Backs in Action Chiropractor, Dr Ryan Takagi has returned to Vancouver after a four-month trip to Tanzania where he volunteered his time and expertise to treat patients there. He wanted to share some of his thoughts with you below.
To read one of his earlier dispatches from Tanzania, click here.
Hello All,
I wanted to send you all a message to let you know that I am back home in Vancouver. I expected things to feel different when I returned from Africa, but I never expected it to be quite like this. I have been in quarantine since I landed less than two weeks ago, only 5 days left! Although I imagine life after quarantine will be much the same, with the exception of being able to go for groceries myself.
Africa was incredible. There is too much to tell here, but I\’ll try to give you a summary. I worked with amazing local partners in Mwanza, Tanzania. Our partners included local governments, local hospitals, Village of Hope, SOS Children\’s Village, and the Tanzanian Home Economics Association. Much of my time was building and maintaining relationships with our partners. Some of my time was spent treating alongside local health officers. Some of the more common presentations we saw were babies and children with cerebral palsy, individuals with neurological conditions likely due to infection, people with back pain, and older individuals with severe osteoarthritis.
I loved Tanzania. The weather was a little hot for me, 25-29 degrees celsius, but amazing. Perfect t-shirt and shorts weather, although all the men wore pants and a dress shirt and the women wore long dresses. I had a chance to explore and did one short safari, but unfortunately missed a safari in the Serengeti due to world events. It was worth coming home instead. I will miss the people, the local markets with fresh fruit and vegetables, and my balcony that had the perfect view of sunset over the lake. But, I won\’t miss sweating every time I went for a walk outside.
I’m happy to be back and looking forward to reconnecting with all of you. I have opened my schedule for Telehealth. To help with orientation to Telehealth, Backs in Action clinic is hosting a webinar series on this, and more broadly, how to stay healthy at home. I will be providing more information in the webinar with regards to what a Telehealth visit looks and feels like for you. If you have any questions or want to get in touch with me, please email the clinic. They\’d be happy to help set you up and answer any questions you have. You can also book online for Telehealth chiropractic care or any other service. Most extended health companies now cover Telehealth as does ICBC.
Warmly,
Ryan
Images:
1. Dr Ryan Takagi outside Backs in Action Rehab and Wellness Centre before his trip
2. Dr Gloria, Dr Ryan and Dr Kahema worked on community spinal rehabilitation in Mwanza
3. Dr Ryan outside the clinic he worked at on his last day in Tanzania
