Osteopathy Internship in Nepal

Why is Osteopathy Needed in Nepal?

Osteopathic Treatment Access in Nepal:
In Nepal, access to specialized healthcare treatments such as osteopathy is limited, especially in rural areas. People suffer from untreated back pain, post-traumatic injuries, and chronic conditions that could greatly benefit from osteopathic intervention. Traditional healthcare often doesn’t address musculoskeletal issues as comprehensively as osteopathy does, making this approach invaluable to underserved populations. Furthermore, there’s a growing demand for osteopathy for sciatica, osteopathy for neck pain, and osteopathy for headaches, especially among rural communities engaged in heavy labor.

Volunteer Roles

1. Clinical Practice: Volunteers will work in hospitals and local clinics, providing hands-on osteopathic treatments for conditions like back pain, neck pain, headaches, and sciatica. You’ll be involved in direct patient care, using osteopathic techniques such as manipulation, stretching, and massage to relieve pain, restore function, and improve mobility. Volunteers may also assist local healthcare workers in applying osteopathy for long-term patient health improvements.
2. Outreach in Rural Communities: Volunteers will visit Okhaldhunga and Jitpurphedi. Some volunteers have previously traveled to remote regions like Everest to provide much-needed osteopathic care. In these underserved communities, you’ll focus on holistic healthcare, providing treatments like cranial osteopathy for babies and chronic pain relief for adults. These outreach efforts have significantly impacted, particularly in areas where healthcare is scarce.
3. Pediatric Osteopathy: You’ll specialize in pediatric osteopathy, working with infants and children to address issues such as colic, sleep disorders, or developmental delays using gentle osteopathic techniques. Volunteers will also collaborate with local midwives and healthcare providers to educate parents on the benefits of osteopathy for babies, promoting early intervention and holistic health approaches for children in rural Nepal.
4. Patient Education and Workshops: In addition to hands-on treatment, volunteers will conduct educational workshops for patients and the broader community on the benefits of osteopathy and preventive care. You’ll explain how osteopathy can help alleviate chronic pain, pregnancy-related discomfort, and musculoskeletal issues. Volunteers will also train local health workers on basic osteopathic techniques, ensuring the knowledge is sustainable long after the volunteer program ends.
5. Osteopathy for Women’s Health: Volunteers will focus on osteopathy for pregnancy, helping to alleviate back pain, pelvic discomfort, and other musculoskeletal issues related to pregnancy. Through prenatal and postnatal care, you’ll work with pregnant women and new mothers, ensuring they receive proper body alignment and pain relief to improve their overall comfort during and after pregnancy.
6. Healing Outreach in the Everest Region: In past outreach efforts, volunteers have visited communities in the Everest region, where they provided essential osteopathic treatments to porters, guides, and locals suffering from musculoskeletal injuries caused by the harsh physical demands of trekking and heavy labor. You can make similar trips, extending osteopathic care to remote Himalayan areas where healthcare access is often limited or unavailable.
7. Osteopathic Research and Data Collection: Volunteers will assist in data collection and research, documenting the effectiveness of osteopathic treatments in improving patient outcomes. This data will better understand rural Nepal’s healthcare needs and promote osteopathy integration into Nepali healthcare practices. Volunteers will conduct patient assessments, keep detailed records, and provide case studies for future osteopathic projects and training initiatives.

Typical Day as an Osteopathy Volunteer:

Morning:
8:30 AM – Breakfast
9:30 AM – Start your day with consultations and patient assessments, focusing on treatments for neck pain, back pain, and headaches through osteopathic methods like soft tissue manipulation or cranial osteopathy.
12:30 PM – Lunch and preparation for afternoon patient sessions or workshops.

Afternoon:
1:30 PM – Continue treating patients, followed by outreach in nearby villages for community education on osteopathy benefits.
4:30 PM – Documentation of treatments and case reviews with local staff.

Evening:
6:00 PM – Participate in cultural activities or relax with your host family.

Skill Assessments & Feedback

• Weekly Assessments:
  Volunteers will undergo weekly evaluations where supervisors will review clinical cases, patient outcomes, and the effectiveness of osteopathic treatments
• Ongoing Feedback:
  Supervisors will offer continual guidance to improve volunteers’ skills in applying specific osteopathic techniques, such as cranial osteopathy, and addressing conditions like sciatica, pregnancy-related discomfort, and pediatric needs.
• Final Evaluation:
  At the end of the project, a comprehensive evaluation will assess overall performance, patient outcomes, and knowledge gained from the volunteering experience.

Free-Time Activities:

• Exploring Nepal:
  In your free time, you can explore Kathmandu’s rich cultural heritage, visit ancient temples, or embark on weekend treks to scenic locations like Nagarkot for views of the Himalayas.
• Cultural Immersion:
  Experience local festivals, learn traditional Nepali cooking, or participate in yoga and meditation classes.
• Volunteer Networking:
  Meet and collaborate with other healthcare, education, and community development volunteers, sharing experiences and ideas.

What’s Included

• Accommodation:
  Volunteers will stay in clean, safe accommodations in volunteer houses or with host families in Kathmandu and rural locations. These accommodations offer a genuine cultural experience.
• Meals:
  Traditional Nepali meals (3 meals daily) allow volunteers to enjoy local cuisine.
• Transport:
  All project-related transportation, including visits to rural clinics and outreach programs, is provided.
• Orientation and Training:
  Upon arrival, volunteers will receive a comprehensive orientation that includes safety, local culture, and healthcare practices. They will also receive additional training on osteopathy benefits and its application in Nepali healthcare.
• Support and Certification:
  Volunteers will receive 24/7 support during their stay and a certification of completion recognizing their contributions and the skills they’ve applied during their internship.

How to Apply

1. Submit an Application: Fill out the [online application form link] detailing your background and areas of interest.
2. Pre-Departure Information: VIN will provide comprehensive pre-departure guidance, including what to expect, what to bring, and safety tips.
3. Start Contributing: Upon arrival, you will begin your medical elective abroad and contribute to improving healthcare in Nepal.

Requirements

• Gender: Female / Male
• Minimum Age: 18+ years (16-17 years old person can volunteer but need to present parents’/ guardian’s consent letter)
• Language:English (Intermediate)
• Educational:High School Graduate

Your Experience/ Setting

Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will receive a warm welcome and be transported to your hotel or hostel. If you are already in Nepal before the start of your placement, we can make alternative arrangements for you. You will undergo a comprehensive two- to three-day induction program after arrival. This induction will provide valuable information about your project and general information about the Nepalese language, culture, health, safety, and security. It is also an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers and interns who can become your companions for sightseeing and a source of support throughout your volunteer placement.

During the induction period, you will be accommodated in a budget hotel or hostel arranged by VIN. However, most of the VIN experience involves living with a Nepalese host family. While this immersion is essential for a complete experience, we understand that it can be challenging as you adapt to a new culture and adjust to facilities that may be more basic than you are accustomed to. Don’t worry; all our host families have experience accommodating volunteers, although their English-speaking abilities may vary. Also, you will have 24-hour access to our staff members for support and assistance throughout your placement.

Volunteers will be assigned to one of VIN’s working areas, which include Tarakeshor Municipality in Kathmandu, Taluwa, Thulachhap, and Bhadaure in Okhaldhunga, and Okharpouwa and Kaule in the Nuwakot district. While at the working site, volunteers are requested to bring their lunch box, water bottle, safety gear, face mask, and any other essential belongings. We advise volunteers to dress comfortably and modestly, preferably with long sleeves. Please get in touch with us for guidance and support if you want to raise project funds or collect project-specific resources. This will help the community a lot.

Schedule and Commitment

You will work five to six days a week, up to six hours per day. You may propose your preferred time and hours; however, the working time period will be dependent on the institution you have been placed. A minimum of 2 weeks’ time commitment is expected of a volunteer. The longer you commit; the better impact you can make. You should be willing to commit a certain amount of your free time and energy, show a lot of commitment and be a good listener. You are expected to work constructively and co-operatively maintaining good reputation and standards at all times. Volunteer should abide by relevant security concerns and access procedures. Moreover, you should be receptive and positive to performance appraisal, advice and feedback. Throughout your placement, you will have the full support of VIN. Your safety is our highest priority.

You will receive a clear and concise on-the-job instructions, course of action, context of work and policies/strategies before your placement begins. You will be provided with ample of guidance and support throughout the placement with trainings / onboarding sessions incase necessary. You will be in a constant communication and regular check-in with the VIN volunteer coordinator. VIN aims to maintain a culture of continuous feedback between the volunteer supervisor at the placement to monitor the performance of the volunteer and ensure the project delivers desired outcomes.

In case of an emergency, you may contact one of our Volunteer Coordinators who will be available anytime for your assistance and support.
Click here to Learn more on how volunteering works

Mid and Long Term Volunteers:
2 weeks minimum stay- € 350
3 weeks – 450€
4 weeks – 550€ (after 4th week, for each additional week €85)

University Internships:
4 weeks minimum stay- € 650 (for each additional week – €95
Click here  to Learn what’s included and excluded in our Fees Section

Click here to Learn recruitment process on how volunteering works

​Our projects are open year-round, and our inductions begin on the first and third Mondays of each month. We would like to ask that volunteers arrive one day before the start of the induction. You can choose the duration of your participation based on your available time. However, so that you know, our volunteering placements are limited. We highly recommend booking your placement in advance to secure your placement. Click here to apply.