YUBA-SUTTER REGION, CA (MPG) – The Feather River Tea Party Patriots, in cooperation with Stephanie Ruscigno, U.S. Army veteran, hosted a unique and informative event – the Veterans PTSD Town Hall.

Open to anyone suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the event was mostly attended by veterans who wanted to know more about cutting edge science and treatments for the disorder from a pair of doctors out of Maine, that call themselves The Integrative Docs.

Doctors Richard Matthews, a Board-Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Dr. Ruth Moore, an Integrative Health Practitioner and Cognitive Behaviorist, make up The Integrative Docs duo, who specialize in reducing the effects of stress responses in the body and promoting health and wellness through complementary and alternative medicines and treatments. Dr. Matthews and Dr. Moore collaborate and travel or present via zoom, scientific data, research, and treatments that can help those suffering from PTSD understand the disease.

As stated in the Integrative Doc’s power point presentation to the veterans that evening, “PTSD is not a mental health condition, but a neurobiological injury, much like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).”  The presentation went on to illustrate how PTSD appears on and can be diagnosed by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Positron Emissions Tomography (PET) scans. Dr. Matthews and Dr. Moore discussed allostatic load, adrenal fatigue and provided those in attendance with a foundation for self-care and tools for creating H.O.P.E for wellness: Honoring yourself; Organizing needs; Prioritizing your schedule; Empowering your life.

Dr. Moore who practices at Downeast Wellness Holistic Health Services and treats many struggling with disorders besides PTSD says that “You don’t have to be a slave to your stress. You don’t have to be a slave to your condition. It’s understanding that you have hope, or creating hope, or embracing hope, [it] means that you are seeing things from a different perspective. Ultimately, our happiness, our stress levels – it all depends on the mindset or the perception we have.” A pivotal concept in her practice, she continues ,“in mind-body medicine, our minds have the power to heal our bodies.”

Many veterans suffering from mental health issues, MST (military sexual trauma) or PTSD express frustration with the “pop-a-pill, cure an ill” or traditional pharmaceutical approach of treating the sometimes severe physical and mental conditions manifest by those disorders. The Integrative Docs believe that “Medication is never a 1^st choice,” saying that “it removes responsibility, accountability, and some of our constitutional freedoms.” Dr. Matthews and Dr. Moore educate that although PTSD cannot be cured, it can be mitigated through neurolinguistic reprogramming, behavioral therapy, autonomic nervous system balancing therapy and coaching.  They promote healthy diet, physical exercise, stretching and breathing exercises, along with holistic practices of using essential oils, acupuncture, mindfulness and more to treat PTSD.

Ruscigno, who helped bring the Integrative Docs to the forum, has benefitted personally from the resources and information that is shared nationwide by Dr. Moore and Dr. Matthews. It has become a passion for her to spread this life-changing information to veterans and anyone struggling with mental or physical health issues that could benefit from it. “I believe the Integrative Docs message needs to get out. How many suicides prevented and lives-lived more fully?” she questioned. Ruscigno secured the Integrative Docs’ expert advice with a personal financial donation, so that the nearly 60 veterans and the Feather River Tea Party Patriots in attendance at the PTSD Town Hall could benefit from the science.

The feedback from those in attendance was profound. Ruscigno shares that a woman, who asked to remain anonymous said, “the affirmation she got was both comforting and encouraging. Tears welled.” Others in attendance reported they planned to get MRI’s for diagnostic purposes as soon as possible.  U.S. Navy Vet, Jonathan Bibbins said, “Awesome presentation. Bringing a conscience to the needs of veterans warriors is necessary.” He ended with “I look forward to your next presentation.”

For more information visit Dr. Ruth Moore, MSc.D, CCA-APAIA at downeastwellness.com and Dr. Richard Matthews, DC, DACNB at Neurodoc4u.com. For more information on the Feather River Tea Party Patriots, please visit their Facebook page.