Oxalis organizes physiotherapy to improve the health of tour guides

Oxalis Adventure always prioritizes safety and service quality in every cave exploration expedition. With the aim of providing exceptional experiences for tourists, Oxalis’s team of tour guides plays a key role as they are required to master safety techniques and operate in deep forest environments. They are not just pathfinders but also conveyors of knowledge about nature, geology, and local culture. To fulfill this role, Oxalis tour guides need to maintain both physical and mental resilience, especially when facing harsh conditions during long trips.

Understanding the importance of health, Oxalis continuously enhances its training and healthcare programs for tour guides. As part of the 2024-2025 training program, in addition to being equipped with safety techniques and first aid knowledge, 15 Oxalis tour guides participated in exercises aimed at relieving musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the shoulders and neck. This helps restore physical strength after trekking and river-crossing adventures.

The master helps the tour guides adjust their movements to ensure safety and increase effectiveness.

The physiotherapy course was held from September 21 to October 3, 2024, at Oxalis Home, the company’s headquarters, and was led by martial arts master Long Phi Su. He applied techniques from the Shaolin Nung Si school, combining martial arts and qigong. Before starting the exercises, the tour guides underwent a process of energy flow enhancement, massage, and acupressure to address pain in the shoulders, neck, and joints. Afterward, they were guided through 21 recovery exercises. The treatment and training period spanned 10 to 12 days, ensuring all participants had sufficient time to recover and improve their health.

Under the master's guidance, tour guides performed exercises to heal and strengthen their neck, shoulder, and upper back muscles.

"Each individual should actively train physically and mentally to maintain good health. Health care not only depends on therapeutic methods or external support but, first and foremost, on knowing how to take care of oneself," - emphasized Master Long Phi Su.

Oxalis’s physiotherapy program goes beyond temporary pain relief, helping tour guides better understand their bodies and how to care for their health in science-backed ways. The guides were advised on health-related issues, allowing them to proactively adjust their habits and exercise routines to maintain long-term well-being. Regular exercise habits help reduce the risk of injury in the future and enable faster recovery in case of accidents during work.

The Oxalis tour guides do sit-ups as a warm-up before starting training.

After the course, Oxalis tour guides were encouraged to maintain a regular exercise routine to preserve their health. The basic qigong exercises they learned benefit them and can be applied to their families. However, to avoid unwanted injuries, they were reminded not to practice complex exercises requiring advanced techniques without an expert's detailed guidance.

The course brought positive changes to Oxalis’s tour guide team. In addition to improved physical fitness, the guides gained a deeper understanding of their personal health. They can now effectively adjust their lifestyles and care for their bodies. Moreover, maintaining regular exercise reduces the risk of injury and enhances their mental well-being, creating a more positive work environment.

Anetta, a guide who participated in the physiotherapy, shared, “The treatments, such as acupressure and massage of the neck, shoulders, and back, were painful at first, but after a few sessions, I felt much better in my joints. The recovery exercises were excellent, especially those related to the guide’s job, such as ankle, wrist, and cramp relief exercises.”

Ms. Anetta had a massage and meridian therapy session with the martial arts master.

With its focus on developing sustainable tourism, Oxalis places great importance on providing its tour guides with the best opportunities to care for and recover their health. This benefits each individual and helps maintain the highest quality service for tourists. A healthy, relaxed tour guide will provide the best possible experiences for visitors during their nature explorations.

The Oxalis Experience.