A TEAM of South Woodford physicians and consultants will be flying out to the USA in a few weeks to help their American counterparts treat people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The group, led by Dr Michael Lytton of the Life Care health clinic in Hermon Hill, will join American physicians and counsellors in helping people recover from the terror attacks of last month.

Dr Lytton and his colleagues, who are waiting to find out exactly when they will depart, have already been treating patients here to cope with what they saw when hijacked planes were crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York.

He said: People don't have to be directly affected by the tragedy. They haven't necessarily lost a relative or friend. We've been treating people here for PTSD who saw it all unfold on television like most people did that day.

Watching something like that happen before their very eyes has affected a lot of people in different ways. An experience like this has meant that many people are suffering from PTSD and need help in dealing with it.

Dr Lytton said: Often people are suffering from pain, whether as a result of an accident or a condition.

Although we can't cure the pain, we look at people's lives and devise a programme for them in which they can control the pain and lead a normal life.

Treatments are also offered for stress related problems, sleep disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.

The consultants are trained in physiotherapy, aromatherapy, reflexology or acupuncture.

Dr Lytton said: Our aim is to reduce the disability and distress caused by persistent pain and improve quality of life.