Danielle Loewenstein was a volunteer at the Global Clinic held in Santiago, Dominican Republic last April. She treated 30-45 patients a day, offering the utmost of her potentials to all those in need. Those who had done the trip in the past had told her that there would be lines out the door, and around the block to receive free care.

Most of the people who arrived were living with chronic conditions, yet did not have the means to afford healthcare services. For some, attending the Global Clinic literally was the only medical treatment they would receive all year. The clinic team treated men, women, elders, and children. They worked all day, treating as many people as possible. In total, 704 patients were treated at the clinic.

FES donated to Danielle and the clinic team FloraFusions herbal flower oils and TerraAnoint roll-on blends .

Danielle’s report on her experiences

I had finished my last term at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, earning my Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbology. As I embraced that achievement, I felt called to return the gratitude I have for my new life path, by giving back.

I had spent 3.5 years, 4,500+ hours and endless brain cells, on learning what it means to be a healer. I gave my blood, sweat, and tears into that initiation phase that is medical school, and am deeply humbled to have participated in that rigorous journey.

In honor of that ending chapter, I embarked on a week-long trip to the Dominican Republic, as a volunteer acupuncturist with the Global Clinic, from April 22-30th, 2017.

Global Clinic is a non-profit organization that sponsors yearly, and sometimes bi-yearly trips to in-need communities in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Ecuador. We work as a team, setting up our tables and supply stations wherever possible, including the local gym, as was the case during our mission. Residents of Santiago would line up each day, from the hours of 8am-1pm, to receive free treatment. Our team of 12 medical students and professionals, offered acupuncture, massage, and herbal formulas to each individual in need, often seeing anywhere from 15-30 people a day. The doors would close at 1 pm, but we would continue to treat patients until 4 or 5 pm. We encouraged individuals to come back the following day for continued care, and there were a handful of patients who would return every day of the week.

The group of dedicated volunteers attending the Global Clinic with Danielle

It was a humbling and profound experience to connect with the Santiago locals. Their gratitude matched ours, as together we built life-long memories and shared genuine connections.

How do you put a series of divine moments, filled with hundreds of unique souls, connected by ancient healing wisdom, into words? The truth is, you can't. When I looked into the eyes of every individual who arrived at my treatment table, I was equally deeply humbled and grateful. The Global Clinic was stocked with needles and Sharp containers for our Acupuncture medical mission, but there were no massage liniments, healing creams, lotions, or essential oils. We were a large volunteer group, the largest Global Clinic has ever had, and we were understocked.

I reached into my backpack and pulled out my FloraFusions  and TerrAnoint kits, and placed them on the center of the community table. "These are for all of us," I announced. "Each of these flower oils has a unique healing property, ranging from the activation of muscle cells to gentle relaxation of the fascia. If you have any questions, there are reference booklets for more detailed explanations." In short, we chose the oils depending on the condition (chronic vs. acute) of the patient, and whether muscles needed to be activated, relaxed, or energized.

The clinic was set up in a local gym.	Danielle placing acupuncture needles.
All ages were treated at the clinic.

From the first day, to the last, the FloraFusions kit saved us, and the hundreds of patients we treated. We took turns applying and massaging the oils into our patients for various ailments and diseases, including ankle sprains, herniated discs, motorcycle accident wounds and scars, and general aches and fatigue. Also, we used the oils for sprains and strains of athletes, diabetic neuropathy, gastritis and chronic digestive issues, as well as migraine, tension headaches, and emotional wounds. The results were that muscles were more relaxed, and responded more immediately to massage and to manual manipulations.

The TerrAnoint oils were reserved for more profound emotional and spiritual healing, yet were equally as cherished. Patients remarked on the scents and positive warming sensation of the oils. In addition, the patients who returned for two days in a row commented that they felt immediate and all-day relief.

About Danielle Loewenstein

Danielle, with her vibrant spirit, greets all those along her path with a bright smile and a genuine “hello!” Danielle’s passion for healing began in her undergraduate career, studying Psychology at Binghamton University. Upon graduation, Danielle set out on a year-long adventure around the world to find a deeper meaning to what promotes health and conversely, invokes sickness. What she found was the culmination of all three elements of human beings: the mind, the body, and the soul. This discovery sent Danielle back to the drawing board, and motivated her to search for meaning beyond the psychology of the brain alone to discuss one’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Tempted by Osteopathy, Danielle almost took the long road through medical school to find her place within the healing community. However, it was a stranger on the street who ended up being her angel in disguise, who urged her to look into Acupuncture school instead. Within a day of the interaction, Danielle had visited Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM), and filled out an application to enroll. The rest, as they say, is history.

Danielle graduated with a Master’s and Doctorate from PCOM, and has spent the last two years cultivating her passion in pediatrics. Having worked as a nanny all over the country for 10 years, Danielle always knew that she would go back to children when the time came. After working at Rady’s Children Hospital for a year, Danielle learned first-hand the power of acupuncture, and the wondrous spirit of a child. Cancer patients, ICU patients, Post-op, and HEM/ONC infants were the true heroes of each day, spreading brave light and infectious smiles wherever they went.

Danielle’s mission is to provide a safe environment for all individuals, but she holds a special place for the pediatric patient population. By employing the healing benefits of acupuncture, Estim, cupping, moxa, herbal formulas, food therapy, tui-na, reiki energy healing, and crystal therapy, Danielle aims to cultivate the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine with other energetic modalities, in order to offer the best healing and optimal results.