Operation-Initiative
Foundation
Foundation
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Operation-Initiative Foundation strives to address the psychophysiological and socio-economic needs of veterans diagnosed as experiencing post-traumatic stress. Through outcome assessments, the Foundation seeks to continuously advance its program and service offerings. Further, through ongoing collaborations with nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses, the Foundation seeks to explore innovative solutions for problems faced by veterans and their family caregivers. The following lists a few of the initiatives that have been either introduced or is in the process of being developed for veterans and their family caregivers.
➢ Establishment of a Long Island regional registry for veterans and their caregivers.
➢ Development of a treatment network consisting of holistic practitioners; offering services such as:
✓ Acupuncture
✓ Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
✓ Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy I*
✓ Havening II*
✓ Massage and Meditation Therapies
✓ Nutritional Guidance and Support
✓ Reiki III*
✓ Yoga
Innovative Treatment Solutions:
Whether veterans just returned from a deployment or have been home for 40 years, it’s never too late to get professional treatment or support for post traumatic stress (PTS). Receiving counseling or treatment as soon as possible can keep their symptoms from getting worse. Veterans who did not realize they had PTS for many years also can benefit from treatments that allows them to deal with their symptoms in new ways.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy I*
Hyperbaric medicine is a medical treatment comprised of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). It was first used in the 1930s to treat decompression sickness in deep sea divers and it is now being prescribed when medically appropriate for a veteran who has been diagnosed with PTS.
The equipment required for hyperbaric oxygen treatment consists of a pressure chamber, which may be of rigid or flexible construction, and a means of delivering 100% oxygen. Operation is performed to a predetermined schedule by trained personnel who monitor the patient and may adjust the schedule as required.
HBOT is generally a painless procedure that increases oxygen in the body, under pressure, to encourage healing.
Tests following the treatments showed significant improvements in symptoms: 92% improvement in short-term memory problems; 87% relief from headaches; 93% gain in cognitive difficulties; 75% improvement with sleep issues; and 93% reported relief from depression. The veterans also showed improvements in anger, mood swings, impulse control, blood flow in the brain, and a reduction in suicidal thoughts. 64% of those were also able to eliminate all their prescription drug intake
Havening II*
Havening, is an alternative therapy developed by Dr. Ronald Ruden. It has been found to help reduce fear, anger, pathological guilt, shame and a host of other negative emotions. Havening Techniques are a radical new and evolving form of pseudoscientific therapy that helps permanently treat and heal traumas, anxiety and phobias,
as well as to create positive alterations in our brain. It is a type of psychosensory therapy, meaning applying a sensory touch to produce a response (electrochemical), that literally heals and positively alters the mind (psyche).
Havening treatment is a healing modality that is designed to help individuals overcome problems that are the consequence of traumatic encoding and has been found to correct the way these memories are stored in our neurology, so that they have no further emotional impact and other responses and symptoms, to be altered for the better, or completely eradicated.
The techniques have three (3) distinct applications, one is for emotional disturbances and encoded psychological trauma, second is for wellness, stress management, and peak performance, and the third is as a self-help tool.
Reiki III
Reiki is a form of alternative medicine developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui. It is administered to the veteran through the practitioner’s hands. It is both powerful and gentle and works in harmony with all other kinds of treatment. Reiki has been known to shorten healing time, reduce or eliminate pain, reduce stress, and create optimism. Often, patients who receive Reiki leave the hospital earlier than those who don’t and have fewer complications.
It is a non-intrusive powerful form of energy that has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, which in turn, activates the body and mind’s natural healing abilities. The greatest benefits that have been reported from Reiki treatments is stress reduction and provide a sense of deep relaxation.
The reduction in stress, anxiety and depression allows the body and mind to start healing. Without a steady stream of stress hormones and negative thoughts, individuals with PTS are able to address core concerns and improve general well-being.
Reiki also brings about physical healing, which contributes to improved mood and outlook. Patients who have undergone Reiki therapy report to have improved sleep quality, reduced addictions, pain relief and increased energy. The Reiki technique can also help those suffering from acute trauma as the treatment restores and balances the body’s natural healing energy.