A pilot study shows that acupuncture may help people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine – Apr 2009