Acupuncture in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina

Two issues ago, Acupuncture Today reported on the efforts of individual acupuncturists to aid the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The outpouring of support demonstrated by the acupuncture profession in the past few months has been nothing short of remarkable, as dozens of practitioners have volunteered their time throughout the Gulf Coast region to help people affected by Katrina. In the meantime, suppliers, schools, and state and national associations have all made significant contributions, working together to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of food, clothing, acupuncture needles, herbal remedies, and other items to provide much-needed relief.

Although it is now more than 110 days since Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the effects of the hurricane will continue to be felt by the residents of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi for many months, perhaps years, to come. Fortunately, the acupuncture community hasn't forgotten the victims of Katrina; even now, practitioners continue to stream into New Orleans and other cities along the Gulf Coast, providing aid and comfort when possible, and doing their best to make the lives of the hurricane victims better.

In that vein, we are proud to publish two new stories - "Treating People With Acupuncture in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina" by Susan Zimmer, DC, RN, FASA, and "Acupuncturists Without Borders: Report From the Streets of New Orleans" by Graham Marks, MAc. We also encourage our readers to keep reading Acupuncture Today and visiting AcupunctureToday.com for more stories as they become available.