The Role of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Massage in Disaster Relief in Japan

Summary: While there have been reports of support by various medical professionals in disaster relief, there have been few reports of support by acupuncture. In particular, there are few reports in English on the continued support provided by acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage in disaster-prone Japan, the fact that support is not limited to evacuees but also includes support workers, and the fact that whole-body treatment is being provided safely. This paper reports on the support activities of an organization that has dispatched acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage therapists to six major disasters since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 to provide disaster relief. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the Disaster Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage Relief Project has dispatched acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage therapists in 6 major disasters in 2011. The number of people the project have dispatched includes 190 to six cities and towns in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, 17 to one city in the 2015 flood, 21 to two villages in the 2016 earthquake, 34 to one city in the 2018 flood, 41 to two cities and towns in the 2019 flood, and 54 to three cities and towns in the 2014 earthquake. Support was provided not only to evacuees in shelters but also to supporters who were themselves victims of the disaster, including local police and fire department personnel, administrative staff, and medical personnel. For example, the water restoration may have been accelerated by removing the fatigue and physical pain of water department employees who were working without sleep in areas where water had been cut off. The treatment was provided in a private environment using tents. Treatment was often given to the whole body, including the limbs, abdomen, and back. Symptoms addressed included pain and fatigue as well as mental health issues.