As a U.S. Army veteran, I am keenly aware of the challenge our military veterans face in recovering from trauma and injury. I also am always interested in what I can do personally to help address the needs of our wounded warriors and other victims of trauma.
 
As director of community relations for Osprey Global Solutions, I’ve had an opportunity to become involved with the philanthropic arm of our organization, the Osprey Relief Foundation.
 
While Osprey Global Solutions is a global consulting company specializing in security, medical, financial forensics, and construction, our foundation is involved in several projects to support military, law enforcement, firefighter and EMT veterans in ways that honor those who have served selflessly.

One of our partners in this work is TRE Global Solutions. Working with TRE and the Osprey Relief Foundation, we are beginning a study with the Wounded Warrior Project on the benefit of therapeutic exercises on sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
 
Diane Gobrogge of Coastal Acupuncture is our local expert on TRE, and here is how she explains how it works:
TRE (Tension & Trauma Release Exercise) is an innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. TRE safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, which can calm down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return back to a state of balance.
 
Recent research supports the idea that stress, tension and trauma are both psychological and physical. TRE's reflexive muscle vibrations generally feel pleasant and soothing. After doing TRE, many people report feelings of peace and well-being. Since this shaking mechanism in the muscles is part of our natural behavior as humans, everyone can benefit from TRE. This shaking of the muscles, increases the resiliency of the body because it causes deep relaxation that naturally reduces stress levels. Some of the reported benefits include: less worry and anxiety, more energy and endurance, less workplace stress, better sleep and reduced muscle and back pain.
 
TRE can be taught as either a simple self-help, tension reduction technique in a physical exercise program or as an effective complementary practice when integrated with other treatment modalities by those in the healing professions. It can be a technique used in the treatment of PTSD and anxiety disorder recovery. Once learned, TRE can be used as needed throughout one's life, thereby continuously supporting and promoting personal health and well-being.
 
TRE has many applications beyond helping Veterans with PTSD. It can help anyone who has been a victim of trauma or extreme stress and anxiety. This includes victims of violence, sexual assault, emotional and physical abuse, and natural disasters. TRE techniques can also be helpful for those of us who juggle the stresses of work and family.
I’m excited that the Osprey Relief Foundation and TRE Global Solutions are working together to find out more about how this therapy can help PTSD sufferers, particularly our veterans, and other victims of trauma. We owe them this effort and so much more.
 
Holly Grange is the Director of Community Relations at Osprey Global Solutions and is a firearms instructor for Osprey Armament. She is a certified NRA instructor in Basic Pistol, Basic Rifle, and Personal Protection in the Home and is certified by the North Carolina Department of Justice as a Concealed Carry Handgun Instructor. She is a 15-year U.S. Army veteran, an attorney and a licensed real estate broker.