“Without the brave efforts of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines and their families, this Nation, along with our allies around the world, would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly and live so freely.”
Lane Evans
Healing Our Troops
From the Globe and Mail Archives: Romeo Dallaire talks Mental Health and PTSD
‘It’s an upward battle:’ Hamilton vets talk about struggle with PTSD
Rash of suicides among Canadian soldiers puts post-traumatic stress in spotlight.
An inspired group program for Military Personnel designed to….
inspire hope, healing, resiliency and self-care through scientifically-validated techniques including:
- Relaxation techniques
- Meditation
- Guided imagery
- Biofeedback
- Breathing techniques for vitality and relaxation
- Healthy eating
- Physical activity
- Sleep strategies
- Self-expression and reflection
Did you know that up to 80% of all illnesses are related to chronic stress?
Numerous studies published since 1960 demonstrate the efficacy of mind-body medicine techniques in lowering blood pressure and stress hormone levels, relieving pain and improving immune functioning, as well as improvements in clinical conditions such as HIV, cancer, insomnia, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is Mind-Body Medicine?
Using scientifically-validated techniques based on the research and teachings of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, this program taught by Erika Caspersen is designed to enhance each person’s capacity for self-care and self-awareness. These techniques include meditation, guided imagery, mindful eating, biofeedback, and the use of drawings, journals and movement to express thoughts and feelings.
Program Format:
Program is delivered in small group format (maximum 10 participants) 2 hours weekly over a 10 week period. The program is modeled after the successful Healing our Troops Program created by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM) www.cmbm.org. The program allows participants to discuss difficult lifestyle challenges in a supportive, non-stigmatized environment.
Evidence and Support:
A strong body of evidence suggests that 80% of all illnesses are related to chronic stress. Numerous studies published since 1960 demonstrate the efficacy of mind-body medicine techniques in lowering blood pressure and stress hormone levels, relieving pain and improving immune functioning, as well as improvements in clinical conditions such as HIV, cancer, insomnia, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury (USA) awarded the Center for Mind-Body Medicine a $400,000 research grant to study the CMBM’s trauma healing model with veterans returning from Iraq & Afghanistan.
This article, “A Fighting Chance”, does loving thoughtful justice to the Center of Mind-Body Medicine, to the vision of its founder Dr. James Gordon, and to the many courageous veterans positively impacted by this work.
The model was featured in the September 26, 2012 New York Times article” For Veterans, a Surge of New Treatments for Trauma“, which describes the model as, “… the one with the strongest evidence that it works to cure PTSD.”
NOTE: Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) recognizes Registered Kinesiologists in Ontario as approved health professionals. Please check your VAC Benefit Program eligibility status for coverage of this program.
NOTE: Canada Revenue Agency (Cra) – lists Kinesiologists as Authorized Medical Practitioners for the Purposes of Claiming Medical Expenses: Persons receiving services of a Registered Kinesiologist in Ontario can claim it as an eligible medical expense. Patients/clients can only claim the part of an expense for which they have not been or will not be reimbursed. However, they can claim the full expense if the reimbursement is included in their income, such as a benefit shown on a T4 slip, and they did not deduct the reimbursement anywhere else on their income tax and benefit return.
Click here for more information on the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
Resources:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Canadian Mental Health Association
Transforming Healthcare - From the Inside Out 