From February 24th through March 3rd, Precision Chiropractic took a team of 9 chiropractors to Guatemala City to provide much-needed care for people there. This is a trip we’ve embarked on many times, and each time we go, it’s always an extremely fulfilling and humbling experience. It’s a way to serve and give back on a global level and to impact the lives of people who may not always have consistent access to healthcare. We always return home with a new perspective and a renewed appreciation for how meaningful chiropractic care can be for a single person, their families, and their entire community.
In the week or so since we’ve been home, our patients have been excited to hear stories and see photos from the trip. A lot of common questions have been asked, so here are the answers to a few of them along with some of our favorite pictures!
Do you use similar tools there as you do in the office?
It’s always a little different taking care of people outside of the office environment. Just as we take NeuroFunctional Scans in the office, we use a similar instrument when we’re out in the field. It doesn’t rely on electricity or a computer – it operates on a 9-volt battery and has a needle and gauge that gives us a reading. We are also able to assess elements of people’s posture such as the tilt of their head and shoulders so that we can give the most precise adjustment possible. The tables we use are identical to the ones we use in our office as well with one exception – they are lighter weight and have legs that fold in, making it very portable.
How many people did you adjust?
By our best estimates, we were able to provide care for approximately 5,000 people in Guatemala City and the surrounding communities. Some of our favorite highlights were:
- Adjusting an entire elementary school – students AND teachers!
- Taking care of a precinct of police officers in the central area of Guatemala City
- Providing care in the beautiful town of San Juan Sacatepequez – this area is known for its flower greenhouses and when we arrived, the entire central square was full of people selling freshly cut flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
What does a typical day look like when you’re there?
Our days usually begin fairly early with breakfast around 6:30 or 7. A typical Guatemalan breakfast consists of eggs, refried black beans, fried plantains, fresh fruit, yogurt and a cup (or three!) of delicious coffee. Our host, Cristobal, will pick us up and we’ll all pack into the van and head to our site for the day. Sometimes, like at a school, once we’ve checked everyone we’re good to go. Other times, such as when we’re in the central area of a town or city, we’ll have what seems like an endless line of people waiting to get checked! We’ll usually take a quick lunch break to refuel and get off of our feet for a bit until it’s time to get back to it for the afternoon. We wrap up around 4 or 5 in the evening, head back for some dinner, a shower, and some much-needed sleep before doing it again the next day! The last day we usually reserve for some sightseeing – this year we were able to take in some incredible Mayan ruins and explore Antigua.
How can I get involved and help out for next year?
This is something many of you have asked, and there will definitely be ways to help in the coming months. We are hosted by an incredible family who does a ton of outreach work through several organizations. VisionTrust Guatemala is an organization that does wonderful, tangible things to improve the level of education for children throughout Guatemala. Children in these communities have the opportunity to go to a school where they are taught by university-educated teachers, get a pair of shoes and a hot meal to eat each day. We had a chance to meet one of their teachers who started out as a student in one of the schools. She shared with us that the opportunity that the kids receive has changed entire communities by giving them goals and aspirations to strive for as they grow up. They currently have 3 school locations and are working on more. We will keep you updated on ways to give and get involved!
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