My name is Michele Ruppert.  I am a retired naval officer of 22 years.  I am now a nationally certified and locally licensed Holistic Health Practitioner specializing in advanced therapeutic and medicinal massage-bodywork.  The focus of my practice is to help people release chronic pain and feel a new sense of freedom – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.   The intention of my practice is to release and realign connective tissue so the people feel balanced throughout their whole body, which magically opens their conscious awareness that allows people live positive, fulfilling lives.

 

Because of the profound benefits that advanced massage-bodywork therapies provide, I would like to share an idea with you that could change how we provide alternative healthcare to facilities who support military personnel, veterans, and people who provide direct support to government/military operations.  These target groups of people include all military (active duty, retired, people who served the military but did not retire, and their dependents) and government contractors (and their dependents).

 

Possibility of this Project

With the ongoing war efforts since early 2000 along with continuous, intense deployments worldwide by military, veteran, and other personnel supporting government operations and with the barriers these people and their families are experiencing in receiving adequate healthcare services when they return to the United States, there is an urgent need to help heal and reintegrate these people back into society.

 

In order to help government/military hospital facilities, a massage-bodywork department/division and services could be established/incorporated as a part of the healthcare system.  This is a low cost and drugless alternative.  Depending on the health of the individual, a series of sessions can be designed in order to facilitate changes in their posture which automatically lessens their physical and emotional pain.  Completing a series of therapeutic and medicinal massage-bodywork sessions would change their life in a profoundly, positive way.

 

A Case for Action

What is so right about this project?

What is right about this project:  Massage-bodywork is not taken seriously in the mainstream US and governmental/military healthcare systems.  Massage-bodywork is not generally included as a part of the healing process of people who experience chronic pain and trauma, like physical therapy is.  Also, massage-bodywork is an out of pocket expense for people who can afford it and for people who know and understand the multitude of benefits of massage-bodywork.  Lastly, government/military hospital facilities are not able to handle all the healthcare needs (including both psychologically and physically) of returning personnel from the war and other worldwide deployments.

 

This project can create a realization that a paradigm shift is ideal for considering massage-bodywork as an intricate part of a healthcare program/system in government/military hospitals and rehabilitation programs.  There are numerous articles already written reporting the benefits of massage-bodywork that help alleviate the development of post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety disorders, and other pathologies.  By doing massage-bodywork sessions, everyone who is connected within the healing process will experience the positive results of what massage-bodywork can do to heal people physically and emotionally and will see how it will change lives in positive, nurturing ways.

 

What is the predictable future if no action is taken?

The predictable future if no action is taken is that many people returning from Iraq and other intense deployments will continue to suffer unnecessarily.  They will not be able to fully participate and contribute to society.  Only the people who are aware of their bodies and who have the money will seek massage-bodywork treatments to heal and feel better.

 

The way the future could be in this area if a new possibility was created in San Diego?

The way the future could be is for massage-bodywork to be implemented as a part of the government/military healthcare system, like physical therapy is today.  The Veterans Administration (VA) San Diego Healthcare System (which includes the Medical Center in La Jolla, the 5 Community Clinics (in Chula Vista, Escondido, Imperial Valley, Mission Valley, and Vista), and the Vet Centers (in San Diego and San Marcos)), the Balboa Hospital and all the supporting TRICARE facilities, and other non-profit active duty/veterans organizations can be the innovative organization(s) to make this possibility attainable.  People will recover quicker, be healthier, and we would have more productivity in their local communities.  Massage-bodywork therapies are a perfect complement to other healthcare remedies, like a proper diet, exercise, counseling, physical therapy, and more.

 

My Actions Taken

1.  Since June 2008, I have been attending the San Diego United Veterans Council (SDUVC) meetings.

   a.  The SDUVC has hosted my website on their website to help promote my project.

   b.  I am coordinating with several veteran leaders to speak to their chapters about my community project and massage-bodywork therapy.

 

2.  Since July 2008, I have been attending the San Diego Veterans Administration (VA) "One VA" meetings.

   a.  Since July, I requested to the VA San Diego Healthcare System to provide a process for me to go through in order to get advanced massage-bodywork therapies approved in its healthcare system and as an approved treatment plan for their fee-basis system.  To date, no process has been provided/identified nor a point a contact provided to me, so that I can work/communicate with the VA's Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Panel.

 

3.  In August 2008, I met with the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network, Network 22 Logistic Office.  This meeting was sponsored by Southwest Veterans' Business Resource Center.  This meeting was very informative in providing information of how veteran-owned businesses can compete for contracts within the government.

 

A Request for Help

I would like to receive support for this possibility and the opportunity to make this happen in our community.  What can you do to help me make this project a reality?

 

Here are some ideas:

1.  Having organizations provide grant support or by providing resources and money contributions.

2.  For patients, informing your VA and/or TRICARE primary physicians that therapeutic and medicinal massage-bodywork therapies will help improve/enhance your natural healing process.

3.  For healthcare personnel, informing the appropriate VA and/or TRICARE management personnel to incorporate therapeutic and medicinal massage-bodywork therapies as alternative therapies for healing for all patients and healthcare personnel.

 

My Contact Information

Phone: (619) 890-0111

Email: micheleruppert@earthlink.net

Website: http://home.earthlink.net/~micheleruppert

 

References

Mental Health Injuries Scar 300,000 U.S. Troops: Only half of vets have sought

            help for depression, post-traumatic stress (April 17, 2008).  Retrieved

            June 26, 2008, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24183188/.

 

Military Personnel Who Serve in War Zones Face Increased Risk for Alcohol

Abuse, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and Marital and Family Conflict (November 15, 2007).  Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88908.php.

 

Psychological Needs of Military Personnel and Their Families are Increasing –

Straining Military Health Care System, Reports APA Task Force (February 25, 2007).  Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://www.apa.org/releases/military_health.html.

 

RAND Invisible Wounds of War Study: A Joint Project of RAND Health and the

            RAND National Security Research Division (June 12, 2008).  Retrieved

            June 26, 2008, from http://www.rand.org/multi/military/veterans/.

 

Tanielian, T. and Jaycox, L.H.  Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and

            Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery

            (June 12, 2008).  Retrieved June 26, 2008, from

            http://rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG720/.

 

Touch Research Institute (1997).  Retrieved April 29, 2008, from

            http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/.

 

Tyson, A.S.  Pentagon Report Criticizes Troops’ Mental-Health Care (June 16,

            2007).  Retrieved June 26, 2008, from

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/14/AR2007061401643.html.

 

Supporters of My Community Project

 

San Diego United Veterans Council

 

Landmark Education