CAM at the WRIISCs

Jeanette E. Akhter, M.D., M.AcComplementary and Alternative

Medicine FellowWRIISC DC

Palo Alto-YOGA Louise Mahoney

Three classes One for women only.  One is chair yoga for Veterans in the VA

MOVE program 3rd class is a mixed gender mat class

Growing Demand

Class size increasing A few Veterans come 3 times/week; willing

to drive long distances Feedback from participating Veterans:

helpful for PTSD

Challenges

Space Personnel / Time

East Orange, NJ

Research project within WRIISC Planning Qigong for Veterans and probably

also for staff

(held up by credentialing of practitioner)

Additional CAM Activities

Acupuncture Biofeedback Meditation Therapeutic touch Aromatherapy Yoga

Washington, DC

Within WRIISC Acupuncture: individual full body

treatments and group ear acupuncture Zero Balancing- body work to balance

energy flow between bones, joints and soft tissues

Within WRIISC

Yoga Nidra –guided meditation practice promotes improved psychological, physical and spiritual wellbeing

Labyrinth: (experience this yourself !!) Research: “Effect of Group Ear

Acupuncture on Insomnia in OIF/OEF Veterans with PTSD”

Additional CAM Practices

Biofeedback Qigong, Tai Chi Services for Staff (via Planetree)

Ear acupuncture Body acupressure Massage Reiki

Development of our Integrative Health Center

Coordination of all CAM activities Increasing availability of CAM services to

Veterans and Staff

Challenges

Increasing demand – what a wonderful “problem”!

Personnel / time Credentialing Funding Space