If you would like to connect by phone or in person to discuss this project, please contact Michael Lear at +1.484.542.0249. 

Special Forces Foundation is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit in the State of Colorado.

The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that more than a third (1.5 million) of the nearly 3.8 million men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since September 2001 and are veterans have a service-connected disability.  Each year a devastating number of veterans commit suicide from PTSD related pain.  Suicide among post-9/11 veterans rose more than tenfold from 2006 to 2020. Who Are the Nation’s Veterans? (census.gov)

A recent citation by An American Wariors Partnership Report - Operation Deep Dive states that suicide rates in some states are as much as 2.4 times greater than previously reported with up to 40 suicides per day.  

According to Special Operations Association of America, (SOAA) Special Operations Forces (SOF) who play a major role in counter terrorism, have a suicide rate 30% greater than conventional military.

Low back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal disorders are significant causes of veteran disability and suffering.  Not to mention the anguish of the veterans and their families.  

While pain medication and muscle relaxers provide temporary relief, increasing the options and access to efficacious, non-addictive treatments for trauma related pain and musculoskeletal pain from injury are necessary. 

Significant positive outcomes have resulted from using The Trager® Approach as a treatment adjunct for veterans suffering from PTSD and musculoskeletal pain.  Optimism and enthusiasm were expressed by those receiving sessions, many of whom stated that they had experienced relief from chronic pain for the first time.  It is these encouraging reports that are driving the pursuit of formal research to demonstrate the efficacy of the Trager® Approach as an adjunct to current therapeutic modalities.  Unique to Trager® is it's non-invasive approach to touch and movement to work with nervous-system to restores neuro-adaptive balance in the musculoskeletal system.

Additionally, Trager® protocols, can be taught to Special Operations Combat Medical Teams (SOCM) to be used in the field during deployments to mitigate cumulative stress, which may lead to complex unresolved trauma.  These protocols can also address musculoskeletal pain early after missions to prevent further complications. Trager® also has the potential to decrease the likelihood of injury during training caused by overuse and repetition, which may enhance performance optimization and preparedness.

During conversations with veterans, active service members, VA care coordinators, and others within the Preservation of The Forces and Family (POTFF),  it was suggested I take the next step toward inclusion of The Trager® Approach among VA treatment options.  While there is encouraging experiential feedback, formal research is necessary.

I've been advised of two pathways to proceed forward:  Either through the government grant funnel - a laborious and convoluted channel requiring administrative resources not available to me or directly through a distinct Special Forces portal which will enable me to work directly with Special Forces research teams as long as I provide the funding.   This latter option is the most viable and highest leverage.  

The Neuromuscular Research Laboratory/ Warrior Human Performance Research Center (NMRL) at the University of Pittsburgh* is the desired research partner.   For over three decades the UPITT research lab has conducted studies on performance enhancement for the military. Leveraging already proven research installations, methods, labs, protocols and acceptance metrics assures reliable and actionable outcomes that won't require further verification or vetting. Research will measure the impact of the Trager® Approach on the traumatized brain, and nervous system, pain reduction, and its psycho-socio-emotional benefits. Musculoskeletal awareness enhancement toward prevention of injury will be assessed as well as recovery from injury sustained during military training.

Another tier of activity is to conduct a pilot training program for Special Operations Combat Medical Teams to use Trager® in the field after an operation to de-escalate the nervous system in real time rather than have the trauma effects accumulate to a potentially devastating degree. The Colorado University Anschutz Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research is one such location being considered.

Eventually our work will expand to Veteran Professional training in Trager® so veterans can work in clinics to help their own community. For this latter opportunity to become available to them, research and VA approval is necessary.  Again, your support for this research is vital to unlock these potentials for our active military and veterans.  A pilot Level 1 Professional Training for Veterans is slated for later this Summer 2024.

*Dr.Tiffany Field of the Touch Research Institute of the University of Miami is another potential source of research oversight being considered.

The SOF community is composed of the most elite forces in the US Military. They are highly trained soldiers who typically work in small, tactical teams on the Army’s most varied and sensitive missions.  They're made up of five units, each with a unique specialty, take on the Army’s most challenging missions and requires extensive training to ensure physical and mental resiliency.

Special Forces (SF), also referred to as the legendary Green Berets, is an elite, multi-purpose force for high priority operational targets of strategic importance. Their linage dates back to more than 200 years of unconventional warfare history, with notable predecessors including the Revolutionary War Swamp Fox Francis Marion, the WWII OSS Jedbourg Teams and Detachment 101 in Burma, as well as the Alamo Scouts. Since their establishment in 1952, Special Forces soldiers have distinguished themselves in Vietnam (17 Medals of Honor), El Salvador, Panama, Desert Shield/Storm, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Most recently, SF has played a critical role in Destroying Taliban/al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, rooting out insurgents in Iraq, training foreign troops to fight terrorists or drug warlords, and crossing the globe to liberate the oppressed.

Developed over 90 years ago for treating polio and sciatica, The Trager® Approach to movement re-education facilitates lasting neuro-muscular improvement. Dr. Milton Trager, a veteran, was a recipient of three battles stars in the United States Navy. In the development of his approach, Dr. Trager would work on fellow service members during wartime service at sea on the U.S.S. Thomas Stone.

Since its inception, Dr. Trager’s work in psycho-physical integration has incorporated components of what is now understood as Mindfulness, Trauma-informed practices, and Non-Violent Communication in a tactile sense. Its efficacious underpinnings also leverage elements of Neuroplasticity, Epigenetics,
and Heart-Brain Coherence, which can positively impact PTSD symptoms.

The Trager® Approach utilizes gentle touch and movement as a language to dialogue with the nervous system which appears to quickly establish a psycho-emotional, neuro-physiological state of trust and safety distinct from massage. This "somatically" held space allows the nervous system to down-regulate and release dysfunctional musculoskeletal holding patterns that manifest as pain and functional limitation. These compensatory patterns are in response to injuries, surgeries, or traumas of various kinds and PTSD. Vagal tone can be restored, the capacity for social engagement can be positively recalibrated. Through the reduction in pain, increase in mobility, and capacity to relax, a greater sense of wholeness and well-being may result. Empowering self-care movement exercises are provided so that clients may recall, elicit, and habituate relaxation responses like those experienced during their session

Michael Lear, a Trager® practitioner and instructor, has been at the forefront of mind-body medicine, yoga, and meditation for over 30 years. 

Lear serves as an advisor for the United States Trager® Association board, has served on the management team for Instructors for Trager® International and he mentors new instructors.

Michael maintains a private practice through an integrative wellness center, NuHouse in Easton, PA, where he addresses chronic pain as well as trauma related pain and anxiety. Veterans suffering from PTS are among his client base.

Lear was recognized with a cover article in Massage Therapy Journal for his work introducing Trager® to physical therapists in post-tsunami Sri Lanka, which he has also done in Japan.

He recently contributed a full chapter on ‘The Trager® Approach’ in an alternative therapy guide to addressing Veterans’ PTSD, Total War On PTSD by Courtenay Nold and was featured on Mt. Carmel's The Veterans Voice podcast along with the owners of Solvum Health Clinic, in Colorado Springs, who are central to this project.

Lear also a professional drummer, offers touring wellness services, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and International Management from Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. and has worked extensively in the corporate world. He also holds a Plant Based Nutrition certification through Cornell University, taught by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of The China Study and Whole.

While working as Director of International Relations for Real Medicine Foundation, Lear advocated for refugees, the impoverished, displaced, and under-served, negotiating closely with UN Agencies,The WHO, and foreign government ministries to improve primary health care delivery and services. Lear worked extensively in Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and Haiti immediately following their 2010 earthquake. In addition to his efforts within these countries, Lear also managed initiatives in Armenia and Nigeria. South Sudan Medical Journal /Juba Link has cited Lear as a principal in initiating and establishing the country’s first College of Nursing and Midwifery, JCONAM.  See links below.

In addition to his international service, Lear served his local community of Easton PA for 10 years as a founding board member and Director of Court-Involved and Recovery Programs for The Shanthi Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization which conducts yoga and mindfulness classes at the county prison, juvenile center, and throughout the area’s school districts. Along with developing and overseeing the criminal justice programming, Lear also served as a trauma recovery yoga instructor and lead teacher trainer. He has worked extensively within the prison and juvenile justice system. Lear was responsible for Shanti Project being awarded PA’s first Federal Victims Of Crime Act (VOCA) grant for Mindfulness and Trauma informed yoga in a Residential Juvenile Treatment Center. As both a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 Certified Instructor and Continuing Education provider (YACEP), he teaches Yoga Anatomy for Yoga Alliance Ashtanga Teacher Certification courses and has conducted workshop internationally.

The Special Forces Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization serving U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and their families. The foundation has agreed to be the recipient of donor funds for this research project and will administer and account for funds dedicated to research activity.

The Special Forces Foundation provides a range of programs aligned with the SOCOM Commander’s Preservation of The Force and Family (POTFF) program, designed to address the fraying of the forces after nearly two decades of sustained combat.

Their programs contribute to the maintenance of the mind and body and provide acute and ongoing support in resolving psychological, emotional, and relationship issues before they become chronic. 

Click below to donate to the:

The Trager® Approach & Special Forces Performance Optimization and Trauma Recovery Research Project.

Thank You.

Please note:  Aside from session therapist and training costs, the research considerations and proposed expenditures are estimated and not based on actual facility usage or technician costs.  The disbursement of funds is subject to change depending on the Special Operations Command recommendations as their priorities and protocols necessitate, and the actual facility usage and research charges.

• Proposed short-term research to demonstrate Trager® efficacy across a variety of applications initially.

• Greater treatment efficacy and lasting recovery more than massage for addressing PTS related pain and anxiety experienced by veterans.

• Performance enhancement and reduction of performance related injury during SOF training and active duty.

• Active Operation (in the field) or post op de-escalation to prevent accumulation of deep seated psycho-neuro emotional/ musculoskeletal trauma patterns that may compromise performance and post-deployment well-being.

• Train Special Operations Combat Medics in a somatic, polyvagal down-regulation protocol for in the field application.

• Veterans can be trained* to a certified professional level to work in clinics to address the veteran community (* through VA Voc Rehab)

• Spouses could be trained as well for at-home support.

• Further investigation of releasing trauma patterns before and post surgery to improve interventions for candidates receiving extensive neuro-modulation surgery for lower limb motor control.

Session Research:  PTS and Pain Mitigation: Total Investment $200,000

50 veterans @ 14 sessions each = 700 sessions @ $250 /session*     = $175,000

$25,000 additional grant for institutional usage, oversight, and reporting.

Session Research: Performance Related Injury Reduction and Recovery: Total Investment: $105,000

30 veterans @ 14 sessions each = 420 sessions @ $250 /session* = $105,000

*Research Session Cost Breakdown
$175/ session therapist
$ 75/ session research oversight, related expenses, facility*

Total Session Research Investment:  $305,500

Training Special Operations Combat Medics (SOCM)             

Total Investment: $97,280

Through a 48hr. Trager® Level 1 Professional training, Combat Medics will learn a Trager-based PolyVagal down regulation protocol to perform in the field during deployments, and for post-mission de-escalation to prevent cumulative neuro-muscular stress patterns that potentially lead to pain and functional limitation. Interim treatment may decrease likelihood of injury during operations.

LEVEL 1 Professional Training plus Polyvagal Down-regulation Protocol $1890  per participant -  48 hrs training

Professional Skill Development Support over 4 mos: $1150 / participant   

3 sessions/tutorials each (6 total - 90min. sessions @ $175) plus materials -$100

Total per team member: $3040

2 Trainings x 16 persons/training

32 - $60,480 - Professional Training
32 - $36,800 - 4-6 months of Skill Development Support
—————————————————————————

Total Investment $97,280 - 32 SOC Medics @ $3040

Additional Clinical Support: Collecting Anecdotal Information - Veterans and Family Members

Total Investment: $35,000

200 - clinical sessions* @ $175 for veterans and family members suffering from PTS and vicarious trauma. *Not covered by VA.

This funding will finance treatments at clinics working with veterans who are benefiting from Trager® sessions.  Until approved as a VA covered treatment, this work is either not accessible to or is paid out of pocket by veterans.

Currently, Solvum Health Clinic , owned and operated by Trager® practitioner Angela Darling and Veteran Roberto Rangel, a student of Trager®, is the only clinic in Colorado Springs offering veterans The Trager® Approach by a certified practitioner.  

Near Fort Carson and The 10th Special Forces Group, Solvum Clinic has been central to the genesis of this project and will play a major role in moving the project forward.  NuHouse in Easton, PA will also be a hub for veteran support activity.

Estimated Total Pilot Research Grant Expenditures:

Trauma Pain Mitigation and Performance Optimization Research: $305,000
Special Forces Medics Trainings: $ 97,280
Veteran Clinical Support $ 35,000 
Project Management $ 75,225

Estimated Total: $512,505

Project Management $ 75,225*

$48,500 - Project planning, coordination, and oversight

$26,725 - Project administration: accounting, reporting

* Following Charity Navigator's Transparency and Financial Responsibility metric, project management is less than 15% of project estimated total.

If you would like to connect with me (Michael Lear) by phone or in person to discuss this project, please contact me at +1.484.542.0249.  I'd welcome the opportunity to share more about these new developments.

Clicking "Donate Now" will take you to the Special Forces Foundation (SFF) Website. Tax deductible donations will be maintained and administered by SFF. Please indicate that your contribution is for the:

 The Trager® Approach - Special Forces Performance Optimization and Trauma Recovery Research Project.  

Thank you for joining me in saying "Thank you" to our veterans, our nations heroes.

For information on attending the Special Forces Foundation Inaugural Gala at the George. W. Bush Library in Dallas, TX this March 2024, please click here.

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