Unlock the Potential of Auricular Acupuncture for PTSD – A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction: The Unseen Scourge of PTSD
Millions of people around the world suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sadly, traditional treatments often don’t provide enough relief. That’s where auricular acupuncture comes in. This treatment offers not just symptom relief but also a pathway to better well-being.
What is Auricular Acupuncture?
So, what exactly is auricular acupuncture? It’s a special form of acupuncture that focuses on the ear’s specific points. These points reflect the entire body. By targeting these points, practitioners aim to treat various conditions, including PTSD.
The Science Behind Auricular Acupuncture for PTSD
Clinical Trials and Their Implications
Several studies have looked into how effective auricular acupuncture is for PTSD. One study at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center found that veterans with PTSD-related insomnia slept better after treatment. These findings aren’t isolated; many other studies support this treatment.
Mechanisms of Action
How does it work? Auricular acupuncture stimulates the vagus nerve, which helps regulate mood and stress. This leads to the release of endorphins, creating a sense of calm.
Benefits of Auricular Acupuncture for PTSD
Better Sleep
One of the first benefits is better sleep. Insomnia is common in PTSD, and better sleep can be a big relief. This aligns well with our PTSD Program.
Less Need for Medication
Many PTSD patients rely on multiple medications. Auricular acupuncture offers a natural alternative, reducing the need for drugs and their side effects. This fits with our Functional Medicine approach.
How is Auricular Acupuncture Administered?
The Procedure
The treatment involves inserting fine needles into the ear’s specific points. These points relate to different body parts and systems.
Duration and Frequency
A typical session lasts about 30 minutes. The number of sessions you’ll need varies.
Integrating Auricular Acupuncture into a Comprehensive PTSD Treatment Plan
Synergy with Other Treatments
You can easily add auricular acupuncture to a treatment plan that may include talk therapy, medication, and other therapies like Naturopathic Medicine.
Consulting Healthcare Professionals
Before starting any new treatment, consult with healthcare pros who have experience treating PTSD. They can tailor a treatment plan to your needs.
Patient Testimonials and Real-world Cases
Many PTSD sufferers report big improvements after adding auricular acupuncture to their treatment plans.
Conclusion: A New Horizon in PTSD Treatment
In summary, auricular acupuncture offers a promising, effective, and natural way to treat PTSD. It can improve sleep, reduce the need for medication, and fit well into a comprehensive treatment plan.
In auricular acupuncture, needles are carefully placed into certain points on the ear. Firstly, these points are thought to link to various parts of the body, offering a well-rounded treatment approach. The ear acts like a small map of the whole body. So, by targeting these points, experts aim to treat a range of health issues, including PTSD. Moreover, this focused form of acupuncture is especially good for easing PTSD symptoms.
For those looking for a deeper understanding of these ear points, the World Health Organization has put out some guidelines. Additionally, a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine talks about the exact ear points that are helpful for treating PTSD.
Yes, acupuncture, especially when combined with other forms of Functional Medicine, can help release stored trauma. The treatment is believed to stimulate the body’s energy pathways, unblocking any “stagnant” energy that may be contributing to emotional or physical trauma.
For more information on how acupuncture can help release stored trauma, the Pacific College of Health and Science offers an in-depth article. A study published in PLOS ONE also discusses the role of acupuncture in treating emotional trauma.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to treating PTSD because it often needs a mix of different approaches. However, blending psychotherapy, meds, and other treatments like auricular acupuncture and Naturopathic Medicine can make for a full treatment plan. For instance, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often named as one of the top ways to treat PTSD.
For more details on what works best for PTSD, the American Psychological Association has a full guide. Additionally, a deep dive in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry gives more insights into the most effective treatments for PTSD.
Yes, acupuncture, and more specifically auricular acupuncture, shows real promise for treating PTSD. For example, clinical trials like one at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center have shown big improvements in sleep for vets with PTSD. This treatment is thought to spark the vagus nerve, which is key for controlling mood and stress. As a result, this triggers the release of feel-good chemicals, leading to calm and relaxation. For those looking at a full approach to treating PTSD, adding acupuncture can be a key part of a comprehensive PTSD Program.
For more in-depth info, you can check out the study in the journal Medical Acupuncture. Also, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health gives a full look at acupuncture and how it can be used, including for PTSD.
Our Experienced Practitioners:
Dr.Ac Lalonde 🇬🇧
“As a clinician and leader, I see myself not only as a caregiver but also as a teacher—empowering patients with the knowledge and tools they need to take charge of their health. By educating and guiding them, I can help transform their lives far beyond the treatment room, creating lasting wellness that they can carry with them. – Dr. Tammy Lalonde”
Caring for people is my true passion and one of life’s greatest callings. With years of experience as both a Paramedic and Acupuncturist, I’ve supported patients through obvious and invisible injuries alike. I’ve been there during moments of deep crisis – delivering babies in cars parked roadside, providing care at 30,000 feet, or flying emergency medevacs over the Arabian desert. Through these experiences, I’ve learned not just how to care for people in urgent need but how lasting health is built over time through lifestyle, nutrition, and proactive care.
Over the years, my focus has shifted toward prevention – helping people earlier, before minor concerns turn into complex conditions. A big part of that work is my role in leading our Hormone Health program, where we help patients address hormonal imbalances that impact energy, mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.
To better support our patients and lead in this evolving area of care, I’ve earned certification as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) – a designation held by only a select number of clinicians across Canada. This credential reflects a high level of expertise in evidence-based menopause and hormone health management. Combined with advanced training in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) through Worldlink Medical, this dual focus allows me to guide our Hormone Health program with clinical depth, strategic vision, and a commitment to whole-person care.
My academic journey has allowed me to bridge Eastern and Western medicine into a truly holistic care model. I have a particular passion for working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD, including those in the Armed Forces and Emergency Services. With a career spanning North America and the Middle East, I’ve served as a clinician, educator, and emergency medical dispatcher.
I hold active licensure and registration with the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA), the California Acupuncture Board, the Alberta Herbalists Association (AHA), and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). I’ve also served as a Board Director with the Alberta Pain Society and currently sit on the CAA Competence Committee.
Education:
- Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Master of Science (MS) – Traditional Chinese Medicine, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Master of Science (MS) – Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, cum laude, South Baylo University
- Bachelor of Science (BS) – Holistic Science, South Baylo University
- Diploma – Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic), Augustana University
- Advanced Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) Certified – Worldlink Medical
Licensure
- RAc – Registered Acupuncturist of the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
- RH – Registered Herbalist of the Alberta Herbalists Association (AHA)
- LAc – Licensed Acupuncturist of the California Acupuncture Board
- Dipl.Ac – Diplomate of Acupuncture of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
- MSCP – Menopause Society Certified Practitioner
Dr.Ac Lalonde 🇬🇧
CEO, Acupuncture, Herbalism
“As a clinician and leader, I see myself not only...
Dr.Ac Winton 🇬🇧
Helping people comes naturally to Michelle! As a highly skilled Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist, and Advanced Care Paramedic she is widely recognized for developing unique care plans which draw on her knowledge and therapeutic touch gained across each of these specialized disciplines. Having over twenty years of combined expertise in caring for her patients, Michelle has had a front row seat to observe how stress and emotion affect the mind and body. Complementing her acupuncture services at Red Leaf Wellness, Michelle offers a variety of therapeutic and relaxation massage therapies, including pregnancy massage, myofascial release and myofascial cupping.
Michelle began her health career as a massage therapist, graduating the 2200hr Massage Program at Macewan University in 2001. Being active in competitive sport in her youth, Michelle understood the benefits of massage on sport performance, recovery and injury prevention. She subsequently branched into emergency care and became an Advanced Care Paramedic where she was able to offer a calming presence in stressful, emergent situations. Michelle has always believed that soft skills, an extra moment spent with family, or a hand to hold on the way to the hospital, can be as healing as the specific medical interventions themselves. Working as a Paramedic Michelle saw, and began to question, how it is that people differ in disease and the aging process and why the same drug benefited one person, but not the other. Her lifelong learning journey had her begin to look for these answers in the time-tested practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture, thus kicking off another quest for knowledge at MacEwan University’s Acupuncture Program.
Michelle provides care at Red Leaf Wellness as an independent contractor.
Education:
- Diploma – Acupuncture, Macewan University
- Diploma – Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic), Augustana University
- Honors standings
- Certificate – Massage Therapy Grant MacEwan College
Licensure:
- RAc, College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
- RMT, National Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC)
- ACP, Alberta College of Paramedics
Dr.Ac Winton 🇬🇧
Acupuncture, Massage
Helping people comes naturally to Michelle! As a highly skilled...
Dr.Ac Masuda 🇬🇧 🇯🇵
Dr. Yoko Masuda is a master practitioner – skilled in the rare craft of Japanese style acupuncture – where she incorporates and tailors gentle needling, moxibustion (specific deep heat), therme (heat massage) and cupping into her acupuncture treatment plans. These skills, as well as her reputation for delivering tangible results, make her a sought-after provider, especially in the areas of pain management, sports injuries, orthopaedic injuries and emotional health. Yoko firmly believes that the mind and the body are intertwined in healing and she continually advocates for a healthy lifestyle alongside of the care she provides.
Yoko received her acupuncture degree in Japan and, after working at several clinics in Tokyo, she accepted a staff acupuncturist position with the world renowned Cirque du Soleil touring show. For nearly twenty years, she went on to travel the far reaches of the globe, working on several other productions, and earning the respect of an international group of artists, staff and athletes before eventually selecting Edmonton for her permanent clinical practice. As a former high school physical education teacher, and also as an alumnus of the Japanese national rhythmic gymnastics team (where she competed internationally on numerous occasions), she has amassed an impressive background in sports therapy and physical education, uniquely positioning her to address all manner of orthopedic and performance related concerns.
Outside of work, Yoko enjoys travelling, the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and two elementary-aged daughters.
Yoko provides care at Red Leaf Wellness as an independent contractor.
Education:
- Diploma of Acupuncture, Hanada College, Tokyo, Japan
Licensure:
- RAc, College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
Fluency: 🇬🇧 – English | 🇯🇵 – Japanese
Dr.Ac Masuda 🇬🇧 🇯🇵
Acupuncture
Dr. Yoko Masuda is a master practitioner – skilled in...
Cora Rennie 🇬🇧
Cora Rennie is a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist who helps people feel safer, more regulated, and more present in their bodies. She brings more than two decades of personal experience with this gentle healing work into every session. What clients notice most is the sense of calm, clarity, and renewed ease that continues well after they leave the table.
Cora’s journey with craniosacral therapy began over twenty years ago when a single practice session left her body deeply relaxed in a way she had never before experienced. That moment opened her eyes to how profoundly the nervous system responds to safe, informed touch. It also became personal when she saw dramatic improvement in her mother’s migraines and vertigo after just a few sessions with a practitioner.
After completing a rigorous two-year Biodynamic CranioSacral Therapy (BCST) training, Cora has developed a deep understanding of how the body’s own innate healing intelligence can be supported. She holds certification and registration with the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, and her work is grounded in respect for the body’s natural rhythms and its drive toward health.
Clients come to Cora for many reasons, from ongoing stress and overwhelm to persistent tension patterns, sleep disruption, and emotional holding. Many people report:
- A sense of nervous system calm and safety
- Better sleep and less reactivity to stress
- A feeling of being more settled in their body
- Enhanced capacity to engage with life rather than just survive it
- Support through major life transitions like perimenopause and menopause
Because BCST works with the nervous system itself, clients often find that their whole system begins to feel more coherent and resilient. This can lead to better outcomes with other forms of care too, as the body becomes more able to integrate changes and treatments.
Cora believes that every symptom is part of the body’s effort to protect and to adapt. Her role is not to “fix” you but to offer a supportive environment where your system can experience safety, resource, and deeper regulation. She feels honored to witness the shifts that happen when a body is finally allowed to come into balance.
Her approach is warm, perceptive, and grounded in connection, inviting you to be an active participant in your own healing. Whether you are navigating stress, transitioning through hormone changes, or seeking a more integrated sense of well-being, Cora’s work offers a space to be met, supported, and held with care.
Cora provides care at Red Leaf Wellness as an independent contractor.
Cora Rennie 🇬🇧
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist
Cora Rennie is a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist who helps people...