Learning the ways of the South Africans

5-6 June 2013

            Our mornings were spent shadowing three 4^th year physiotherapist (fisio) students, spending each morning with a different group of students. Much of the issues we found in patients were due to incorrect posture and overuse. One woman had neck pain, isolated to the C2-C3 vertebra, which was also causing pain and stiffness in the right trapezius muscles. The fisio student who was attending to her taught us about the Pain Gate Theory which uses electrodes to stimulate larger neuron fibers used for tactile detection so that the smaller neuron fibers that detect pain are blocked from stimulation. This effectively “closes the gate” on pain so the patient feels relieved. A military man from the nearby base came in to loosen up and activate the muscles in his calves and hamstrings before playing squash. Another man who had surgery the previous week on his biceps tendon and rotator cuff came in complaining of trapezius pain due to the sling he must wear, and he practiced some pendulum exercises to begin regaining motion in his shoulder. During the time between patients, we had very interesting talks about our childhood rivalries with siblings, music, sports, and the differences between college life in the US and South Africa. There are not many campus organizations outside of residence life and athletics in South Africa, mainly because politics, language, and religion are very polarizing subjects that cause much conflict. Moreover, the academic curriculum of South African universities is much more jam-packed than that of the US. For example, the three fisio students we met today have averaged 35 hours of class time per week for the past four years (not including studying or research); therefore, they would not have much time outside of academics to participate in extracurricular activities even if they were available.

             Jaclyn and I would go to the clinic for the afternoons to shadow more office visits. We met a university rugby player who had been diagnosed with a concussion during the previous night’s game. Interestingly, he was very passionate about one day coming to the US to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. We also met a man with a minor shoulder aggravation who plans to swim from Cape Town to Robben Island and back the Wednesday of next week. Just a measly 24 kilometer (15 mile) swim through freezing cold, Great White infested waters. We are interacting with some truly incredible people every single day. It is amazing how every day just gets better and better.