Carla M. Edwards, M.S., Ph.D., LAc., Dipl. O.M. began her academic training at the University of Wisconsin where she earned B.S. degrees in Biology and Biochemistry. Dr. Edwards then continued her training at Loyola University of Chicago where she earned both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry with an emphasis in Medicinal Chemistry.

For nine years, Dr. Edwards worked at Abbott Laboratories in the Anti-Infective section of the Drug  Discovery Division. While at Abbott, Dr. Edwards was named as a co-inventor of over ten Anti-Infective drug discoveries and was named as a co-author on several papers. As a research fellow at Northwestern University Medical School, Dr. Edwards completed her post-doctoral training in the area of Alzheimer’s Disease Research. 

After leaving Northwestern, Dr. Edwards continued her medical studies in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).at the Chicago campus of the San Diego based Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.  Dr Edwards is Nationally Board Certified in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and certified in NAET®, Reiki and HEEL Homeopathy for Health Practitioners.

Acupuncturists Without Borders ~
Katrina Project

Voices from the Field
14 January 2006

Dear Colleagues,

We are writing to report to you on our experiences with Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) in Louisiana.  We arrived in Louisiana in early December to work as volunteers associated with AWB.  Our team was based in “Tent City” across the river from New Orleans in Algiers.  Each day during our service in Louisiana, we did service work at two or three of the 15 venues set up in Louisiana.  Using predominately the NADA protocol, we saw first hand how important these simple, yet powerful NADA treatments were in reestablishing the well-being of Louisiana's residents and the hundreds of relief workers from out of state.  Within minutes of the start of treatment, people experiencing stress, pain, depression, insomnia and a host of other conditions directly resulting from their experience of the hurricanes or their relief efforts after the fact, begin to feel relief.  We witnessed this amazing result in many scenarios:  stressed and exhausted firefighters, coast guard workers and police officers sitting in a line of chairs with tiny needles in their ears, heads nodding forward in deep relaxation and gratitude; Vietnamese congregants of Mary Queen of Vietnam Church with smiles beaming after treatment commenting on the relief from the stress in their shoulders, or the pain in their head, or the ache in their heart;  hurricane survivors waiting at Common Ground Health Clinic in Algiers commenting that after the treatment they had the week before, they could actually sleep through the night.  The power of our medicine has helped people we treated to reveal their stories, open up their minds and experience a moment of calmness in their lives.  The gratitude we felt from all the people that we encountered in Louisiana was heartfelt and genuine.

One of the more powerful moments of our time in New Orleans came when we toured the devastated 9th ward.  The magnitude of the devastation we found there left us both speechless.  The stories we heard from the hurricane victims as well as the faces of the people we treated made a profound impact on us.

We can't help but feel that we have not done enough for the people in Louisiana.  NADA treatments given by AWB volunteers are free and available to all who need them. The cost of these treatments is extremely low compared to other forms of treatment. One acupuncturist can treat up to 20 people at a time.

One thing that we can all do to support the work being done in Louisiana is to donate to the AWB Katrina Project.  For every $1.00 donated we can treat one more person. A $20.00 donation will treat 20 people, and perhaps change their lives. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $50,000 for the next 3 months of work. This would allow us to treat as many as 50,000 people.

Acupuncturists Without Borders      www.acuwithoutborders.org

Tax deductible (see note below) donations by check can be made out to Acupuncturists Without Borders and mailed to:

Acupuncturists Without Borders
37 Kelly Lynn Drive
Sandia Park, NM 87047

Note: Federal tax exempt status is pending and will be retroactive to start date of organization once approved.

Acupuncturists who are interested in volunteering need
to meet specific criteria. Volunteers will treat people in
a community-style acupuncture setting for a minimum
of a ten day commitment.  If interested in volunteering
with AWB, an AWB volunteer application can be filled
out online at:

www.acuwithoutborders.org/volunteer.php

Upon reflection, we both have evaluated all that we have
and realize how very lucky and fortunate we are to have
what we do.  This was indeed a grounding and profound
experience for both of us.   Please consider donating
funds to this effort. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Carla Edwards, M.S., Ph.D., L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.
Teresa Zeigler, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.

Acupuncturists Without Borders Venues in Louisiana

• Common Ground Health Clinic, Algiers
• Common Ground Distribution Center, Algiers
• Washington Square Park - Rainbow Family providing medical services and food
• Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, Michoud
• The park in Algiers point - treatments for the local community
• FEMA/Small Business Administration site - St. Bernard parish
• Voluntary Agencies tent (Red Cross, Salvation Army) - Lower Ninth Ward
• St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Baton Rouge - Vietnamese community
• U.S. Health Services and Staff of School for Visually Handicapped, Baton Rouge
• Emergency Operations Center, New Orleans
• Covenant House (teens at risk)
• State of Louisiana Health Dept. – Wellness Day
• Odyssey House (halfway house)
• Tent City emergency responders
• Common Ground Distribution Center - 9th Ward
• Monte de Olivos Church, Metairie - Honduran community
• Cajun Dome (Red Cross shelter) - Lafayette, Louisiana
• Emergency Communities, St Bernard Parish
• FEMA site - New Orleans Public Library
• Habitat for Humanity
• Firefighters
• National Guard
• Police

Why Ear Acupuncture?
Ear acupuncture can be used on all those who may be involved in a traumatic incident:

The survivors.
The mental health staff.
The police and emergency personnel attending to the incident.

Very ACCESSIBLE: Placing needles just in the ear, recipients can easily receive a treatment fully dressed (for ex: on the scene emergency workers who need a break). Large groups can easily be done, with one practitioner treating between 10-20 people an hour. Depending on the state, health care professionals have been trained via mental health service providers. In Texas, over 500 people have been trained over the last 15 years, many of whom are certified by the Texas State Medical Board of Medical Examiners.

Very FLEXIBLE: Can be done anywhere- no special facilities/equipment- easily integrated into a wide range of settings (hospital, outdoor clinics in developing countries or in natural disaster situations, on a curbside, while people are waiting in line for other services). Can easily be done in large groups.

Very SIMPLE: No side effects. A simple protocol of 5 acupuncture points is used on the ear (referred to as the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association –NADA - protocol). This protocol has been identified as being effective over a 30 year history, and is used in 2,000 programs around the world.

Very ECONOMICAL: One acupuncturist can treat up to 20 people in an hour.

Community-style acupuncture can provide immediate “treatment on demand” without lengthy intake or wait. Those receiving treatment do not have to wait to feel its impact, as relaxation generally occurs within minutes. Survivors of traumatic events report acu detox to be useful in alleviating symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder. Recipient surveys show:

Increased mental clarity.
Improved ability to cope.
Improved alertness.
Improved ability to sleep.
Reduction of aches, pains and muscle spasms.
Reduction of depression and anxiety.
Reduction of intrusive recall.
The mental health staff.

Physically it appears to assist endogenous endorphin production, as well as to stimulate neurotransmitter activity leading to increased capacity to cope with stress, and often releasing the hyper-vigilant state. Many pain syndromes and muscular spasms can be improved and/or alleviated. It appears to stimulate the immune system, as white blood cells are activated via needle insertion.

In addition it is a non verbal treatment, requiring almost no verbal interaction in order to be received and delivered.

Letters of Gratitude

Excerpts from letters received by Acupuncturists Without Borders:

When AWB was asked to provide service at the EOC (Emergency Operations Center of New Orleans), First Responders began to open up to the wisdom of seeking help for themselves. We found that AWB was a perfect therapeutic/medical bridge around which First Responders could begin the work of establishing a personal health/wellness plan.

I attest to the efficacy of AWB’s services and I welcome our continued relationship in the name of the First Responders of New Orleans and the citizens for whom they labored.

Sandra W. Ortega, PH.D. Consultant
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
Health and Human Services Administration

The Acupuncturists Without Borders have been amazingly friendly, accommodating, and patient with the linguistic and logistical barriers we have experienced. After receiving an acupuncture treatment myself, I felt an amazing release of tension. At this time in our lives that is one of the best things we can ask for.

Parochial Vicar
Reverend, Mary Queen of Vietnam
Luke Nguyen Hungdung

I am the manager of a fairly busy FEMA Recovery Center in New Orleans, LA. – post Katrina. The acupuncturists have visited our center and provided treatment for several employees.

Reports from those who have participated have included an overall sense of calmness. A better sense of well-being, a more restful sleep, and just “ feeling better” physically.

There are other techniques for relaxation and stress relief we utilize and this is among the highest rated in the feedback I receive from those who participate – thank you so much!

Mary Moren-Cornelius
DRC Manager #54 FEMA
New Orleans, LA

I've experienced your work firsthand and heard from many, many clients how much the acupuncture helped them, how relaxing it was, and how they enjoyed you all.

Personally I am very pleased by the way you have combined professionalism with effective personal caring service. This is what community health is all about!

My only wish is that you were at the clinic full time. Every day people come in looking for acupuncture.

Baruch Zeichner
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

AWB has been flexible, compassionate and easy to work with in a challenging environment. The collaboration of Eastern and Western approaches to healing benefits everyone. This is the future of medicine.

Mo O’Brien, RN
Common Ground Health Clinic

I believe the acupuncturists are offering a great treatment for coping with stress. It helps our patients relax and also shows them that there are alternative ways to cope other than with drugs and alcohol. The acupuncturists are providing a very valuable service to a population that is struggling.

Kristin Summers
fourth year medical student from the University of Maryland

I would like to thank the various professionals from the Acupuncture Disaster Relief team for their work at Covenant House New Orleans. They have helped many staff and residents deal with their stress and anxiety as related to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the difficult process of rebuilding our shelter and city. They have also educated many young people about this ancient form of medicine. All those who have received acupuncture have spoken very warmly about the experience. Thanks again to this wonderful organization and all of its professionals.

Louis M. Byron, GSW
Program Manager
Covenant House New Orleans

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