

phone: 504-232-7091

 

 

Include information on trademarks here in fine print.

 

 

 

 

 

Ph. + 61(0) 2 99299329

Five Element Acupuncture Information Site www.5element.com.au

Five Element Seminars www.5element.com.au/seminars