Mindful Medicine in Nepal

At the end of the second week of clinic, we have delivered a total of 164 treatments to 44 unique patients.    The age range is typically 40-60 years old (with four patients younger than 40 and three older than 60).    Most patients have returned for treatments at least three times, and only six patients haven’t returned at all.      Treating the same patients daily for a week affords many learning opportunities... Shoulder pain is by far the most common chief complaint (17 out of 44 patients). For my CM pals, I’m seeing great results with Qi Hu (Master Tung, 77.26), Wrist Flow One & Two (MT 22.08 & 22.09) – or just SI-3 – and a couple constitutional points (GB-34 & SP-9 for example, as Damp Heat presents a lot).  Seriously every patient with shoulder pain (whether unilateral, radiating to the arm, cold, hot, burning or tingling) has benefited from this treatment.   Sometimes the pain decreases incrementally over the course of the week and other times it’s comple

The first week of clinic was great.  The clinic is located in the 7th Ward office complex -- essentially the Chancellor's (alderman's) office serving the Chabahil district of Kathmandu.  There is a biomedical clinic on the first floor with nurses and midwives who are happy to refer patients for acupuncture.   On our first day opening up the brand new clinic, the employees in the office gathered in the clinic at noon with much interest and enthusiasm.  A man quickly took off his shirt and hopped onto the treatment table as the Chancellor ceremoniously handed me the first needle. Everyone gathered around to see what would happen.  No pressure LOL.  The patient reported shoulder and arm pain and off we went.  As soon as his needles were in we moved onto the next patient, and the pace kept up like this until we had treated seven employees.   The following day nearly all of the patients returned for another treatment, reporting relief and improvement after th

I think Steve Winwood might owe royalties to the Nepali people for his hit of yesteryear "Roll With It, Baby" (#RWIB).  This posture/mentality seems to be an effortless strength of the locals that I've interacted with here thus far, and I'm excited to participate and pick up a thing or two from these folk about riding the waves collectively.   Day 1.5 and I am aligned with the rising and setting of the sun on this side of the planet.  RWIB   After some morning Qi Gong and a SIM card adventure (who knew you need a passport photo and the names of your father and grandfather to get one?) I met Hasta (MMW's Nepali organizer) for the first time at the Boudha Stupa.  There were some challenges to understanding each other when trying to find each other (and my phone was not yet fully functional), so I ended up circling the Stupa several times looking for him.  As I approached his intended meeting place three people offered me a taxi ride, and when he pull

Hey, thanks for tracking my journey here.   With 36 hours before leavin' on a jet plane, I'm feeling prepared and excited.  Volunteering for Mindful Medicine Worldwide requires a pre-trip "Mindfulness Retreat", which I completed yesterday.  I stayed in the very hermitage at the Portiuncula Retreat Center that I retreated to six years ago after quitting the music business not knowing what was to come next.  My routine involved Qi Gong, meditation, journaling, reading, mindful deep breathing walks through the woods, walking a labyrinth with a mantra, Spiritual Direction with Father Terry and kneeling to pray in a tiny 200 year-old chapel.   On day two of my retreat I awoke to find that my flight to Nepal (48 hours away) had been canceled.  I'm convinced that the aforementioned routine had prepared me to roll with it, not worry, and deal with it when I completed the retreat.  Sure enough, I was able to rebook a flight with a shorter layover time, earlier arriva