A New Partnership: Bringing Acupuncture to Survivors of Human Trafficking

By Dr. Danielle Blech, DAC, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M.  |  The Acupuncture Portal, Gulfport, FL

July, 2026

The Acupuncture Portal is honored to announce a new partnership with Survivor Ventures as a holistic care provider in their wellness program, offering acupuncture to survivors of human trafficking, abuse and addiction.

Established in 2018, Survivor Ventures emerged out of a pursuit to fill the enormous gap in economic opportunity for survivors of human trafficking. They are currently operational in Virginia, Delaware and Florida, and are actively looking for partnerships to expand to other states.

Often, victims are arrested for their role as victim in the trafficking situation. Upon rescue or escape or, more frequently, release from jail, survivors of human trafficking attempt to find services to help them get back on their feet.

This work matters… and acupuncture specifically has a place in trauma recovery.

‍Talk therapy asks a person to put their trauma into words, which is necessary work but it's not the only kind. The body holds trauma in tight shoulders, disrupted sleep, a nervous system stuck in high alert long after danger has passed. Acupuncture works with that layer directly. A patient doesn't have to explain what happened to them and they don't have to perform composure or prove their pain is real. A treatment that asks nothing of them except to rest is its own kind of relief.

‍In my sessions, I'll be treating chronic pain, insomnia, hypervigilance, digestive issues, and the general disconnection from the body that trauma leaves behind. For clients in recovery from substance use, I'm also bringing the NADA protocol, a five-point ear acupuncture treatment to treat addiction and trauma.

I don't see my role here as fixing anyone. Survivors have already had their autonomy taken from them once. What I can offer is a way back into a body that felt unsafe for a long time, at a pace that belongs entirely to them.

‍If you want to learn more about Survivor Ventures and the full range of programs they run for survivors, you can find them at survivorventures.org.