Shortly after the extent of the Hurricane Katrina disaster became evident, Citizens for Health began accepting donations to help fund an integrative medicine hurricane relief effort. Here is an update from Rachel Toomin, AP on the results of your generous contributions.
Dear Citizens for Health members,
The first team from the Integrative Medicine Hurricane Relief Effort has returned from Louisiana. Deborah Williams AP and Rachel Toomim AP spent a week at the Integrated Support Command center in Alexandria, LA. What follows is their reporting of events.
Approximately 200 ear acupuncture treatments were offered to Coast Guard, FEMA, NOAA and other agency personnel. Many of the personnel within these agencies were originally stationed in the southern Louisiana and other Gulf coast areas. They lost their command stations, their homes and in some cases family members as a result of the storms. However, they continued to provide relief to others throughout the storm-afflicted areas.
The treatment offered was the ear acupuncture protocol used at Ground Zero and other sites in New York City after 9/11. This simple, yet effective ear treatment provided a sense of calm and mental clarity to all those who received it. Many noticed a reduction in their anxiety and depression, improved ability to cope, relief from insomnia, and a reduction of a variety of aches and pains that impaired their abilities to continue the relief work that was so desperately needed.
We were amazed by their openness to the acupuncture and other modalities offered. The great majority had never received acupuncture. There were also massage therapists that came into the command center several times per week. The Coast Guard provided medical staff, counseling, crisis intervention and stress management services and spiritual counseling.
We were able to secure donations of Chinese herbs from Golden Flower Chinese Herbs and Blue Poppy Herbs. These were “first aid” type formulas that helped relief workers deal with or ward off colds and flu’s and provided support to their immune systems. Additionally Xymogen, Inc. sent us large quantities of vitamins and other supplements to dispense. The relief workers were thrilled to receive these supplements and were glad to have support in keeping themselves healthy through their extended hour and physically/mentally grueling days.
We treated everyone from the captain in command of the relief efforts to reservists flown in from Hawaii. The majority of the medical and counseling staffs also received acupuncture. Their appreciation of our support was deeply moving.
It was amazing to see the results right before our eyes. One young man from the Coast Guard came to us in severe acute stress disorder. When he first sat down to receive the treatment he was trying to read the newspaper. His legs were bouncing up and down nervously as he sat, toes tapping while he shuffled the pages. After about 10 minutes his knees stopped bouncing. He looked calmly at me, “You remind me of a friend in Seattle.” His voice was calm and we spoke for a while of anything but trauma. The beauty of the acupuncture treatment is that it was not necessary for him to recant his horrifying experiences in New Orleans in order for me to help him. The tiny needles triggered his body’s own ability for calm and balance. Below are his comments and those of others who received acupuncture during our stay. We are currently coordinating with the Coast Guard and other agencies to provide more practitioners in various sites in the storm struck areas. We appreciate all the support we have received through Citizens for Health and thank you for you continued support.
Sincerely,
Rachel Toomim AP
Quotes:
"I suffer from acute stress disorder and after one treatment I felt so at ease and relaxed. Acupuncture is something I would recommend to anyone." MST3 Mullin
"My back and right leg and neck pain were reduced by 95%. The numbness that was going down my right arm is gone" . D. Thiel. P.A.C. (ISC Medical)
"After 12 hours when I return to the hotel, I am normally exhausted, noticed after treatment that was not the case".
"The treatment really relaxed my body and mind and when it was complete, I felt more at ease. My stress was relieved and I felt good." HS2 Michael McClantoc
"The treatment was truly great. It helped me relax instantly as if all the tension and pressure from my body left my body little by little. Thanks for your time and assistance". V/R Lt. Cmdr. Hector
"Recommend the point of a hundred meetings. Great stress reliever and always good to take some time out of the day to relax. This is the perfect supplement." YN2Schaffer
"Let yourself relax for 30 minutes! Enjoy the experience, drink astragalus, and forget about your worries...believe in this preventative measure". gs
"Very relaxing and calming. In fact I'm so relaxed I can hardly hold this pen and write." MK2
"Very relaxing. Would recommend to everyone. Puts you in a place that you don't want to leave, pure calmness."
"First time, will come back, anxious to see how long it will last. Thanks
"This experience has truly been a remarkable one! I definitely felt a change in the upper portion of my body. Recommend it to others. Thank you."
"At first, I was scared to get needles in my ears, but then I felt much more relaxed after."
"I would recommend the de-stressing treatment to anyone under these stressful circumstances, all would benefit."
