AOCOPM 2025 Midyear Educational Conference-I - A Holistic Path to Recovery: Integrative Strategies for PTSD Management

I - A Holistic Path to Recovery: Integrative Strategies for PTSD Management - Jacqueline Junco, MD, MPH, AP, IMD

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The Murray Goldstein Commemorative Lecture in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine featured Dr. Jacqueline Hunco, an integrative medical physician with expertise in Western and traditional Chinese medicine. Dr. Hunco shared her personal journey with PTSD and her expansive "toolbox" of treatments, including acupuncture, nutrition, mind-body interventions, energy medicine, and herbal supplements. PTSD affects roughly 8% of Americans and has complex neurobiological and psychological components. Standard treatments like SSRIs and cognitive-behavioral therapy face challenges such as limited efficacy, high dropout rates, and accessibility issues.<br /><br />Integrative medicine combines conventional approaches with evidence-based complementary therapies, emphasizing holistic care of mind, body, and spirit. Modalities like mindfulness meditation, yoga, breathwork, acupuncture (including auricular therapy), and nutritional strategies targeting inflammation and gut health show promising effects in reducing PTSD symptoms. Dr. Hunco highlighted the importance of personalized care, collaborative practice, and lifestyle focus in improving outcomes and reducing polypharmacy. Challenges remain in insurance coverage, proper training, patient adherence, and quality control of supplements.<br /><br />She advocated for greater recognition of integrative care's role, continuing research, and technology integration such as telehealth and wearable biofeedback to enhance PTSD treatment. Dr. Hunco encouraged clinicians to expand their skill sets with integrative therapies to better serve patients with complex needs.

Keywords

Colonel Ribeiro

aerospace medicine

command surgeon

mishap investigation

human factors analysis

Human Factors Analysis and Classification System

Swiss cheese model

training mishap

risk management

PTSD treatment

Integrative medicine

Acupuncture

Mind-body interventions

Herbal supplements

Personalized care

Telehealth

Collaborative practice