By Peter Caron, Lac.
As always, the statements and opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of ASNY or ASNY's membership. Any and all errors are mine.
During the Covid pandemic, on May first, I sat down with Daniel Ortiz to discuss his experience working in a hospital during this crisis. I wanted to hear about what he’s been seeing, and to see what knowledge he could share through his unique experience. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Daniel Ortiz is a Licensed Acupuncturist and a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of New York. In 2013, Daniel Ortiz graduated from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine with a Master’s Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine (Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine) and Massage Therapy.
Currently, Daniel Ortiz works for the Institute for Advanced Medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morning-side Hospitals in New York City. He also has a private practice, AcuBodyWork, on Fridays and weekends in Union Square. With the integration of acupuncture and massage therapy, Daniel focuses on pain management, rehabilitation of orthopedic conditions, stress management through auricular point acupressure (APA), digestive disorders, respiratory conditions, and insomnia, among other conditions.
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Daniel Ortiz:
Before we begin, I just want to make it clear that this is my anecdotal experience. This isn’t a recommendation for how to treat anyone. As practitioners it’s important we communicate and share, but this is not an authoritative statement, nor any sort of controlled study. Please consult with your medical provider with any questions you have.
Peter Caron
: Agreed. We’re still in the fog of war around this virus, so this is intended only as anecdotal evidence from someone in our field on the front lines. I respect Daniel and what he’s doing. I’m sure we all also know that one person’s experience shouldn’t be used to make decisions in a time like this. Consult your provider.
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PC:
How did you get into the hospital? How are things going?
DO:
I was introduced to the hospital by Peter Panken. As an acupuncturist, I focus on neuroanatomical treatments for pain management and other chronic conditions such as peripheral neuropathy. I am working at the Institute for Advanced Medicine (IAM) program. This program’s main focus is on treating and supporting HIV patients and transgender individuals, but I see other patients who are referred by hospital doctors from other departments as well. Before the lockdown my department was working with non-covid patients, but then it had to pause it’s normal work. In the beginning of the pandemic there was a lot of stress and confusion suffered by all health providers. It occurred to me that in order to continue to work, I could help treat the stress and anxiety affecting the staff with APA (auricular point acupressure) and neck and shoulder bodywork. In addition, for three consecutive weekends during the lockdown, I was reassigned as a Runner to deliver personal protective equipment to all the floors that were covered to intensive care units for Covid-19
PC
: How has it felt to be able to help in a hospital during this pandemic? Anything you can share about what you’re seeing with the doctors and nurses?
DO
: From what I’ve seen, most nurses and doctors have poor posture and tight neck muscles, and I could address that directly through bodywork. I was missing doing bodywork since I normally only offer acupuncture at the hospital. Because I have a clinical interest in auricular acupuncture, I wanted to provide the hospital staff with ear beads. In my experience, the combo of bodywork and APA has had tremendous effects. The bodywork helps with the acute stress and the long term/future stress can be regulated through the beads. Every week the demand has been growing. In the beginning, the only staff that were trying the therapy were the ones who already had experience with acupuncture or massage, however as the word has spread it’s become quite popular. Everyday of the week I work with releasing knots and trigger points, and increasing the range of motion of their necks and shoulders. They’ve been extremely appreciative.
This stress has been coming not only from their work, but also from family and commuting during Covid. The majority of the staff have felt a difference. They’ve been telling me that they feel much more relaxed, less pain, and in control. Staff usually receive treatment (APA and bodywork) once a week.
It’s taken me by surprise. We have admin, receptionists, nurses, and doctors coming in. A great majority of staff have loved the ear beads, and the bodywork has been universally loved. They can feel that something has changed. Decreased irritability has been a big factor, improved sleep, decreased food, sugar, and tobacco cravings, and decreased physical discomfort. Through this, they’re hopefully more able to help their patients. They may not understand exactly what the effect is, or why, but it turns out that doesn’t matter that much. While we can appreciate it within the language we’ve learned, they notice the results and often don’t have words for it. It’s pretty significant! I enjoy introducing them to a different health perspective and dynamic; this really amazes them.
The beads often have an immediate effect; more calm and relaxed, or a sudden sweat. For others it has helped with reducing cravings, improving sleep, and decreasing irritability, all important right now. I’ve grown to dislike the word magic, as I think it devalues what we do, but I hear back from them that what’s happening is exactly that.
Before the lockdown I didn’t have much of an opportunity to interact with the staff. Through these difficult times, I’ve gotten much greater exposure to them, and that’s been great. I’m not the only one doing this, another massage therapist is using essential oils, that’s been received well by the staff, too.
Currently I’m going to 4-5 clinics around the city per week and seeing 10-15 staff members per day for APA and bodywork.
PC
: What would you recommend to those on lockdown right now?
DO
:I think the situation is de-escalating. A lot of the response from the essential employees on the front line means that their stress is starting to get better. That’s a big point to know about what’s going on now. In terms of the level of preparation we can do now, I’d recommend focusing on having the opportunity to take care of their body and health better. Lessen you stress, make sure you’re eating well and drinking water. Sunshine and fresh air are very important; living in NYC and being in your apartment can be detrimental to your health. Yes, wear the proper PPE and wash your hands regularly, but also make sure you’re oxygenating yourself and exercising. All of these help to improve your immune system. If you do get sick, I would definitely consider going to get tested. This virus is very real and can have a tremendous impact on the body. If things get worse than a common cold presentation, you should seek medical attention. That also includes consulting with us, acupuncturists and herbalists.
PC
: What are your thoughts about the virus?
DO
: I’ve seen quite a bit of Covid, but I haven’t had much opportunity to see what patients are experiencing afterwards. It appears to leave the body with some damage and some imbalances. I’m mostly observing decreased appetite, fatigue, and some weight loss. It appears to affect the Yang Ming, which in some cases leaves patients with some counterflow afterwards. For instance, in severe cases, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. I’ve considered Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang could help a lot to restore digestive function.
However, from our approach, remember that diarrhea is a way for the body to get rid of the pathogen. Make sure you keep yourself hydrated through the whole process. Clinically, the virus can potentially affect the brain, the kidneys, and nervous system. It can also cause blood clots. It’s still somewhat early to tell more.
PC
: Thoughts on Personal Protective Equipment?
DO:
Definitely wear masks. If you’re not going to be exposed, if you’re going running, make sure you’re getting real fresh air! The N95 with an air filter is great. You want to be keep in mind that the reduced oxygenation, lead stress and a weakened immune system. Wear masks, but only when you need them! Excessive use can be a problem. If you’re with family or loved ones whom you live with and are not sick, you probably don’t need it. If you’re in a supermarket, a train, or around a lot of people, they’re definitely good. Every day I’m wearing one at the hospital, and I’m seeing some negative effects from that. It’s much more relaxing to have some breathing room, and that’s important to staying healthy! Just make sure you’re balancing the upsides and downsides.
PC
: What do you see the role of acupuncturists being?
DO
: We can help strengthen immune systems and get the body prepared to prevent, or fight off the disease. The virus can be very contagious; some ICUs have multiple layers of protection you have to go to reach a patient in a room. Some patients are immunocompromised, or have secondary illnesses. If we had the opportunity to assist the general public as essential caregivers, I think the impact would have been great. At the same time, we have to use the proper protection. If you don’t have the proper level of protection and may expose patients, that’s wrong right now. If you can put one patient in a room, help them through the process, and keep everything sterile and safe, that can be great.
[Both ASNY and Daniel Ortiz would like to point out that this is based on what’s known and seen now. Practice caution and follow the recommendations being put forward by local experts]
PC
: Anything else you want to say?
DO
: I think it’s important we maintain communication about what we see and what we experience. If we all share our information about how to prevent and treat, maybe we can be better prepared if there’s a second wave. This is a good example, what you’re doing to share. It’s important we don’t isolate as a professional community; we can learn a lot from this pathogen, both in terms of WM, and TCM. We can learn from and share with other practitioners around the world, not just China. We can learn from all TCM-like approaches. Even anecdotal evidence about what we do treat ourselves. If you’re weak, or old, it’s important to know what the best approach would be if you’re infected, not only from a clinical perspective, but also from a perspective of well-being. Maybe some people are overworked, or overstressed, or not eating well. We as practitioners can always be learning. Improved communication can improve the effectiveness of our field.
I’d also recommend reaching out to the conventional medicine community. They need us as much as we need them when we have an emergency. In these times, we all need each other. If you’re skillful in your craft, you can help. We can be much better prepared to manage and treat other people.
PC
: Thank you so much Daniel, both for being so generous with your time, and for the work you’re doing. I think this will be helpful.
