Welcome to Part 3 of the Jamaica series! With this post I continue the review of my observations/lessons learned from the trip.
- I definitely experienced many highs and lows over the course of the week. After some treatments I was in the depths of despair, feeling 100% inadequate and overwhelmed. And then the next patient would respond really well to the treatment and to me, and I was back on cloud 9. It was a complete yo-yo of emotions, both exhausting and exhilarating. On the bus back to the hotel each night, I would reflect on the day, on how hard it was, on how I didn’t feel as if I knew what I was doing, on how uncomfortable I was, being in a position of uncertainty and doubt. Net, even with all the discomfort, I was so much happier after a day working on and with my fellow humans than working in an office on a computer all day.
- I need to study more! We learn so much so fast in this program. I need to find a way to remember what we have been taught because in the thick of things, my brain really struggled to retrieve all those trigger points, muscle attachments, and protocols. I could feel the solution to the puzzle just outside of my consciousness, but I could not quite grasp it.
- If/when I do this again, I need to learn Patwa! While most of the patients spoke English, with the accent and with being slightly hard of hearing, I had SUCH a difficult time understanding exactly what was being said. Thank goodness for gestures!!
- I need alone time!! Seven days surrounded by 30+ people was a bit overwhelming. I meditated almost every morning for 30 minutes, sitting within ear shot of the ocean. I think that contributed so much to my sanity.
- My preconceived notions about who we would be treating were completely misinformed. My first patient had been a stockbroker in NYC for several years! Many of patients had lived in England for years and retired back home to Treasure Beach. One of my patients had actually been to Iowa State University to learn about agriculture! These brilliant, sophisticated, kind people had moved back to their roots and were busy improving their community. Very inspirational.
- Hugs and blessings are a very fulfilling form of payment, especially when your food and housing needs are met.
- I want to learn more OMM (osteopathic manipulative treatment) from the doctor of osteopathy students. From the glimpse I received, it really piqued my interest. It seems as if they use longer holds (moving patients into areas of the “barrier”) to effect changes in the tissues. I want to learn more about this, as I have a few patients who are very pain-sensitive, and I think this might be a gentler approach for them.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the 4th and last installment. 🙂
