Veterans and their families receive free acupuncture

Veterans and their families receive free acupuncture

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A program in Portland is helping veterans relax and they're doing it for free. It's acupuncture that lasts for less than an hour, but has effects that lasts for days.

For almost eight years veterans and their families have been receiving free acupuncture at the Portland Veterans' Acupuncture Clinic. Around 5,600 have taken part in the clinic to receive treatment called the NADA technique that offers relief to five areas of the body according to acupuncturist Ellen Ellis.

"Five needles in each ear. Each needle is specific to a specific organ system that allows the body to calm, focus, center," said Ellis.

WWII veteran Raymond Spiro has been coming to the clinic almost every week since it first started. He's the oldest veteran to attend at 88-years-old and when he misses a session he notices a difference in his week.

"It's an hour for one person in the world, yourself and that's important because you come in from your days activities," said Spiro. "You come in here and you can settle down."

The Portland Veterans' Acupuncture Clinic happens every Tuesday night from 6 to 8 PM at the Congregation Shaarey Tphilow Synagogue on Noyes Street in Portland.

The source of the report is here.