Acupuncture: An Alternative

Western medicine is centered on pill subscription. For every ailment and pain, there is usually a corresponding prescription of medicine that is given. A tablet for back pain, a different medicine for swelling, and another one for whatever.
I have been diagnosed by Western medicine with sacro-iliac joint syndrome - one of those back pains. A dose of Alleve everyday is normal for me coupled with application of the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator. There has been no relief. All I get is temporary masking of the pain.
I decided to try acupuncture. I had an initial treatment two years ago. There was relief on my (L) lower back but the (R) side persisted. It was hell going back to the US sitting it out on those prolonged flights.
My brother practises acupuncture as a form of alternative medicine. I was a willing victim. What can I say? I just finished my fourth session. It was not the best sensation with needles pricking me. I am still with pain. However the intensity has markedly been reduced especially on my (R) side. I am able to tolerate some prolonged walking and standing without necessarily complaining of radiating pains on my low back and legs.
I have not taken any medications so far (except those amoebiasis days). I still have two more sessions to go before I go home. I will not be pain free most probably since the pain will recur once I am back home. A change of lifestyle could be the answer. RETIRE!!!!!

The FLP/NDCP Class 09 - 30 years on

The time of reckoning has finally arrived. The Class 09 of the FLP/NDCP made its trek to Cebu to rekindle once again the spark that existed between and among the classmates. Out of 59 participants, four has passed on. The final tally of 20 participants made it to Cebu.
The excitement can not be contained. I met Ador at the Centennial airport and joined him on the flight. We were met at the Mactan airport by the airport manager, no less - Victor Buaya, another FLP Class 09. The FLP Cebu delegation were all running like a well oiled machinery.
Pictures will not do justice to tell the stories. Maraming mga kwentos during the main events - the formal talks and speeches. Mas maraming kwentos sa "asides" - ang tawag doon ay oral tradition. The color was in the manner of relating the stories. Diba sabi natin nawawala ang kulay ng kwento if the story is translated or related by somebody else and not the original story teller?
Everyone agreed that the trip, expense, hassle, pagod etc were all surpassed by such intense three day "workshop". It is just so unfortunate that a number of the other classmates did not make it. There is always a next time remember? It is just, it is not the same as the first.

Homeward Bound

Depart - Feb 15 - 8:45am
Saint Louis, MO (STL)
Arrive - Feb 15 - 9:55am
Chicago (ORD)
American Airlines 1768

Depart - Feb 15 - 11:15am
Chicago (ORD)
Arrive - Feb 16 - 3:15pm
Tokyo (NRT)
American Airlines 153

Depart - Feb 16 - 6:30pm
Tokyo (NRT)
Arrive - Feb 16 - 10:30pm
Manila (MNL)
Japan Airlines 745

SNOW

W e have been the unwilling recipients of "snow days" - meaning, unplanned vacation days.
We had to stay off the roads for so many days because of the snow and the ice that have been falling relentlessly. The first snow day was great. I got to sleep in and just be lazy. Ang mga sumusunod na araw na puro cancelled classes and no work due to the snow announcements ay hindi na nakakatawa.
We've been missing so many work days na medyo kinakabahan na ang aming mga bulsa. What can we do? The pavement is so slick that it is more of a hazard to seek Physical Therapy treatments due to the possibility of a fall and broken bones, on our patient's part, and LAWSUITS on our end.
We live in a state na merong four seasons. We always have snow and some ice every winter. Pero this year was just something. I am getting tired of it. Mahirap magpala ng snow - mas mahirap ang magkaskas ng yelo. Mahirap magmaneho sa snow, kahit na all wheel drive ang sasakyan, mas matindi ang ang magmaneho sa ice. NAKAKASAKIT NG ULO.
I always say - malapit na ang spring. Malapit na ang tag-init. Matatapos din ang ordeal na ito.