1. Period and Place of Questionnaire
We volunteered acupuncture and moxibustion andconducted a questionnaire survey at the sametime: on April 17 in Community Center in Nakacity for 5 hours, on May 1 in Seishounen-Kaikan
in Mito-city for 5 hours, on May 4 in Civic
Gymnasium/evacuation shelter in Kita-Ibaragicity for 1 hour, on the same day in Maternity CareIto for 3 hours, on June 16 in Takahagi Kyodo
Hospital in Takahagi-city for 5 hours and July 31
in Kyu-Tokai-village Community Center for 2hours (Table 1).
2. Questionnaire subjects
The subjects were 148 persons who received
acupuncture and moxibustion by 5 volunteer
practitioners (total 13 practitioners) in the central
Ibaragi and northern Ibaragi.

5.1

3

5.4

4

6.16

5

7.31

Treatment hours

2No. of practitioners

4.17

Response rates

Introduction
Nine months have passed since the Great East
Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. This was themost powerful known earthquake ever to have hit
Japan, followed by repeated shocks as powerful as
the principal one. The earthquake triggered
powerful tsunami waves, causing a number ofnuclear plant accidents. The damage by bothdevastating earthquake and mega Tsunami was
exceptionally massive and reconstruction from thedevastation has not made the desired progress.
After the disaster, we performed acupuncture andmoxibustion as volunteers in Ibaragi-prefecture
designated as a semi-devastated zone. At the time
we conducted a questionnaire and gathered opinionsof other volunteer practitioners who had been
continually providing acupuncture and moxibustion,
which are summarized as follows:[Method]

1No. ofquestionnaires

2) Ayumi Midwife Clinic, Ayumi acupuncture and moxibustion Clinic3) National University Corporation, Tsukuba University of TechnologyPlace1) Center for Integrative Medicine, Tsukuba University of TechnologyTimeNaoko Maeda1)2), Yuki Uchida1), Tomomi Narushima3)
and Shuichi Katai3)Treatment

Japanese Acupuncture - Current Research 2
The Role of Acupuncture in the Great East Japan Earthquake

No. of treatment
recipients

Volume 6, Number 3 | Fall 2011

25

25100

3

548

47

97.9

4526

23

88.5

3

43636100

15

1212100

2

2148

143

96.6

13

Nako-city
Community Center
Mito-city
Seishounen Kaikan
Kita-Ibaragi-city
Civic Gymnasium,Maternity Care Ito
Takahagi-city
Takahagi Kyodo Hospital
Tokai-village
Community Center

Total

Table 1: Place of Questionnaire and Response Rates

3. Method
The questionnaire was anonymous. Before thevolunteer work began, the volunteer recipients
received the questionnaire sheet together with a
medical interview sheet at the reception. At theend of the treatment, the practitioners urged therecipients to cooperate with us by answering thequestionnaire. The questionnaire was completed
in a separate room and collected.

4. Questionnaire
The questionnaire had the respondents pick ananswer from a given number of options for sevenquestions of sex, age, damage situation, physicalcondition on the day, effectiveness of thetreatment, their desire whether to receive
treatment next time and publicity. As for two
items of good points and points to be improved
about volunteers, the respondents were free togive any answer.

5. Procedures of volunteer practiceTreatment/care was provided for 20 minutes perperson. After a brief medical interview, physicalfindings were obtained with palpation. Then,
Pyonex press-tack needles were applied into
reactive points after careful preliminary massage.

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)17

Volume 6, Number 3| Fall 2011

Other parts

Buttocks

Arms

HeadExtremities

BackLow back1. Response rates
The total number of respondents was 143 out of
148 with the overall response rate of 96.6%. The
response rates at the first time treatment/care were100%, 97.9% at the second time, 88.5% at thethird time and 100% at the fourth time and fifthtime (Table 1).
2. The143 respondents consisted of 25 males and118 females. Generation breakdown was 2
respondents in their 10s, 15 in their 20s, 68 in their30s, 30 in their 40s, 14 in their 50s, and 12 in their60s. The male-female ratio was 17.5% for maleand 82.5% for female (Table 2).

Shoulders

Results

Table3: Painful or Discomfort Regions

12Female

3Male

4510s

20s

30s

40s

50s

60s

Undescribed

Table 2: Generation Ratio of Treatment Recipients

3. Somatic complaints
The painful or discomfort regions on the day were(multiple answers) shoulders in 104 (72.7%), lowback in 62 (43.4%), broad of the back in 48 (33.6%),
extremities in 24 (16.8%), head in 16 (11.2%), andarms in 11 (7.7%). Three respondents gave noanswer on this question. Two respondents gave
the answer of having no special symptoms (Table3). In view of each care, there were no majordifferences in their complained conditions fromthe first care through to the fifth care (Table 4).

18

Table 4: Complained Conditions by Number of Care

4. Characteristics by generation
As the fourth time treatment was for healthcare
professionals, data of four times treatments only
from women were counted excluding those ofprofessionals. Symptoms of 84 women (2 without
name and 2 in their 10s were excluded from thetotal 88 volunteer recipients) were categorized
into shoulders in about 80% of women with 54.5%of those in 60s, and the dorsal region in about 40%
in 20s, 30s, and 40s and about 15% in 50s and 60s.
Many of those in their 20s, 40s, and 60s had
symptoms in the low back region. Symptoms ofthe head were complained by 13 women, of which
10 were in their 30s.

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 6, Number 3 | Fall 2011

5. Effect of treatment/care
Care effects in all recipients were “very muchrelieved” in 62 (43.4%), “relieved” in 67 (46.9%),and “remained same” in 3 (2.1%), of which 2
claimed that they had originally had no special
disorder. One (1) respondent answered “becameworse, taking it a response for a change for thebetter.” The respondent said that when writing
answers, lassitude had already appeared. Ten (10)respondents (7.0%) gave no answer and one (1)answered “do not know yet” (0.7%).
Effects are grouped for each time of volunteer
care: the 1st time, very much relieved in 17(68.0%), relieved in 7 (28.0%), and no changes in1 (4.0%). The 2nd time, very much relieved in 26(55.3%), relieved in 19 (40.4%), more painful in 1(2.1%), no answer in 1 (2.1%). The 3rd time, verymuch relieved in 11 (47.8%), relieved in 10(43.5%), and no answer in 2 (8.7%). The 4th time,very much relieved in 4 (11.1%), relieved in 24(66.7%), no change in 2 (5.6%), no answer in 5(13.9%), and “do not know yet” in 1 (2.8%). The
5th time, very much relieved in 4 (33.3%), relievedin 7 (58.3%), and no answer in 1 (8.3%) (Table 5).

questionnaire survey. Our goal was to perform
acupuncture and moxibustion to ensure they become
pleasedandrelaxed,thequestionnaire

wasconducted for the purpose of recording volunteer
acupunctureandmoxibustion.

Therefore,

thequestionnaire was not carried out in the way thatcanrigorously

showeffectiveness.

Whether

conducting a questionnaire in the aftermath of thedisaster is appropriate or not is being argued widely.
We conducted it 1-4 months after the earthquake,but there have been no complaints received. There
were three months between the first time practiceand the 5th time practice. However, there were nomajor differences in the painful regions in different
times of treatment.
With this e volunteer treatment, continuous care
could not be provided to specific persons, so options
concerning unexplained physical complaints andmental health complaints were not provided on thequestionnaire. Therefore they were not reflected in
the analysis of the questionnaire. When treatment
recipients began to talk about the disaster during
the course of treatment, individual practitioners
responded to them. Because of difficulties providing
continuous care, prior discussion had been madebetween the volunteer practitioners and it had been
determined that volunteer practitioners would not
discuss mental health matters. Whether volunteer
practitioners should get involved in unidentified

Relieved:
67
recipients(46.9%)

Relieved
much: 62
recipients(43.4%)

complaints or psychological matters was difficult todecide as this largely relates to whether or not thepractitioners get themselves ready for handling suchmatters. However, psychological health problems areimportant subjects after the disaster. To what extent
the practitioners should be involved, opinions may be

Table 5: Effect of Treatment/Caredivided and discussions will arrive at the conclusion

Consideration
We provided acupuncture and moxibustion as
volunteers for the people who suffered damages fromthe East Japan Earthquake and conducted athat mental health matters should be responded on acase-by-case basis.
For psychological problems after the disaster,
conditions were classified into three phases, (i.e. acute

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

19

Volume 6, Number 3| Fall 2011

phase, subacute phase, and mid to long term phase

A few months after the disaster, earthquakes haveand problems are handled in many cases according tooccurred in many parts of the world. Japan is well

the classification). This time, the author, et al.

known for earthquakes. However, every one of us who

performed acupuncture and moxibustion for those inare engaged in health care does not know how to

the subacute phase and obtained effects. We became

respond to the people in need of care when a disasterconvincedandoccurred. As there are no published guidelines ormoxibustion is sufficiently beneficial for keeping thebooklets, the author worked in the dark to make thedisaster victims in good physical condition.

plan for volunteering acupuncture and moxibustion

thatcarewithacupuncture

The disaster of the earthquake of this time which
was unprecedentedly large accompanied by themassive damage by Tsunami disaster had a specialprogression. The utmost priority during the acutephase is lifesaving. In the mid-long term phase,reconstruction starts but the victims have a feelingof helplessness and a feeling of weariness. The
characteristics of this phase are problems for eachindividual

tendedtobeforgotten

sothatpsychological problems are prone to arise
Sleeplessness

developsandphysical1).

condition

becomes bad. Anyhow, we think it important to study
how acupuncture and moxibustion can get involvedin each of the phases. We expect related parties ineach region will conduct such studies.
Acupuncture and moxibustion related magazines
carry articles on volunteer practice of acupuncture
and moxibustion after the disaster of the earthquake

and actually implement it. If I have done volunteer
work on a regular basis, it could be a little different.
And I felt it necessary to take an interest in how to
respond to an emergency situation. Although ageneral “Disaster Response Manual” has alreadybeen preparedvolunteer8)-11),

I consider that creating aprogram

implementation

manualofacupuncture and moxibustion is also necessary.
Several organizations sent volunteer practitionersof acupuncture and moxibustion to each of the affectedareas. These volunteers made reports of results. Theyalso report that acupuncture and moxibustion can playa part of medical treatment. The records of volunteer
acupunctureandmoxibustion

byindividualpractitioners will be valuable. In organizing the date,
we will see the role of acupuncture and moxibustion
and issues in disasters.

and tsunami. These articles report the status

Studying the role of acupuncture and moxibustion

immediately after the disaster and the condition ofat the time of disasters and getting prepared for its

four months later2)-7).

implementation for the future is also necessary.

20

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 6, Number 3 | Fall 2011

References (Only Japanese versions are available.)

1. Gaishou-sutoresu-kanren-Shougai nikanrensuru
Kenkyu-kai. KIN Yoshiharu. Shinteki Torauma
no Rikai to Kea 2nd version. Kabushikikaisha
Jihou. 2005; 85-86
2. Higashi Nihon Daishinsai no Hinansha wo
Sapooto suru Shinkyushi tachi. Ido no Nippon;
2011; 812:23-28
3. “Temomin” de Dekirukoto. Oriental Medicine
Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion;
2011.23:69-72
4. Fukushima-ken no Hinanjyo niokeru Shinkyu
Boranthia Houkoku. Oriental Medicine Journalof Acupuncture and Moxibustion; 2011.22:68-69
5. Shiogama-shi niokeru Boranthia Katsudou
Houkoku. Oriental Medicine Journal ofAcupuncture and Moxibustion; 2011.22:70-73

6. Hisaisha Shien Purojyekuto Chiimu, Toyo Iryo
Micchaku
Report.
Ido
noNippon;
2011.(816):116-121
7. Daishinsai to Shinkyu no Yakuwari. OrientalMedicine Journal of Acupuncture andMoxibustion; 2011.22:50-65
8. “Ibaragi-ken Hoken Fukushi-bu Saigaitaisaki Manual”
http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/bukyoku/hoken/koso/disaster_manual/digest/all_files.pdf
9. Jishin Taisaku Manyuaru Sakusei no Pointo
http://www.tokiorisk.co.jp/risk_info/up_file/200402057.pdf
10. Ninsanpu/Nyuyouji wo Mamoru Saigaitaisaku
Gaidorain, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
11. Kousei Roudousho kara Hasshutsushita Tsuuchi(March 18, 2011)
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/houdou/2r98520000015ks
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