Monday, July 7, 2008

Final Thoughts!


































































A week has now passed since our arrival back to our lives from the KCUCS DR 08 Mission. It is easier to write these things from a post perspective. The energy on this mission was at such a high level it would be easy to miss the significance of what was accomplished.

Our host contacted us as recently as this morning (Monday July 7, 2008). She related that testimonies and good reports are coming in full force. The ripple effect continues as so many lives were touched through Upper Cervical Care.

I love to watch the impact of Upper Cervical Care when it is unfettered as it is on the mission field. In no way will I discount any of this. However, there is such a powerful thing that happens when the team comes to a poverty stricken area that even appears to be kind of forgotten. Just the appearance of the team walking through the community touching the people, hugging the kids, shaking hands, and exchanging the moments we have with them. It is such a powerful experience that words only confine.

On this mission trip strict protocols were used to determine when a person received an Upper Cervical Correction. Prior to anyone getting an Upper Cervical Correction they were examined with a Medullometer (NCM). The Medullometer measures skin temperature differentials bilateral to the spine. Abnormal bilateral temperature is one of the first signs of an upper cervical subluxation with the head coming off its normal position relative to the atlas. It is the torqueing pressure or compromise of brain stem and/or spinal cord function that results in abnormal skin temperature differentials.

After the Medullometer reading had been analyzed and recorded then a postural scan was then performed to determine the Upper Cervical listing. The listing was documented along with the Medullometer finding on the same form. After these procedures an Upper Cervical Correction was administered accordingly. Each person was given the patient form with the date, Medullometer reading and Postural scanned Upper Cervical listing recorded. They were instructed to come back the following day with their patent form. Nearly every person coming back for re-checks came with their forms. We emphasized the importance to each person, through interpreters, how important it was for them to return the day following the correction for analysis.

On the following day, a Medullometer reading would be performed to determine the success of the Upper Cervical Correction. On most occasions we received normal readings on the post scans along with good reports from the patients. On some occasions the readings did not balance and a 2nd Upper Cervical Correction was performed using what had been learned through the process to best direct the correction. All in all only a few 2nd corrections had to be made.

We do not have access to X-ray in the mission field like we do in our offices. We rely on Postural Scans to determine listings. Therefore, a heavy emphasis is placed on the pre and post Medullometer readings to help determine how successful our correction was on any one individual as well as the effectiveness of care. It is an excellent tool that has helped us render higher quality service even in the toughest conditions to do our work.

This was the KCUCS World Mission Team’s first visit to the Dominican Republic. Long term results can not be determined as of yet. We can surmise from past experience what is likely to happen. It has been surprising to us to see testimonials coming forth a year later upon our return or second visit to a place. I am sure long term results do not happen for everyone and some may not experience anything symptom wise at all in the way of improvements. We have had enough testimonials on repeat visits, however, to convince us that a significant number are experiencing real long-term benefit. We have been to Guatemala 4 times in the same villages. Some of the villagers actually have their own ‘regular’ doctor from the team.

On the Upper Cervical Front, a list of Highlights:
1. We worked in downtown Bani, D.R. Monday through Thursday. We arrived each day (after the first) to a large crowd waiting either to be re-checked or checked for the first time. The police officers working the streets of downtown Bani all became our best friends telling everyone the Upper Cervical Chiropractic Story. They encouraged all to get checked. They even assigned a special police unit to guard the team (although we felt safe at all times because of the warmness and friendly nature of Dominicans).

2. Many testimonials were received. We were able to record some of these testimonials through video.

3. Three small villages received Upper Cervical Care as well. A smaller portion of the team would break off from the main team each day. They set up clinics in specific places within the villages. None of the people in these villages, or in Bani for that matter, knew about Upper Cervical Care prior to us coming. The built and built as the testimonies started coming forward. Then the last days were more like a frenzy at times as everyone wanted to get checked before the Doctors left.
4. The Upper Cervical Team was officially greeted by the National Chief of Police. Other high officials in the Dominican Republic government were checked and adjusted as well. The Secretary of State received a Knee Chest Upper Cervical Correction as well. We have positive reports from them one day and two days following their corrections. We don't know where this will lead, but an important door has been opened.

5. We had 4 doctors on the team who spent most of the week training the others on KCUCS Corrections. From my vantage point I was shocked in some cases to see the level of improvement in just a week. The significance can not be overstated. The Teachers did an excellent job!

On Team Growth: We had many different personalities with one thing all shared in common. We wanted to serve people in the Dominican Republic. Basic comforts were challenged the first couple days due to no electricity (A transformer busted and several villages were without electricity for a couple days). This all happened as we, as a team, were all getting adjusted to our new environment as well as each other. Each individual on the team made an important decision. We all decided that we were here to do a mission and that we needed to PRESS THROUGH ALL OBSTACLES! This is what happened as the accomplishments reflect. The team building process of coming together in unity is a work of art, an awesome accomplishment.

On Pastor Veronica Freites ( http://www.veronicafreites.blogspot.com/ ) and The Mount of Olives Church: What an awesome host they were. They are truly doing a great work in this region of the Dominican Republic. They have a vision to teach people in these poverty stricken areas how to sew, work with computers, learn the language (Many Haitians speak French Creole in the Spanish speaking D.R.), etc. They are involved in many areas that help people reach up for a better opportunity, teaching them basic skills, training them to succeed.

I have already written about Pastor Veronica, her church and helpers. What an awesome display of faithfulness and servitude. We definitely have a connection with her and her ministry. I think good things happened with her church as a result of our teams visit. What an impact it is for the team to show up in a village where she has a church. Here come the Doctors from the U.S. She already has a good reputation in the community as well as with Government Officials, but I think it strengthens these thoughts within the minds of the villagers as a team like ours comes to serve.

As you read through the rest of the Blog keep in mind that it was posted like a diary. Therefore, the very end of the Blog was the beginning of the trip. Thank you for taking the time and energy to view the Blog. These are really special people and it was a great Upper Cervical mission.

Please feel free to post comments. For information on the KCUCS Certification Program go to http://www.kcucs.org/ or e-mail rkessinger7@gmail.com or call 573 334 0100.

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