W – Western & Eastern Medicine
Why consider Western and Eastern medicine?
Certain Western practices and medications can help alleviate severe grief and post-traumatic symptoms such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks. Eastern medicine modalities and practitioners also assist in transformative healing by balancing the body’s qi (“chee”) and restoring the mind, body, and spirit. Many cities now have integrative medical centers that have both Western and Eastern doctors, allowing for comprehensive treatment options.
How does incorporating Western and Eastern medicine promote healing?
• By calming and regulating the nervous system
• By increasing “feel good” hormones such as serotonin and dopamine
• By improving the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep
• By increasing overall mental and physical well-being
Understanding Acupuncture – Source: Caribbean Acupuncture
“Consider medication when more and more of your energy is getting tied up in trying to keep yourself on an even keel, and attempts at self regulation through relaxation, guided imagery, physical exercise, meditation, and other cognitive-behavioral controls just aren’t doing it for you. Another indicator is when your normal eating and sleeping is compromised, or when you are enjoying nothing and every day is a struggle. It just doesn’t have to be that hard” (Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal)
-Belleruth Naparstek, LCSW
Resources
Books
- Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen
- Mind Over Meds: Know When Drugs are Necessary, When Alternatives are Better – and When to Let Your Body Heal on Its Own by Dr. Andrew Weil
- Stop Panic Attacks in 10 Easy Steps: Using Functional Medicine to Calm Your Mind and Body with Drug-Free Techniques by Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum
- The Wisdom of Your Face by Jean Haner
- Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Dr. Robert Sapolsky
Organizations
- Dr. Andrew Weil – Health and wellness, diet and nutrition, health A-Z, research, and videos.
- The Center for Mind-Body Medicine – Global trauma relief, mind-body medicine, PTSD research, and self-care.
- National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
