Guatemala 2017
Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family
I just spent 10 amazing days in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, with 7 excellent Gonstead Chiropractors, making up the Tanaka Chiropractic Mission team for 2017. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to serve hundreds of patients with severe and chronic pain from accidents, falls and daily physical work. Patients we treated worked in very labor-intensive jobs such as construction, in fields growing crops, as mechanics, or in small grocery stores, restaurants, laundry services, etc., working extremely hard to make a living for themselves and their families. Mayan women, dressed in beautifully handmade and colorful dresses came from their villages to see us. Daily, these ladies carry baskets full of food and other items on their heads and large stacks of wood on their backs for their stoves to cook with and to keep warm. Our thankful patients came from many, many miles away, lining the street, to receive an adjustment.
One of my patients, a 38-year-old woman, had been suffering from debilitating low back pain from 3 herniated discs for the last 3 years. With tears and desperation in her eyes, she shared her pain with me. Her severe pain was keeping her from doing many basic life skills, preventing her from sleeping at night and robbing her of joy in her life. After receiving 1 adjustment, she had much less pain and slept through the night for the first time in years without waking up from the excruciating pain in her back and down her legs. Each adjustment left her in less and less pain and with more and more hope. By the 5th day, she was significantly better and came to me crying tears of joy instead of tears of pain. Another patient suffered from paralysis on one side of her face. I got to witness an immediate improvement in facial symmetry and function, before my eyes. Other patients suffered from numbness in their extremities, torticollis, knee, ankle and shoulder pain, neck pain, etc. Some walked in with canes and walked out with big smiles, dancing!
Not only is Chiropractic unavailable to the Guatemalan people, many are not able to afford any type of healthcare at all. From infants to the elderly, we were able to have a massive impact for the community, delivering specific, scientific chiropractic care to those who would not otherwise have received it. It was with humble pleasure to serve and help the people of Guatemala.
Nothing in the world fills my heart more than knowing I can serve people using the gifts God has given to me. It was with great joy to serve alongside really great Gonstead Chiropractors, who share the same passion, purpose and mission: to take Gonstead Chiropractic the world. Needless to say, I will be making these trips apart of my life forever.
Thank you for all your love and support of me,
With a full heart, Dr. Taglio DC
