Last summer honestly became one of the biggest turning points in my healing journey. As an international student from Mongolia, I wasn't just carrying school stress, I was also carrying physical pain and mental pressure that I had gotten so used to, I stopped even questioning it.
The main reason I decided to seek treatment was my chronic lower back pain. it actually started in high school when i was training really intensely for an Asian-level dance competition. During practice, I injured my lower back. the competition ended, life moved on... but the pain didn't. It would get worse during stressful times or when I pushed myself too hard physically which as a student, happens a lot.
One of the first things they did was pulse diagnosis. If you're not familiar with traditional Mongolian medicine, this might sound unusual. Instead of immediately doing scans or machines, the doctor carefully checked my pulse at my wrist. They paid attention to the rhythm, depth, strength, and tiny details tha most of us would never notice. My treatment included full-body traditional massage to release deep tension. I also had heat therapy placed on specific points like my ears, hands, feet, and back. Warm herbal heat was used to stimulate circulation and help my body recover naturally.
I was prescribed herbal medicine for three months. Everything was plant-based and natural, which gave me comfort. it felt gentle, not aggressive. It didn't feel like i was fighting my body, it felt like I was supporting it.
Even the food was parrt of the healing. The hospital served traditional Mongolian meals like nourishing soups, meat and vegetable dishes, warm and filling food. It reminded me that healing isn't just about medicine. It's about care. It's about being nourished.
When I went back for a follow-up during winter break, my doctor told me something that really stuck with me. They said my constant worrying and overthinking about the future was putting unnecessary strain on my heart. I was told to be more calm, patient, and emotionally balanced.
And that hit me.
As students, we're always thinking about the next thing. Grades. Internships. Careers. time. Expectations. We're constantly in "what's next?" mode. But living in that constant stress slowly disconnects you from yourself. What I learned from this experience is simple:
Taking care of yourself is not optional
Rest is not laziness
Peace is not weakness.
You don't have to earn the right to slow down. Traditional Mongolian medicine, deeply influenced by Buddhist values, taught me that healing isn't just about fixing pain. it's about learning how to live gently with yourself. Finding small moments of calm and joy is not selfish, it's necessary.
And honestly, wherever you come from, your culture probably holds wisdom that you might need to return to.
-Nobi Altanzul
