The Role of Oriental Medicine in the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster
10.3937/kampomed.62.621
- VernacularTitle:東日本大震災における東洋医学による医療活動
- Author:
Shin TAKAYAMA
;
Reina OKITSU
;
Koh IWASAKI
;
Masashi WATANABE
;
Tetsuharu KAMIYA
;
Atsushi HIRANO
;
Ayane MATSUDA
;
Yasutake MONMA
;
Takehiro NUMATA
;
Hiroko KUSUYAMA
;
Sou HIRATA
;
Akiko KIKUCHI
;
Takashi SEKI
;
Takash TAKEDA
;
Nobuo YAEGASHI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Great East Japan earthquake;
disaster;
oriental medicine;
Kampo;
acupuncture
- From:Kampo Medicine
2011;62(5):621-626
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
The Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster that occurred on March 11, 2011 seriously destroyed Japanese social activities the medical system included. We provided medical support to the damaged area, and mainly performed Oriental medicine. Traditional methods using physical diagnoses and the treatments with herbs, acupuncture, and massage were effective, where any infrastructure had suffered or any modern medical facilities had been destroyed. Acute phase infectious disease, common colds, and hypothermia were dominant. Allergies increased two weeks later, and there was much mental distress, and chronic pain symptoms one month later. We prescribed Kampo herbal medicines for common colds, hypothermia, allergies, and mental distress. Moreover, we also performed acupuncture and kneaded patients' body to reduce pain, stiffness, and edema. These treatments were effective for both physical and mental distress. Thus we believe that Oriental medicine is valuable in disaster situations.
