Saturday, December 19, 2009

Acupuncture Ambassadors

Our Mission
The Acupuncture Ambassadors (AA) organization’s mission is:

In a war-torn world, there are countless victims, civilians, refugees and the military, suffering from PTSD and depression. Acupuncture is an effective modality for treating the symptoms of these devastating health issues. Acupuncture Ambassadors will use their skills to be of service to those who suffer from PTSD and depression.

Share knowledge of Acupuncture with local medical practitioners in developing countries where there is limited or non-existent healthcare, imparting basic theoretical and practical training to treat the most common illnesses faced by these medical practitioners. AA also treats patients during all missions.

To this end our Acupuncture Ambassadors will spread the knowledge and value of Traditional Asian Medicine as a powerful, viable and timeless healthcare modality throughout developing nations in the 21st century."

Acupuncture Ambassadors Mission to Nepal and Beyond

Update on past and recent projects and plans for the future.

As you may know I am an acupuncturist and teacher in development of a non-profit organization called Acupuncture Ambassadors (AA). Its mission is to travel, teach and treat with Acupuncture internationally in areas of the world where healthcare is minimal or non-existent. Acupuncture and Traditional Asian medicine have its roots in rural community medicine and can be an important part of treating people with acute and chronic illness but also as preventative medicine. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for the symptoms of PTSD and boosts immunity in immune compromised patients. This is not only the mission of AA but also my personal mission to do this work full time.

In 2008 I traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia with a group of acupuncturists from the group NADA Vietnam. We treated many patients during our three weeks there. We had the great opportunity to work with acupuncturists in Vietnam who guided us to Buddhist monasteries where so much of healthcare takes place in rural areas. Cambodia does not have a tradition of acupuncture so we were able to introduce them to the healing qualities of this medicine. They have many people who suffer from PTSD from the war that ended about 6 years ago. They were especially interested in the treatments for PTSD and drug addiction which is also a serious problem. This was a revelation for them. We also taught a group of 70 blind massage therapists a simple but powerful 5 needle ear acupuncture treatment that works for pain, PTSD and addictions. There is also a simple treatment that can be taught to HIV/AIDS patients that will enhance their immunity.

I just returned from Arizona where I joined with the Global Alternative Health Project to treat Native American patients on the Navajo reservation. A profound experience.

We are planning a trip to Kathmandu, Nepal in February to set up an acupuncture clinic at the Chusang Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. A fellow acupuncturist and myself will be in Nepal for about three weeks and plan to treat about 1,000 patients in that time.

We have an invitation to join a medical team to treat patients at an orphanage in Senegal, West Africa in May 2010 but there are many opportunities to do this work. There are opportunities in Guatemala, Nicaragua, India, Thailand, Myanmar, Uganda and many others.

With the help of some good friends I was able to incorporate as a non-profit under the name AMG FOUNDATION and am able to receive tax-exempt donations. The non-profit status will be in effect by the beginning of 2010 so I can receive funds now and supply a tax-exempt form for donors that can be used for the 2009 tax year. So far I have been financing the trips myself.

I realize that times are difficult for most of us these days and money is tight. Certainly I know this in my own life. I would like you to consider just a small donation to AMG FOUNDATION to help pay for treatments in Nepal as well as for ongoing missions. Just $10.00 can pay for the supplies to give an acupuncture treatment for 5 patients. A small amount goes a long way.

If you are a practitioner and wish to contribute supplies please email me and can let you know what is needed.

Please consider a donation.
Send checks made out to AMG FOUNDATION to:

Anthony M. Giovanniello
110-64 Queens Blvd.
#236
Forest Hills, NY 11375

Your support of my work is so appreciated.
With thanks,
Anthony