Next Up

Well, I've completed one additional year of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) research training through the NIH fellowship. I learned CAM theory and methods of research, along with studies in medical anthropology, ethno-medicine, and bio-statistics. I was also involved with another service learning project that worked with several inter-city resource organizations. My participation with Project Reach continues, as well, as we close out our first year of collaboration with local chiropractors and begin the second with acupuncturists.

This summer has been about healing for me. I worked really hard this past year and felt like my health needed attention. So, I've been slowly decompressing by getting back to a decent sleep schedule, eating right, and getting enough exercise. Time with family and friends has been of top priority too and I've enjoyed catching up with them. I've even had time for fun, and much needed mindless, activities like NetFlix, badly written memoirs of interesting people, and a trip to the coast.

My next focus will be on my practice. I haven't spent time marketing, networking, or promoting it in any way. Thank goodness for a strong client base that has sustained me through this rough economy. I've learned so much from my clients and my practice has always been my real passion. It is through our connection that I continue to grow and why I've pursued higher education in the first place. It is time, however, to practice build once again. There are so many resources out there to help me and I've got a couple methods I'll dust off and reuse. If you have any ideas you're willing to share, let me know, I'd love to hear them; stay tuned.

Exciting Ecuador

Just back from 18 days in Ecuador. A much needed break from school and the Tucson heat where we are losing patience waiting for our monsoons. Lots of rain in Ecuador. Wonderful people and climate. It must be the fruit capital of the world too; avocado and banana trees everywhere; not too mention the sugar cane, papaya, kiwi, and mango's. Obesity is not an issue in Ecuador; neither is smoking. I also noticed a public health campaign targeting litter awareness. Garbage cans with clown faces, garbage trucks with what sounded like Christmas carols resonating from within, and little "no littering" logos on all the food packaging.

I learned as much about their traditional healing as I could while in Ecuador. The first week I was given Guayusa leaves, to drink as tea, for some menstrual irregularity I was experiencing; fixed me right up. Looking it up online I find it is used by the Amazonian Jivaro Indians for a number of issues; including to promote dreams during healing rituals. It supposedly contains caffeine and acts as a stimulant. It had the opposite effect on me and settled me down.

The following week my partner and I got really sick after eating in a local cafe and recovered from a blend of boiled onion mixed with fresh orange juice and honey. It soothed my stomach and opened up my sinuses. The Amazon rain forest has so many medicinal plants, orchids, and other flowers, fruits, and vegetables. What a wonderful place to explore the culture and learn from the Ecuadorian indigenous tribes.

Massage therapy is readily available in many towns and cities in Ecuador. They have skilled therapists, many of whom are certified from other countries. I do not know about Ecuador's MT regulation or requirements. Massage therapy does seem to be appreciated and acknowledged in Ecuador as part of a health maintenance routine. I've noticed that same awareness when in Mexico too; much more than in the US. Just my observations...

Indigenous Healing Practices

Last week was incredible; thrilled to spend so much time in the northern AZ tribal communities. Traditional healing approaches with the Navajo and Hopi are similar to CIM practices; holistic and client centered. I found them to be respectful, gentle, and unassuming people who honor their heritage, are spiritually dialed in, and speak simply and with meaning. I met two massage therapists (Navajo and Hopi), worked on one elderly Navajo women who had recently suffered a fall injury, and found people receptive to massage therapy in general.

At the swap meet in Gallup, New Mexico (which is held every Saturday) I spoke with Pueblo Indians, Ute', and Paiute'; all from Utah. There I found pow wow music, various medicinal plants and herbs, fresh green chilies, and juicy red cherries.

I also got to see some incredible country including the Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Ship Rock, the Hopi Terrace Gardens, Window Rock, and Canyon de Chelly. I learned to sheer sheep too!

Check out the Peach, the Hualapai kids radio station sponsored by Kidstar; they rock! Also, here's a video I made of our trip; complete with peyote songs from a couple navajo locals in the area. Their personal statement on the back of the CD I purchased says "through these songs, we learn to live strong, support one another and have faith thru the Native American Church ways."

CIM Therapies and LBP

Check out this study that considers the unanticipated benefits of CIM therapies on lower back pain. It seems, our work gives people hope and hope heals....you knew that already but it's nice the science guys think so too.

Speaking of healing...I'm spending next week in northern Arizona tribal country on a service learning field project. I hope to observe traditional healing and learn about their use of herbs and other medicinal plants. Details later.

Glad my friends are having fun at the CIM conference in Seattle; go Jan, Jolie, and Rosemary!

Two Year Pass

I was awarded the pre-doc fellowship from the Department of Family and Community Medicine!

Time Flys.............

My internship is over although I will continue working with the CIM Reach team as a paid research associate for the summer; woo hew! We've started recruiting our first wave of practitioners for the study; chiropractors. If you are a DC in the Tucson Metropolitan area and want to be a part of a University of Arizona Study; let me know. You will get free evidence based training, to include approved industry CEU's, and will contribute to making a significant impact on the health of the public by decreasing tobacco use.

Oh yea, I'm graduating from the masters in public health program too! The convocation is May 14th; who'd have thunk!

Massage Therapy Radio

Check out Massage Therapy Radio, if you haven't already. They bill themselves as "the voice of the massage profession." A couple weeks ago, I listened to Diana Thompson and Ruth Werner as they talked about the upcoming CIM Conference in Seattle; Highlighting Massage Therapy (MT) in Research. Great discussion from the past and current presidents of the Massage Therapy Foundation.

Last week they had Tracy Walton on who specializes in MT for cancer clients. Tracy writes, teaches, and has completed research in her speciality area. Tonight they have Whitney Lowe discussing creative clinical applications of MT research. After their evening broadcast the MT Radio keeps the recordings available for you to listen to at your leisure. There's quite a list already, on other pretty interesting topics, including business, techniques, treatments, and technology.