White Roof Rambling

P.S. one week!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 21:30:00 +0000

The end!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 21:22:00 +0000

As always, the people make or break the experience! This was a great co-adventure. Wildland Trekking once again exceeded expectations.

All accounted for at the top!

Betsy crossed off this bucket list item!

Happy almost anniversary!

Our fantastic guide and forever friend, Michael!

The Ascent...Michael lied!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 21:11:00 +0000

Down is optional...Up is required! It wasn't easy, but not all that bad. We took our time, a leisurely lunch. Why rush...once you're up, you're up.

Breaking daylight on our way

A look back at how far we'd come.

Layover day

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 21:02:00 +0000

I looked forward to our day in the canyon perhaps more than any other day. The opportunity to day hike did not disappoint! Our guide took us on 2 amazing adventures, one of which we promised not share on social media (if you have a layover day in the canyon, I'll give you a hint!).

Overlook to Phantom Ranch

The trail we came down, or Middle Earth, not sure!

The Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 00:08:00 +0000

Bright Angel Campground. 5/5 stars. More like a billion stars. A sky thick with stars. I have never seen anything like it!

River in front of us, Canyon walls behind us, Phantom Ranch to the left, bath house to the right.

The Mighty Colorado

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 23:53:00 +0000

My first sighting of THE river. No words.

Nice Ass!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 02:05:00 +0000

I'm currently obsessed with Mules! They are surefooted, reliable, unflappable. While your Thoroughbred is freaking out over the ax wielding plastic bag dancing on the wind, the Mule is expressionless and steady. There's a life lesson in there somewhere. I'm not sure why everything associated with a Mule is so negative: stubborn as a mule, what an ass, drug mule! In the Canyon, Mules deliver supplies, humans and mail. Side note: I saw 2 mule trains with humans aboard, not a single human looked comfortable, every mule looked amused. Second side note: you can still send a postcard from the bottom of the Canyon stamped DELIVERED BY MULE. I sent one to myself. We'll see how long it takes to arrive. I wish a mule would actually deliver it!

The Descent!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:13:00 +0000

Our guide kept telling us, "this is the hardest day!" I'm suspicious that he was just trying to plant a seed that would help us make the journey up. However, the descent was indeed, unrelenting, knee jarring, toe jamming...magical, mystical, other worldly. Yes, that covers it!

Stairs...again with the stairs!

All Signs Point To Go!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 22:14:00 +0000

Run, don't walk TO the Grand Canyon. (Do walk, don't run IN the Grand Canyon)

Twice my plans were foiled. CoVID, weather, but third time was the charm and I FINALLY got to the bottom.

This journey down the greatest ditch in the World, first began with steps along the South Rim.

That view...!

Acupuncture for Frozen Shoulder

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 21:24:00 +0000

You're a female in your forties when out of the blue your shoulder starts to hurt! You don't remember doing anything to it and you expect it will feel better on its own soon. The next thing you know your shoulder pain keeps you awake at night, suddenly you can't fasten your bra or the seatbelt! You have the dreaded FROZEN SHOULDER.

Frozen shoulder can affect anyone (even Superman) after a shoulder injury when the shoulder is immobilized, but it can also strike for no apparent reason completely out of the blue. In my practice, I often see women in their forties and early fifties who fall into this latter category. There are a few theories, but the mystery of this affliction still remains largely unsolved.

The successful treatment for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is less of a mystery. ACUPUNCTURE WORKS!! In my practice, Longevity Wellness Clinic of AZ, I combine acupuncture with other manual techniques and a good home exercise program. The results are exceptional.

That's a wrap

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Tue, 22 May 2018 18:24:00 +0000

Sorry it's taken a while to finish up the trip on this blog...sidetracked by the most recent school shooting. Sigh. Direct tie to why I feel called to do these trips. ANYWAY...

Stairways to somewhere

New doors to open.

I'll be waiting and watching!

Traditional Andean hat made from Alpaca.

Very elusive prey!

Special thanks to my comrades who helped with the hunt...

Clear Eyes...Full Hearts! (Can't Lose)

Stairways to heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Thu, 17 May 2018 21:56:00 +0000

Lots of stairs in Peru...lots and lots of stairs!

Proof that every now and again, we went DOWN stairs!

Looking up? Or looking down?

Stairs along the Inca Trail. What is it about stairs? They are little engineering marvels, they are utilitarian, they are symbolic and they are beckoning. Stairs lead us.

Magical Machu Picchu

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Tue, 15 May 2018 23:21:00 +0000

I was so fortunate to have the opportunity after all the work was said and done, to travel to Machu Picchu. I went with an Inca guide from #EvolutionTreks and hiked the last 7 miles up through the sun gate. Magical, mystical, magnificent. Pick one. All apply. The trek is everything you've heard and more. The moment you climb that final stretch of stairs and step through the Sun Gate you are slammed with beauty as far as the eye can see. Machu Picchu stretches out below you like a lego building on a coffee table. It’s ...so...perfect! Not a stone out of place. What a fascinating and brilliant people.

Faces

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Mon, 14 May 2018 12:41:00 +0000

The amount of trust these Peruvians showed us, continues to warm my heart. It's a bit transcendent to work with someone who doesn't quite speak your language. It's humbling. It's exhilarating. It's challenging. It's rewarding. Here are some of the beautiful faces I got to meet.

Buena Vista

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sat, 12 May 2018 18:34:00 +0000

Project Buena Vista is the love child of our fearless leader, Laura Reyda and her husband Flor. In addition to hosting medical outreaches, they bring students down to this 100 acre parcel of jungle in the Manu preserve. It's a magical place, with just enough comforts to make the stay completely lovely. Every day began and ended at the platform structure, home to the kitchen, the dining room, the treatment room and the CASINO. Nothing funnier than teaching Texas Hold 'em to a Peruvian card shark. Cesar, I'm not sure you ever learned the difference between "pass" and "I'm out", but I am sure you still owe me a ton of matches! Oh, did I mention, one of us on the trip is the daughter of a professional poker player?

Every morning, we boarded this boat and sped across the river, disembarked and hiked about 45 minutes through the jungle to the town of Salvacion. Monkeys, spiders and Tapir tracks, oh my. Reverse the steps and back to home base in time for dinner.

Parting thought: If you're goosed by an otter in a river...should it be called ottered?

Her name was Lola...she was a slow girl

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Thu, 10 May 2018 13:07:00 +0000

Moving our camp from Pilcopata to Buena Vista involved a 45 minute van ride and a 30 minute boat ride. We were met in Atalaya by our 2 boatmen and guides, Cesar and Romero, a dog named Oso and a sloth named Lola. Now like most of the population, I had never seen a sloth...and now I was being handed a backpack FULL OF SLOTH! I'm telling you, it was the most magical delightful unexpected blessing of all time!

If I understand the story correctly, Lola was rescued from the river by Cesar when she was very young. He has been her caretaker ever since and she is about 1 year old. She came with us because "she needs to spend some time in the jungle."

"Puedes vor Lola?" Oh yes, yes, we can watch Lola. And we did. Like a hawk. And she....barely...moved! Ah, I get the joke now, she doesn't exactly need watching. Still, she was hypnotic, mesmerizing...like watching extremely cute paint dry. She is my new spirit animal and I will never be the same.

Pilcopata Clinic #1

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Tue, 08 May 2018 20:01:00 +0000

Let's get started! This is what we came for...acupuncture in the jungle! We worked 2 days in Pilcopata. Our little clinic room, located in the hospital was filled with chairs and one stretcher table. We had dogs pass through, even an occasional chicken...and people, oh my did we have people! Our second day there we saw (at least) 105 patients. Back pain, achilles tendinopathy, frozen shoulder, neck pain, ganglion cyst and some internal medicine stuff. The air was thick with the smell of moxa and PoSum liniment and the sounds of our Spanglish translations. Many thanks to my brothers here in AZ whose Spanish lessons proved invaluable!

My most memorable patient in Pilcopata was a young man with a pretty nasty elbow injury. He came in with about a 45 degree flexion contracture. With a lot of coaxing, a lot of patience and some superior tolerance from this dude, that contracture was eliminated by day two. This was quite an accomplishment and a great testament to the power of some well placed needles! I've been thinking about this fellow and I hope he has continued to improve. He was one tough Hombre'

From the Andes to the rain forest...in one day!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Tue, 08 May 2018 02:31:00 +0000

Day 2 we packed up all our food and acupuncture supplies into a van and headed down the bumpy, muddy, curvy, narrow road from Cusco (Andes) to Manu (rain forest). I called shotgun because of my well known propensity for motion sickness and prophylactically threw some Zofran down (I know, not a very natural medicine approach). It turned out to be a wise choice...imagine a spine jarring 8 hour roller coaster! Add to that a front row seat to the 500 foot drop offs and you'll understand where Big White Jesus was born.
Still and all, the views of the cloud forest (where the humidity of the Amazon is trapped by the Andes) were breath taking and what could be more Peruvian than an Alpaca auction!

Coca tea and Big White Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Sun, 06 May 2018 16:10:00 +0000

My outreach mission completed, it's time to try and share some of the beauty of this land and these people with all of you. I'll do my best to highlight the magical 2 weeks I had over the next few days/posts.

My arrival in Cusco began with a cup of coca tea. This herb is popular in the Andes for it's ability to treat the symptoms of altitude sickness, "soroche." Honestly, it's credited with the ability to ease headache and nausea, fight fatigue and suppress the appetite...among other things. The locals use it to give them staying power to work all day without needing to eat! It's delicious and it worked for me. I got to see the plant later in my visit when my guide pointed it out and proclaimed: "as you can see, it is not white and it does not grow in lines!" Take your time...it took me a minute too!!!

Our first day ended with a "little" hike up to see Christo Blanco or The Big White Jesus (my pet name, not an official translation). I was struck by this photo and how it really does, for me, capture the spirit of Cusco. Christianity was forced upon these Incans and there is evidence of this everywhere. Cathedrals have literally swallowed ancient Incan temples throughout the historic Incan Empire capital. The Big White Jesus stands next to a popular Incan ruin site, Saqsayhuman. Not to worry, they both share the most spectacular view of the city!

My latest adventure...

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 00:17:00 +0000

What will the faces look like in Peru?! I decided it was time to find out. So in April, I'll be off for 2 weeks, on another medical outreach mission, deep in the heart of the Amazon! I'll certainly do my best to keep you updated as we go, but for now...check out my fundraising page for more details.
Adios for now.
https://www.gofundme.com/jodyinperu

Acupuncture vs Dry Needling...which should you choose?

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 23:59:00 +0000

Full disclaimer. I am a licensed Acupuncturist. And, after a wonderful weekend with Sue Falsone's Structure and Function Dry Needling class, I am also a Dry Needler. To be honest, I have always been both...and BOTH is best!

Acupuncture is founded in Eastern Medicine. As an acupuncturist, I speak of Qi and meridians and a holistic approach to your health and well being. I treat your constitution and your underlying imbalances.

Dry Needling is founded in Western Medicine. As a dry needler, I speak of neuromuscular tissue, trigger points and motor points. I treat your kinetic chain and fascial trains.

Here's the thing. The sweet spot has always been a combination of all of the above! Happily, I practice both.

Acupuncture Therapy: Tools of the Trade

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 14:36:00 +0000

Everybody thinks needles, of course, when you refer to Acupuncture Therapy. Rightly so! But, indeed, there are many other tools that are commonly integrated into an Acupuncture Therapy treatment. Laser, Cupping, Electric Stim, Guasha (scraping, IASTM), FAKTR, Taping are all frequent additions to my treatments.
Occasionally, situations will warrant these be the primary or stand alone treatment. Above is a prime example...dirty, messy, rainy, busy rodeo. Not the prime environment for acupuncture, but plenty of other ways to get the job done!

Dynamic Taping

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 16:31:00 +0000

I love #Dynamic Taping. The tape itself stretches in every direction (unlike KTape), has great resiliency and sports a cool tribal tattoo pattern. Unlike KTape, this is a biomechanical taping method, meaning it crosses joints and provides actual physical modifications to the body. It speaks to the Athletic Trainer in me! I love it and I promise you, this will be "The thing" you see in the next Olympics! And yes, that is a real cowboy!

Pickleball anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 01:02:00 +0000

One of the fastest growing recreational activities, especially among seniors, is Pickleball. This fast paced racquet sport is a great cardio workout and lends itself to all levels of skill. As with all racquet sports, it also lends itself to elbow and shoulder injuries. Commonly seen in my acupuncture office at AZ Spine Disc and Sport are Tennis Elbow and Rotator Cuff Tendinitis. Most sports and recreational injuries respond quickly to acupuncture and our goal is to get you back on the court quickly and without pain!

Let me know if I can help!

Thank you!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody Murray) — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 14:28:00 +0000

The results are in and I've been voted BEST of 2016 in the category of Naturopathic/Homeopathic/Holistic for my Acupuncture practice at AZ Spine Disc and Sport! I am honored to be voted first place after only one year here in this beautiful state. I am more honored to be trusted with the care of so many of you and I look forward to many more years of service to the Ahwatukee community.