A day or so ago Jag and his group visited the largest Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Kunming. Then I think yesterday they were at at school. We get bits and pieces via their blog and texts but all are having an excellent time. Here’s more from Jag in his own words.
After already spending a day in China, we had the opportunity to visit the Champion Learning School. While we were there we were able to have conversations in both Mandarin and English with the kids. During our time there we did introductions in each-other’s languages, hoping to reach a more extensive cultural understanding. Yet, a reoccurring trend with all of the kids was asking us if we had a WeChat. For those of you that do not know, a WeChat is a type of Messaging Board System that most people in China use to communicate, when something such as iMessage does not exist. This enables them and us to continue to express one of V.M.S.’s own principals, community. This philosophy is very significant to V.M.S.’s Intraterm and Where There Be Dragons because it continues to illuminate our purpose by showing how it can be done through technology. As it has continued to become more apparent in our lives, it gives us the choice to work towards bettering relationships between people on the other-side of the planet. Even as our trip continues to progress, and we get closer to our departure we will still be able to talk to our new friends; as they have already started messaging us, we can only hope that this will continue in hopes of progressing our understanding of the Chinese people and their language.
So not only is this trip life changing but also educational. As far as I know, no one in our family except for Mom and Dad and Lori, have set foot in China, and none to the extent of immersion that Jag has. We’re proud of him and are sure he’ll come back years older. Luisa who works for me said yesterday that Jag has an old soul meaning he’s much wiser than his years. That pretty much sums it up.
Ty too is wired the same way yet different. He’s emerging as a leader among his classmates with a small crowd of kids all ages following him out of school each day and telling him goodbye. It’s sort of funny like a scene from a movie. We’re lucky we have good boys as there are a lot of questionable characters out there making questionable or down right bad decisions.
Lori and I worked and had uneventful days which I guess is good. Her head has been bothering her and we’re hoping a recipe of 80 degrees and a beach will cure her.
We have a busy day, again, so time to run. Hope all’s well, GB. Here’s more from China below,
Traditional Chinese Medicine is widely practiced throughout China. We had the chance to visit the largest TCM hospital in Kunming. At this hospital they utilize acupuncture, massage, herbs, and moxibustion. We were fortunate enough to see treatments first hand. After experiencing this form of traditional medicine, we saw how Western medicine is being coupled with TCM to strengthen the medical practices as a whole. X-ray may be paired with massage to further diagnose.
One of the patients we saw during our time at the hospital was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Acupuncture was used to stimulate the nerves in her face. Over ten needles were placed around her face, on her arms, and even on her ears. This shows how TCM can help to target a problem through a wholistic approach. They treat the whole body, not only the affected area. We were told that repeated treatment would continually improve the nerves and restore movement to her face.
This wholistic approach to treating any medical need is economically beneficial and has also been shown to provide better results in the long term. The World Health Organization has deemed TCM the medicine of the future.
This was a new experience for all of us and has helped us to better understand the Chinese culture. We are so glad this was part of our trip and hope to continue learning about Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Types of TCM:
Acupuncture – It wakes up and stimulates blood flow and helps to stimulate nerves.
Cupping – Helps to release toxins by reducing pressure and allowing inflammation to subside.
Massage – It combines a western chiropractic practice with physical therapy and massage therapy.
Herbs – Different combinations of herbs to naturally treat and relieve symptoms.