Hi Womb to World community,
Just wanted to share my experience some volunteering work I did few months ago, with a small team of acupuncturist from all around the world.
I had the honour of joining a medical mission with my acupuncture teacher in Vietnam in the end of 2025.
We stayed in a village Long Thanh an hour away from Saigon to provide acupuncture treatment for the community there for a week.
We were geared up with our phone translators and our working belt of hand sanitiser, alcohol swabs, sharps bottle, and lots of pins.
We saw at least 10 patients a day, so we were able to treat over a hundred patients a day, coming for a wide range of musculoskeletal pain to various internal conditions.
We were very blessed to be fuelled with the delicious local treats of Vietnamese coffee, fresh coconuts, fresh tropical fruit, local cakes, and yummy vegetarian food at the temple from their local produce. ☕🥥🍍
Though it was hot and humid, and torrential rain poured, people came to the open hall of the temple to seek relief of their ailments.
Sitting on plastic chairs for their treatment, we worked through rows of patients each session.
As their frowns turned into smiles of relief, our hearts filled with joy and enthusiasm.
With repeated acupuncture treatments, we could we really see the power of what acupuncture can do in healing people even in such a short time!
Which really reinforced for me, the significance of each dose of acupuncture. ✨
My most memorable cases was a lady with weeping eyes and blurry vision, a man with tremors, and cases of numbness in hands and feet. To see such significant improvements, I felt honoured to help give them back some quality of life again.
In addition, it was an amazing learning experience with my teacher and colleagues of Dr Tan linage of acupuncture.
Tan Balance acupuncture system is the use of points to address the area or pattern of discomfort in the body, so we do not usually needle the area of pain directly, then the pain area can be tested for improvements.
I really enjoy seeing my patient’s get better and their surprise that acupuncture actually works! 😊
As we approach the Lunar New Year of fire horse, may we remind ourselves to take a breath before responding and to remember to pause and rest in amongst the speedy pace and fiery energy of this year. 🔥🐎
Sincerely wishing you and your family all the best of health, peace and prosperity. 🌸
Teresa
Your local acupuncturist.