SENATE MEMORIAL 31

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald P. Ortiz y Pino

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE EFFICACY OF USING ACUPUNCTURE TO TREAT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND PAIN IN VETERANS.

     WHEREAS, members of the United States armed forces serve their country with honor and courage; and

     WHEREAS, the United States is currently engaged in two wars that are very different from past wars, and military personnel are involved not just in ground combat actions but in extremely hazardous security duty; and

     WHEREAS, the constant need for hypervigilance against possible terrorist actions and the uncertainty of knowing whether someone is a terrorist or a civilian means that our soldiers today, like our soldiers in Vietnam, are paying an enormous mental and psychological price to serve their country; and

     WHEREAS, one such price is post-traumatic stress disorder, a debilitating and disruptive condition that too often leads to broken relationships, psychiatric breakdown and suicide; and

     WHEREAS, the few studies that have been conducted on the use of acupuncture to treat post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia and depression, as well as pain, indicate that acupuncture is a viable treatment modality, and this year the United States air force will begin to use battlefield acupuncture to help wounded and stressed soldiers; and

     WHEREAS, the United States army hospital, Walter Reed army medical center, conducted a study on the use of acupuncture and found that "[a]cupuncture, which has few known side effects, holds promise as an effective treatment option for PTSD. Acupuncture has been shown to improve well-being and has been successfully used to treat stress, anxiety and pain conditions."; and

     WHEREAS, acupuncture is a simple, low-cost procedure that offers immediate and effective results and that works harmoniously with other more conventional modalities, such as counseling and medication; and

     WHEREAS, the veterans project began as a free pilot clinic conducted by New Mexico-licensed acupuncturists in Albuquerque in 2006 to provide acupuncture to New Mexico veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and pain; and

     WHEREAS, veterans in the project are reporting less insomnia and fewer nightmares, improved mental clarity, less anxiety and a reduction in stress;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the veterans' services department be requested to conduct a local study of the efficacy of using acupuncture to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and pain in New Mexico veterans; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study consider the relationship between acupuncture treatment and a reduced need for medication and whether the use of low-cost acupuncture clinics eases the strain on mainstream medical facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department cooperate with local New Mexico-licensed acupuncturists who have worked extensively with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and pain; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department seek the assistance and cooperation of the veterans hospital in Albuquerque in conducting the study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of veterans' services.

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