Acupuncturists Bring Help to Fire Evacuees
When devastating fires recently raced through large sections of Southern California, a team of acupuncturists were among the responders who provided needed aid, comfort and assistance to many of the victims. The large scale evacuation efforts affected over 500,000 people from San Diego to North Los Angeles County. One of the largest groups of temporarily homeless people found shelter at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
Even though California was much better prepared for a major natural disaster than the city of New Orleans was for Hurricane Katrina, the evacuation of 500,000 people was no small task. One can hardly imagine the nasty air quality caused by the raging fires, much less the stress endured by so many in having to leave homes that might not be there when they returned.
In San Diego County, over 12,000 people found refuge at Qualcomm. Fortunately for them, the site was quite well prepared as a rescue facility with numerous relief efforts in place to keep their physical discomfort to a minimum.
One of the very positive experiences for many at the site was the fact that Acupuncture treatments provided by students, faculty and alumni of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) played a big role in the relief effort. Also joining in to help were hardworking volunteers from Acupuncturists Without Borders and members of the Alternative Healing Network.
In total, more than 1,200 evacuees, volunteers and firefighters were treated with Acupuncture, massage and homeopathy at Qualcomm and two additional area evacuation centers. The benefits they received from their treatments were multifold. Acupuncture and massage both offer help to people who have respiratory problems, especially in the case where fire smoke was inhaled. People who suffer from asthma and other breathing problems can experience over-stimulation of the nervous system. Acupuncture can provide a physical release from the smoky condition problems and emotional help to those experiencing a great deal of extra stress caused by the emergency situation.
Denise Gaitan was a treated evacuee. “I feel really relaxed now,” she said. “It’s a very tough time and this is a great momentary relief from a tense situation.” Another volunteer, Cynthia Jackson worked at the Kid’s Station. She sought relief fror stress and high blood pressure, and she found it with Acupuncture. “I have a whole new outlook,” she said. “Julia (her acupuncturist) did a wonderful, gentle job and handled me with a lot of love. I definitely plan on coming to the clinic (at PCOM) for Acupuncture.”
The evacuees were certainly the beneficiaries of the experience, but so were the acupuncturists. Julia Sanfilippo is a PCOM student who gained first-hand experienced in seeing immediate improvements in the evacuees and volunteers she treated. “People seemed much more relaxed. I treated more than 10 people in the first few hours I was here, and in each patient I think treatment was effective for them.”