Providing a Chiropractic Touch—and Getting Something in Return—in El Salvador

For several years now, I’ve led a team of upper cervical chiropractors from The Specific and students from Life Chiropractic College West to El Salvador, where we spend time providing chiropractic care to people who need it. El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America, and, unfortunately, chiropractic care is not widely available.

It’s not uncommon for medical teams to send missions to developing nations as we are, but upper cervical chiropractic care is unique in that it doesn’t require expensive drugs or equipment. Because upper cervical chiropractic care is a full-body wellness technique, we’re able to help El Salvadorians with many health problems through a simple adjustment.

El Salvador holds a special spot in my heart, but the truth is that the country has undergone some rough times in recent years. Civil war, social inequality and a susceptibility to earthquakes and other natural disasters have left El Salvador in an economic situation that relies heavily on money sent to the country from friends and relatives living in the United States.

Though El Salvadorians are in need of the chiropractic care we provide during our annual mission trips, there’s another reason why these trips are so important to me. By giving other Americans the chance to see and experience all of the good things about El Salvador, I hope to demystify some of the stigma that plagues the country.

The fact of the matter is that El Salvador really is an outstanding country filled with unexpected surprises. It’s not marketed as a travel destination as heavily as Costa Rica or Belize, but some of the country’s natural sites rival those found in neighboring Central American countries. In Western El Salvador, visitors can hike to active volcanoes in Parque Nacional Los Volcanes, which is also a bird sanctuary. Those interested in water sports should check out Lago de Coatepeque, which is particularly peaceful during the week. Punta Roca, El Salvador’s most famous surfing spot, is home to one of the best right point breaks in the world, and yet it’s not nearly as crowded as less impressive waves in other parts of Central America.

Many people are also surprised to discover that San Salvador, the country’s capital, is vibrant, exciting and academic. The city has several museums and galleries, and the local nightlife and live music scene rival those of other cosmopolitan centers.

I’m excited that, once again, this motivated team of chiropractors will be able to assist those who need it most in El Salvador, but I think that, just as we are able to offer something to the people we’ll encounter, they’ll offer something to us in return—a cultural experience and memories we’ll share with others upon returning home.

RESOURCES

“El Salvador Country Profile.” News.BBC.co.uk. (April 7, 2011) Retrieved May 23, 2011 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1220684.stm.

“Introducing El Salvador.” LonelyPlanet.com. (June 18, 2011) Retrieved May 23, 2011 from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/el-salvador