Stand Easy

Off By Ed Hanna

Stand Easy is a registered charity serving Veterans of the British Armed Forces, offering acupuncture treatment to provide swift and effective relief from PTSD and associated symptoms.

June is national PTSD awareness month and Stand Easy is hoping to raise its profile and reach out to more Veterans and Military personnel who may be able to benefit from their services.

The treatment offered by the charity is designed to respect Soldiers and their space, providing a unique experience whereby no demands are placed on patients. The charity believes that talking about your trauma is not always necessary and that vulnerable people should not be required to talk about darkness in order to heal. Following treatment, some Veterans report enjoying a return to full and fulfilling lives free from the previous limitations of PTSD.

Co-founder of Stand Easy and primary practitioner, Naji Malak, uses a particular form of acupuncture refined during his time treating people in combat zones during the Lebanese civil war. Naji has over 40 years’ experience treating Military personnel and civilians experiencing PTSD resulting from conflict, torture, injury and being incarcerated as prisoners of war.

Results
In a study carried out by Healthwatch Norfolk, 21 Veterans with severe levels of PTSD were monitored before, during and after treatment. 100% of those taking part reported significant clinical improvement following treatment.

The effectiveness of acupuncture in post-trauma treatment facilities and even in combat zones has been proven, In the United States, for example, battlefield acupuncture has been introduced to medical training programmes in the Military and has been applied in action to great effect.

Naji is passionate about treating Veterans, bringing about rapid relief from symptoms of PTSD and witnessing individuals return to living good and fulfilling lives. “The approach at Stand Easy is a holistic one, which involves treating the whole person and avoiding simply applying a ‘mental health’ label, which can be simplistic and even damaging.”

Better
With treatment starting at the first appointment, working swiftly and effectively – most Veterans feel an immediate improvement in PTSD symptoms after only one session.

Colin, a former RAF Mechanical Engineer, received treatment and noticed a change straightaway; “I’m sleeping a lot better, I’m eating better, I’m more likely to get out of my routine, which is a very good thing. I had a lot of anger and stress, and now I’m generally happier in myself.”