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For many years to come, people will speak of the events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. This horrible tragedy injured hundreds, took the lies of thousands, and deeply impacted the whole of a nation. As our country struggles to maintain a sense of freedom and safety, we are confronted with a question: how do we heal?

This process will be long and difficult for many. In such a time of uncertainty and stress, the benefits of holistic medicine can shine. Now, more than ever, the work of complementary medicine is important and the awareness of its benefits crucial.

Joining Together

Among the many groups and organizations that rose to the occasion to help the victims of the World Trade Center disaster was our own acupuncture and massage community. On September 11, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine's Board of Directors extended free acupuncture treatments at its New York clinic to students, family members and relief workers. Tow days later, Pacific faculty members Shelia McLaughlin, L.Ac. and Phyllis Shapiro, L.Ac. met with the medical coordinator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (F.E.M.A.). With the permission of F.E.M.A. and the support of Pacific College students, faculty and alumni, McLaughlin and Shapiro organized free acupuncture and massage therapy treatments to search and rescue workers housed at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan.

Within 24 hours, enough volunteers and equipment were established to staff twelve treatment tables and chairs around-the-clock. The first round of Pacific College volunteers and massage tables were then escorted by camouflaged military personnel in Hummers to the Javits Center.

Soon, others such as Tri State College, New York College and the Acupuncture Society of New York came on Board to help with the solicitation of donations and coordination of volunteers. Donations came in from across the country from almost two dozen companies offering supplies ranging from massage tables and oil, to acupuncture needles, alcohol and cotton balls.

On the second floor of the Javits Center, past a handful of security guards and check points, task force search and rescue workers came to be treated after being on the "pile" for their 12-hour shift. The first two days saw most people seeking treatment. Volunteers worked on National Guard, New York City and State police, fire fighters, F.E.M.A. personnel, and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) workers and dogs from all over the country. During the first week, the task forces were more energetic and positive, but as they began to find fewer survivors, they became more depleted and depressed.

Prior to the Javits Center, the majority of task force workers had not had exposure to complementary medicine. While most initially came in for massage and chiropractic, almost all agree to try auricular or body acupuncture. Volunteers administered 20-minute treatments to address aches, paints, stress, fatigue and insomnia. Many of the task force workers had not slept for days. Volunteers massage feet sore from tightly laced army boots and aching calves and backs from walking and climbing on the pile. The massage and acupuncture treatments often left the task force members relaxed and sleeping on the tables, providing them such needed relief.

Pacific's volunteers also had the opportunity to meet and shake hands with President George Bush, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Mayor Rudolph Guiliani. Despite the sharp shooters on the roof of the Javits Center and the area being in total lock-down, the morale of the troops, as well as Pacific volunteers, was greatly inspired by their visit.

The Power of Touch

Because touch is such a powerful tool, massage can offer comfort, reassurance, strength and hope. In disaster situations, the benefits of massage are numerous. At its most basic level, massage calms and helps relieve stress. It allows a person to breathe, relax and release; a luxury generally not available to those involved in rescue efforts. This relaxation facilitates sleep, prevents muscle stiffness and injury, and generates energy to maintain both physical and emotional functioning.

In the case of the World Trade Center disaster, massage acted as an on-site stress management tool by strengthening rescue workers' capacity to maintain composure at the disaster site, and later facilitating the emotional release needed for recovery. Techniques that supported mental alertness and addressed specific muscle fatigue were physically rejuvenating, enabling them to continue working and cope with stress.

On an emotional level, massage helped to deal with feelings of helplessness, numbness and grief, and their physical manifestations such as nausea, headache, sensory distortion, cognitive confusion, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. It was Pacific's hope that by offering massage at the Javits Center, the development of serious stress disorders or other injuries might be prevented.

Not only did massage benefit the rescue teams, but the practitioners also enjoyed a sense of accomplishment and contribution. Therapists were able to actively participate in the relief effort by helping others to heal while also healing themselves. By making massage services available in disaster situations, the profession and its practitioners were seen in a different light by the public. Once thought of as a luxury by many, massage can now be viewed even more as a therapeutic aid.

Healing With Needles

Acupuncture is also beneficial as an adjunct to Western emergency medicine. Because it calms the central nervous system, acupuncture can center a person, allowing him or her to rest and re-charge. Acupuncture's effectiveness in treating exhaustion, muscle pain and fatigue, insomnia and gastrointestinal distress were witnessed first hand by volunteers at the Javits Center. Once calmed, re-energized and pain-free, task force workers were better able to cope with the stress of what they were seeing and experiencing, as well the physical demands placed on their bodies. Their coordination, judgment and reaction time were improved, making them more efficient and able to avoid injury. By supporting the immune system, acupuncture helped to prevent the side effects of overwork, assisted in recovery time, and released emotions held in the body such as anxiety, fear, anger, grief, loss, and vulnerability. Easing the task force members' pain and emotional stress through acupuncture allowed them to continue working.

Acupuncture was a way for the practitioners to help replenish rescue workers emotionally. The contact and communication shared between practitioner and patient helped to reduce emotional trauma, isolation, and feelings or powerlessness. By helping people feel safe, it brought individuals together in a time of disaster and allowed them to heal.

Volunteer Efforts a Success

Countless calls from across the country came in from individuals and institutions offering support and supplies. So many, in fact, that a waiting list of volunteers had to be created. After eighteen days of around the clock care, some 290 volunteers comprised of licensed acupuncturists, massage therapists and Pacific Clinic interns had administered an estimated 3,000 massage and acupuncture treatments to task force workers. Despite the stress, emotions and long hours, every volunteer was grateful for the chance to help relieve the tension and pain of the rescue workers.

While, for most, it was their first time being treated with acupuncture and massage, a survey of search and rescue workers indicated that both modalities helped a great deal with pain and stress reduction. Most participants felt that the treatments reduced their likelihood of becoming injured during the WTC operation, and almost all felt it was important to have this type of treatment available in future emergency situations.

The Professional Acupuncturists Response Team (PART) is the official name given to the organization that formed from efforts at the Jacob Javits Center. As a result of the success of the New York acupuncture community's work at the Javits Center, F.E.M.A. is currently working to include PART in future emergency relief efforts.

PART will provide professional acupuncture and Asian bodywork treatments to emergency and disaster relief workers, victims and their families, as well as establish clinical and organizational guidelines for local PART coordinators and practitioners. The organization ill consist of schools, national and state organizations and state licensed volunteers that will work to make these services available within 48 hours of an emergency. PART is currently working on building a website that will allow local coordinators to immediately access all volunteers in their area.

In addition to providing acupuncture and massage at F.E.M.A. sites of operation, PART will also facilitate public awareness of the benefits of acupuncture and bodywork by providing information to other disaster relief organizations. By doing this, PART hopes to integrate acupuncture and massage as part of the standard medical care offered to search and rescue workers.

Where We Go From Here

It felt intrusive asking people to share their World Trade Center experiences, for by sharing them, they were stirring up memories they were trying to forget. When a New York City Fire Chief was asked about what he had seen and how he was dealing with it, he said, "It's terrible. You've never seen anything like it.never would want to, either. I don't deal with it. After my shift, I come here (a bar) and just try to forget. That's all I can do."

The tragedies of September 11th, and the people affected by them, have shown that there IS a place for complementary medicine in emergency medical situations. Acupuncturists and massage therapists offer a unique and important component of disaster response. The benefits are real, and the accessibility, affordability and low incidence of side effects make them a valuable, if not indispensable, tool for treating victims and rescuers alike.

The sentiment of many of those volunteering at the Javits Center was well captured by Robert MacDonald, a Pacific College student and volunteer. "These men, women, and rescue dogs dropped everything, left family, jobs and their own safety behind to come to New York City and help in a time of great need. I know that for all of us who were privileged enough to work with them, their courage, selflessness, and willingness to help despite the dangers to themselves, will forever be an example of the human potential for true compassion".

Pacific College extends its thanks to the many companies who graciously donated supplies to PART's efforts at the Jacob Javits Center. Items donated included: massage tables, acupuncture needles, hand held massagers, alcohol, table paper, cotton and massage oil. Heartfelt appreciation goes out to:

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