B’Ahava Wellness is a newly formed organization that aims to treat any IDF soldier currently located in the New York area who sustained physical stresses while serving in the IDF. The organization will be hosting its next event on Feb. 23, which will be open to IDF veterans and any relatives who were impacted by the soldier’s service. The upcoming February program will mark B’Ahava Wellness’s fourth monthly session since the organization launched three months ago.
One of the co-founders of the organization, who requested anonymity, shared the procedure required for an individual to get involved with B’Ahava Wellness: Prior to a participant’s first session, they speak with the co-founder, who is also the lead physician, via phone to discuss their main health concerns post-IDF service or service of their relative. The physician uses this information to determine the services that would be most beneficial for the participant.
At the treatment sessions, there are a wide range of health practitioners present to treat the participants. These practitioners are accomplished health professionals in the New York area who, despite busy professional schedules, generously donate their time and expertise to help these soldiers and family members. The practitioners use manual therapy techniques with an approach to the whole body, which incorporate myofascial release techniques and craniosacral therapy, allowing a release of emotional trauma that may have occurred along with physical injury. “The impact of these manual therapies are very powerful on our total function and ability to heal ourselves,” said Joyce Bendavid, a private practitioner who treats soldiers during these sessions. The organization’s lead physician finds this healing approach to be successful, as it sometimes only requires one session for the participant to feel relief. “Having worked with these techniques for over 30 years, I’ve found this approach to work most efficiently and effectively.” The practitioners also use acupuncture, Reiki and movement therapies including Qigong, breath work and Feldenkrais/Awareness Through Movement and yoga.
The co-founders of this program have seen soldiers with exacerbations of pain in the neck, back, shoulders and knees. Many soldiers who have been treated had preexisting pain that was aggravated due to their IDF service, particularly by carrying heavy equipment.
If the participant needs additional treatment beyond the monthly treatment session, they will either be referred to an outside practitioner to be seen pro bono, or B’Ahava Wellness will cover any costs of further treatment.
The co-founders have already seen positive transformation among the participants: “All of our participants benefited, but at least one participant each session experienced dramatic, life-changing improvements,” said one co-founder. The other co-founder has also seen how impactful this program has been after only a few sessions. “One of the participants, who had sustained head trauma and other muscular injuries, had not [really] slept in nine months, and following these sessions, he said that he felt the treatment saved his life and he was able to sleep for the first time in nine months.” Another participant felt improvement in his back pain following the day of intensive treatment at the B’Ahava Wellness program. “I can’t remember when my back felt this good,” he said.
If you have served in the IDF and are experiencing physical stress, are a relative of someone who has served and experiences physical stress due to their service, or know of someone who could benefit from this treatment, please reach out to [email protected] to speak with the founder about the upcoming session and how B’Ahava Wellness can help. All details about the upcoming session will be provided after speaking with the founder.
