Coleen Connolly, RN, MAc treats a Nepalese monk.

How did you get involved with AWB?
After practicing acupuncture in the greater Portland area for almost 20 years, I became a charter member of Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) whose vision is to “foster the creation of stable, peaceful global communities through its community-based acupuncture services and training which interrupt the cycles of unresolved trauma.” Here in Portland, I volunteer at the Portland veterans acupuncture clinic (PVAC), a free acupuncture clinic for war veterans and their families, established to help ease the symptoms of combat fatigue.

Why did your group go to Nepal?
In an effort to expand its reach, AWB is beginning an international program this fall called World Healing Exchange. The first international volunteer effort was our two week trip to Nepal: October 23-November 7, 2009. The intention of this program was to provide service and training to local health promoters and to learn from indigenous and traditional healers in these locations about their healing practices. During this founding journey, AWB members offered free acupuncture clinics in Katmandu and local monasteries, met with, and learned from, traditional healers and provided training to local people.

What was your favorite part of the experience?
I loved the richness of the group experience – both learning from the other acupuncturists I was traveling with, and the meditative calm that happens when we treat people in a group.

For people who don’t know acupuncture – is there a non-acupuncture analogy you can compare it to?
It is like the difference between watching a movie in your own living room, vs. watching the movie in a theater with other people. There is a different power in a group experience. In addition to many people being together heightening the overall experience, the treatments we do are done in silence so I find the meditative calm of the group becomes even more powerful.

To learn more about Coleen Connolly, RN, MAc or acupuncture, see our website.