Benefits Of The NADA Protocol For Substance Abusers And For People Suffering From Emotional Distress

Chinese medicine and acupuncture have become even more popular during the last three decades as a way to help suffering from health concerns and for those burdened with addictions and emotional distress. Acupuncture is particularly helpful for people who are cleansing themselves of alcohol and drugs as well as for people who have undergone severe trauma, such as returning war veterans. One of the most widely used and most innovative ways to help these people overcome their problem is through the NADA or five needles protocol.

The NADA protocol entails the insertion of acupuncture needles into five points in the auricle of both ears. This treatment is usually administered in groups that sit comfortably in chairs and lasts for around 30 to 45 minutes. Most of the patients experience immediate positive effects like a profound sense of relaxation and calmness. For those suffering from symptoms of psychomotor agitation, restlessness and anxiety, the treatment brings about a feeling of relief and relief from the severity of their symptoms.

Due to this intense effect, the NADA protocol has been espoused by prisons, hospitals, outpatient mental health centers, and detoxification clinics throughout the country as an integrative therapy for treating substance addiction. The NADA or National Acupuncture Detoxification Association is the main group that advances the use of this protocol throughout the US. Although certified acupuncturists usually provide this service, NADA also allows non-acupuncturists to become detoxification specialists to provide help to individuals in their community.

The man responsible for adopting and innovating the five needles protocol as a treatment plan for people suffering from emotional distress and for those who want to detoxify themselves of drugs and alcohol is Dr. Michael Smith. Dr. Smith he went on to help found NADA group in 1985 after developing the protocol in the 70s. This protocol continues to grow in its use and is used in most of the states in the US.

The five needles protocol involves the insertion of needles into five acupuncture points in the ear to generate different healing effects. These points include the autonomic and the “Spirit Gate” or Shen Men points both of which help provide relaxation and calmness in a person, the lung point that helps eliminate grief and facilitates deeper breathing, the liver point that promotes detoxification and quells intense anger, and the kidney point, that helps relieve fear.

Each individual is unique from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Therefore, each of them requires their own specific holistic therapy for both their bodies and minds. Acupuncturists usually recommend lifestyle diet changes, acupuncture (specifically the NADA protocol), massage, and sacred movement such as qi gong.

Significant amount of research has already been done to prove the effectiveness of the NADA protocol treatment. Much of these studies have led to tremendous results in various types of settings. The NADA protocol is being used by over 131 prisons in Europe. For residents at the Yale medical school a NADA training program has been created for their use. The system is being used in several psychiatric hospitals in the States as well as in numerous Indian reservations. It is supported by the Veteran’s Administration as a treatment for people diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The NADA protocol has been used by a lot of acupuncturists to help people suffering from intense emotions and severe anxiety. Each session of this procedure can bring about overwhelming calmness and relaxation in people, making them feel like a heavy weight had been lifted from their chest.

This protocol can be extremely helpful for those who are in the process of weaning themselves off psychiatric medications. The symptoms of withdrawing oneself of certain strong drugs include insomnia, agitation, anger, depression, and anxiety. This therapy can be of great help for someone susceptible to emotional distress and big mood swings. Because it is usually administered in groups, one of the best benefits of the NADA protocol is its inexpensiveness. Getting auricular acupuncture along with a group of people can also potentially create a strong bond between people without the need of telling them to explore deep and sometimes unpleasant and distressing emotions.

The NADA protocol works best when it is accompanied by regular practices of meditation. Instead of the need to integrate meditation activities into a busy lifestyle, acupuncture helps people gain the benefit of increased somatic awareness and deeper relaxation that usually occurs during meditation. For sure, the NADA protocol is not a cure-all for substance addiction or for mental and emotional problems; nonetheless, it can become a very important complementary therapy to help enhance your well being and emotional health.

Acupuncture Health Center
1303 Astor St # 101
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 715-1824
www.bellinghamacupuncturecenter.com