A WHITCHURCH acupuncturist has hailed a three-week charity trip to India having provided acupunture treatment while she was over there.
Teresa Dawkes owns Balance Acupuncutre in Green End, and she travelled to the Asian country as part of the World Medicine Acupuncture in Action charity and was joined fellow acupuncturists and translators from the UK.
She worked in the Jay Ambe Hospital in Chaparda in the Gujarat region which is very poor and where there is limited access to healthcare.
Teresa said she is pleased with the impact her work had and hopes to provide acupuncture in India again.
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She said: "It really was an amazing experience and a privilege to treat so many patients and to see so many people benefit from acupuncture.
"I hope to repeat this next year."
People who came to see Teresa had many problems and she treated between 25 and 30 patients on most days.
She explained: "We were very lucky to be staying in a local ashram (monastry) and to have all our meals provided.
"The main complaints treated were musculoskeletal-skeletal problems with painful knees and backs, many of the patients being farmers.
"There is also a large number of diamond polishers employed in the area who suffer from shoulder problems."
Teresa explained many people travelled to see her and receive treatment.
She exxplained: "The people in the area were so friendly and pleased to see us and many travelling up to 62m to receive treatment.
"Over 600 patients were treated over the three-week period with most having at least four treatments.
"Massage, moxa and cupping treatments were also given when appropriate.
"We did manage a couple of visits to local towns where we drew quite a bit of attention with many people asking for selfies with us."
The World Medicine Acupuncture in Action charity began its Chaparda Project in 2010 and has treated many patients and trained hospital staff.
A spokesperson added: "We have had an on-going programme in Gujarat, India for many years now, working with our host organisation, Health Aid Trust.
"Over the years we have treated thousands of people and trained hospital staff.
"We know practitioners will find it a valuable and enjoyable way of using their skills to help a very deprived community."
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