Soldiers share power of touch with veterans

Julia Yubeta

WBAMC Public Affairs

More than 15 Soldiers from the Fort Bliss Restoration and Resilience Center visited the Ambrosia Guillen Texas State Veterans Home in Northeast El Paso July 15 to share with fellow veterans the benefits of the 15-minute StressOut Program.

The program was designed by Jerry Vest, an Army veteran and a clinical social worker with William Beaumont Army Medical Center’s R and R Center. The program was first developed by Vest in 1979. After giving more than 40,000 “stressouts” over a 30-year period, he has learned that the program is safe with all populations.

Vest introduced the program to the residents of the veterans home by showing a “Welcome Home from the Wars” DVD, and an instructional video about the “stressout” program, and a video that provided guidelines for the safe use of touch.

“Both the giver and receiver of this program serve as partners to connect the vitality of breath with the power of touch,” said Vest. “This brings about mindfulness as an intrinsic awareness program for both the giver and receivers of touch and physical interaction.”

He explained that while systematically applying pressure points and introducing the “laying-on-of-hands,” we remind the givers and receivers to maintain an awareness of their breath throughout the activity.

“The chair-like massage becomes like a partner meditation – relaxing yet energetic,” he said.

Willie Brown, activities director at the veterans home, said he had been working with Vest for more than a year. “This is a fantastic program that highlights the power of touch and its healing benefits. 

“Many of our veterans have forgotten about touch. The only touch they routinely receive is when they need help transferring from bed to their wheelchair,” he said. 

“I watch their faces and can visibly see the release of tension. They comment on how good they feel afterwards.

“The benefits are two-fold, for both the Soldiers, as the givers, and for our elderly veterans.”

The veterans from the home were brought to the activities room in two groups to allow for maximum participation. One of the residents said she was a little hesitant and didn’t know what to expect. Her Soldier partner talked steadily to her while gently employing the techniques he had learned. She smiled and relaxed and asked when they were coming again. 

After the session, a Soldier commented that this was his second visit, but wouldn’t be his last. He added that it felt good to feel someone relax using the techniques they had been taught. Another Soldier added that he felt comfortable being around other veterans and felt a sense of brotherhood. Both Soldiers said they had learned a lot about the power of touch.

“This healing touch is a gift from the wounded warriors to you, and from you to them,” said Vest to the elderly veterans. “Everyone can benefit from the power of touch.”