Current Research Projects
Operation Hero's Yoga
Past research has tied yoga to a range of health benefits including reduced stress, depression, and anxiety. Our study tests the potential for yoga to improve emotional regulation and reduce symptoms of PTSD among veterans who have not responded to other conventional types of treatments. This study offers an opportunity for veterans to engage their minds and bodies in therapy in a way that other traditional therapies do not offer. Operation Hero's Yoga utilizes the mind/body connection to address and reduce symptoms commonly experienced among veterans who have experienced trauma.
This study will compare the effects on PTSD symptoms over the course of a 20-week yoga-based mindfulness program in conjunction with talk therapy.
Aromatherapy for PTSD in Veteran Groups
Studies have shown that essential oils are effective to relieve anxiety, depression, stress, and irritability. They are easy to use and are safe when simple standard precautions are followed. Aromatherapy with essential oils is a valid and valuable tool for treating sufferers of PTSD.
This study will compare the effects on PTSD symptoms over the course of a 20-week aromatherapy-based program in conjunction with ongoing talk therapy.
Morgana's Theory
Studies have shown that high cortisol levels over weeks. months, or even years can lead to problems with inflammation and a host of mental and physical health problems, including anxiety, weight gain and heart disease.
This 8 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will investigate the stress-relieving and cortisol reduction levels associated with a specific all natural herbal blend that includes amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. This blend is specifically formulated to address the physiological process of women’s bodies in reaction to the cortisol it produces when under stress. This study group will consist of female veterans exhibiting long-term PTSD that is resistant to pharmacotherapy and conventional methods utilized by the V.A.. This herbal therapy will be in conjunction with talk therapy.
Understanding Alternative & Complimentary Health Methods
Nutritional Approaches
Massage and Manual Therapies
Nutritional Approaches
These approaches include a variety of products, such as herbs(also known as botanicals), vitamins and minerals, and probiotics.They are widely marketed, readily available to consumers, and often sold as dietary supplements.
While there are indications that some may be helpful, more needs to be learned about the effects of these products in the human body, and about their safety and potential interactions with medicines and other natural products.
Gut health may be an important factor in post-traumatic stress recovery.
Research studies have shown that trauma damages and disrupts the microbiome—the trillions of bacteria in the intestines that are essential for our gut health. The microbiome is an integral part of our immune system and produces many of the neurotransmitters we rely on; post-traumatic changes to the microbiome may account for the greater risk for physical health problems after trauma.
Yoga
Massage and Manual Therapies
Nutritional Approaches
It is scientifically proven that yoga is an effective tool to help people to have better body, fitness, flexibility, strength, stamina, better memory , sharp mind, increased working efficiency and health. Yoga may benefit people’s general wellness by relieving stress, supporting good health habits, and improving mental/emotional health, sleep, and balance. Yoga may also help with low-back pain and neck pain, anxiety or depressive symptoms associated with difficult life situations, quitting smoking, and quality of life for people with chronic diseases.
Benefits of Yoga Therapy for PTSD
Yoga has been shown to reduce physiological arousal in PTSD patients and is believed to affect the pathology of PTSD by improving somatic regulation and body awareness, which are imperative to emotion regulation
Massage and Manual Therapies
Massage and Manual Therapies
Massage and Manual Therapies
Research Studies have shown that Massage therapy is a powerful treatment that can relieve tension, migraine headaches, insomnia, digestive issues, tendonitis, muscle aches, arthritis, and other painful short term and chronic issues. Massage therapy relaxes and loosens the muscles, improves the nervous system, increases blood oxygen levels and improves circulation that promotes healing and reduces inflammation, and increases the body’s range of motion and flexibility. Deep tissue massage helps flush toxins from the body.
Benefits of Massage Therapy for PTSD
Research studies have shown massage therapy helps to promote a reduction of cortisol, reduces depression, pain, blood pressure, and hypertension. These are all examples to show how the physiological effect of massage therapy can help to reduce the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
Massage and Manual Therapies
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain.
Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin. Aromatherapy has been shown to be beneficial for
Nausea, Pain and body aches, Anxiety, agitation, stress, and depression,, Fatigue and insomnia, Muscular aches, Headaches, Circulatory problems, Menstrual or Menopausal problems.
Benefits of Aromatherapy for PTSD
Using aromatherapy can significantly enhance someone's health by influencing the limbic system of the brain directly through the olfactory organs. As the fresh scents infiltrate the body, emotions can be calmed, which can positively affect someone who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD
Meditation
Aromatherapy
Meditation
Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health. You can also use it to relax and cope with stress by refocusing your attention on something calming. Meditation can help you learn to stay centered and keep inner peace.
Benefits of Meditation Therapy for PTSD
A number of studies have suggested that meditation can reduce the symptoms of PTSD, particularly in war veterans. These studies show that meditation reduces stress hormones by calming the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for our 'fight-or-flight' responses to danger.