Acupuncture Relief Project

New Blog Post by Andrew Schlabach:
🔗 https://acupuncturereliefproject.org/news-blog/337-stepping-back-far-enough

Some work only reveals itself with time.

With enough distance, the small moments (clinical encounters, conversations, careful decisions) begin to form a larger story.

After returning home from Nepal, our founder Andrew Schlabach wrote a reflection on nearly two decades of building care, mentorship, and trust with Acupuncture Relief Project & Good Health Nepal. It’s a piece about slowing down, questioning assumptions, holding ethical lines, and watching leadership grow: quietly, patiently, and from within the community itself.

This writing holds so much of what ARP is really about and we’re grateful to share it with you. 🤍

Wishing you a gentle close to the year and a meaningful beginning to the next.

✨ Volunteer Spotlight: Lindsay Drescher ✨
Oct 10, 2025 – Dec 13, 2025
🇨🇦 Canada

Lindsay was drawn to Chinese medicine through a curiosity about “optimizing the human experience.” She has always felt called to help people, and Chinese Medicine’s view of the body, mind, and spirit as interconnected deeply resonated with her. “I felt called to work in a way that supports people on multiple levels.”

She applied to the ARP during a period of transition in her life. The opportunity felt like a chance to learn, be humbled, and offer service in a way that challenged her personally and professionally, while shifting her focus beyond herself.

During her time with us, Lindsay provided nearly 450 treatments. What surprised her most was seeing what happens when acupuncture is given with consistency and frequency. “The changes in pain, mobility, and healing have been undeniable, and it’s deepened my trust in what this medicine can do.”

Living with our Nepali acupuncturists and their family showed her that care begins far beyond the clinic. Through shared meals, daily check-ins, and inclusion in celebrations, she experienced a generosity that made her feel genuinely part of the family.

In clinic, Lindsay was struck by how much people endure before seeking care. Without accessible healthcare, many live with chronic conditions and significant pain before coming to the clinic.

This experience expanded her sense of responsibility as a clinician to thinking beyond point selection. It’s important to know when to treat and when to refer.

What will stay with her most is the warmth of the village: daily smiles, quiet “namaste,” and moments of shared kindness. Lindsay said that “even without sharing the same language, kindness was consistently felt and exchanged.”

✨ Winter Volunteer Team: Eden, Gemma & Lindsay ✨

This winter we’ve been lucky to host three foreign acupuncturists at our Bajrabarahi clinic: Lindsay Drescher (Canada), Eden Choi (USA) and Gemma Beck (USA). Living together above the clinic, they share early mornings, long clinic days, evening debriefs, and plenty of laughter with the family who hosts them: Clinic Director Sushila Gurung, Clinic Manager Satyamohan Dangol, and their daughter. They are also well fed and cared for by our beloved chef, Sakali (“Didi”) Gopali.

RP President Andrew Schlabach, happens to be on the ground at the same time, and under his guidance they are deepening their skills in orthopedic acupuncture, an approach that includes techniques some providers describe as “dry needling,” and learning to integrate hands-on assessment with careful clinical reasoning.

They are also practicing something essential to our program: screening for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) using the tools in their kits, including blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes and pulse oximeters. These basic instruments help detect conditions that are major causes of illness and death in Nepal. Learning to use them well is part of becoming a safe and effective rural primary-care provider.
Between treating patients, learning from Andrew, and collaborating with our Nepali practitioners, the three have also spent time outside the clinic helping clean the gardens, planting herbs and vegetables, and becoming part of the daily rhythm of the household that holds them.

Together, Eden, Gemma, and Lindsay represent the kind of practitioners we hope to train: humble, curious, collaborative, and eager to build skills that will serve their home communities for years to come.

📸

✨ Volunteer Spotlight: Eden Choi ✨

“I studied English and was pre-med before starting acu school. A public health study abroad in Kunming, China set my path towards a Chinese medicine degree. Receiving acupuncture and Tuina improved my health and changed my life.”

Eden applied because she wanted to practice, learn, and experience Nepal, without many expectations, just openness to challenge and service. What’s surprised her most is the kindness and trust she’s been offered as a foreigner, and how often she’s had the chance to develop hands-on skills that might only come up occasionally in the U.S.

Living with a Nepali family has been a highlight. “They give their love and support when clinic is hard… and make sure I’m safe and full of food.” Daily life has shown her the sweetness of community, care, and cultural exchange (and yes, momo-making!)

She’s learning Nepali bit by bit: “‘Tik cha? Alli kasto cha?’ translates to ‘Are you okay? How about now?’ When my patient realizes I’m asking in Nepali, there’s a moment of surprise followed by shared joy. There’s connection.”

In clinic, Eden has been struck by how many people have never seen a doctor before and how essential it is to screen for noncommunicable diseases, especially severe hypertension. She’s learning that sometimes the most important role she can play is guiding someone toward the care they truly need.

Her advice to future volunteers: “Be open, be generous, and seek to understand. Also, take breaks, drink hot tea, and get back in there!”

One of her favorite memories: a schoolgirl with a sprain who was nervous about needles. After gentle care (and KTape), she returned the next day with a friend… and then another. Soon the whole group was receiving treatment together—a testament to the trust built here over many years. “I hope I can build such trust in my own practice.”

💛 Thank you, Eden, for your openness, curiosity, and heart.