Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Omkara]

I offered no advice which is harmful. Simple diet cannot hurt, and will likely help. Beyond a doubt, it has in mine. I have come to realize that every time my digestive system is over taxed, sluggish, or abused, my back is aggravated. Therefore, it is wise to take immediate steps which are not radical but helpful while evaluating other options and behaviors,
such as smoking and drinking.

OP, the point is, keep all these simple things in mind when making your long-term strategy. It will take time and lifestyle changes, as DD pointed out.

[TECO]

d.d.

thanks for the info.

you know much about siatica? seems there is a siatic notch just to the side of the butt cheek. sat on that area once too long and my leg experienced numbness for quite a while. trying to do stretches, lose weight, traction and electric therapy / ultrasound with minimal results.

what's the prognosis for this?

[it's full of stars]

About a year ago, a poster who had experienced a back injury posted a pic of a contraption that allowed you to strap in, and turn yourself upside down. I imagine this would help to extend your back and wonder if anyone else knows the name of said contraption, where to find it?

[SeoulShakin]

I am now back home in Canada, and working as a chiropractic assistant. A lot of the presumptions that people have about chiropractic care are unfounded, and I have witnessed "miracles" in some of our patients. People have literally been helped into our office by 2 other people because standing, walking, or moving at all wasn't possible. After a few treatments, they were walking in on their own, moving around, and coming back monthly just for a "tune up" to make sure it didn't happen again. The problem is that most people simply wait too long to get it properly looked at. I've seen a lot of patients (men in particular it seems) who are beyond skeptical about the treatments, and only came because their wife, mother, sister, etc has made them. After one treatment and a conversation with the doctor, they are the ones who want to come back.

What I like about it is that they don't mask your pain with drugs. They offer practical advice about treating the source of the pain, not just the symptoms.

I have a lateral meniscal tear that has been repaired once already, and has since re-torn. I'm wait-listed for another operation to repair it. In the meantime, my knee still locks on occasion. The orthopedic surgeon simply says "not much we can do except surgery, take some drugs for the pain". My chiropractor can actually manipulate my knee and unlock it. He's not repairing the tear, but he makes me mobile again, without unnecessary drugs.

Not the same as back pain, but the same type of treatment is involved. Helping your body heal itself. If you're all having such pains, and your skeptical, that's fine. Many will offer consultations without treatment just to speak to you about your concerns, and explain what they do to ease your mind. Your body is worth at least a consultation.

[D.D.]

[D.D.]

[D.D.]

SIMPLE SOLUTION TO A COMPLICATED PROBLEM.

To be healthy you need a balance between strength, flexilbilty and awareness.

If you do too much heavy exercise you will gain strength at the expense of flexilbilty and awareness.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT OUR BRAIN CANNOT HANDLE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO PROCESS IN THE MODERN WORLD.

Stress test: close your eyes and notice how busy your mind is. If you have lots of thoughts you are not in a normal state but a state of tension.

This state may appear normal because most people around you are in it.

YOUR MIND SHOULD BE CLEAR AND CALM not thinking the same random thoughts over and over again.


The problem occurs because parts of your brain called the amygdala and the hippocampus can't process information fast enough.



It sounds strange but if your mind is busy your body will gradually get too tight.



Simple solution BY A BOOK CALLED THE POWER OF NOW and learn to live in the present moment and get over your addiction to thinking all the time.


As your mind starts to relax so will your spinal cord tension and your problems will resolve.

[D.D.]

[SeoulShakin]

I'm in the Halifax area.

He practices ART, and the other Chiropractor uses another technique, which is different but the name is slipping my mind. It's not just a simple spinal adjustment and you're out of there, they do a lot of muscle releases and other techniques as well. He also uses cold laser therapy to stimulate healing as well.

[SeoulShakin]

And using terms like "bone cracking" aren't exactly the best terms to use for people who are skeptics, since it isn't actually the bones cracking at all, but actually the air/gas in the joint capsule being released while it is being stretched and moved back into place. Saying your bone is being cracked, is not only misleading, but adding to the fear and skepticism that people have about chiropractic care in the first place.

If you're out there, as a chiropractor, you should not be using terminology that adds to misperceptions, but actually educates people as to what an adjustment actually is. That's just my opinion though.

[D.D.]

[Omkara]

OP,

Do look into Rolfing and come to your own conclusions. DD's opinions are good as opinions, but they are just opinions. Other doctors will give contradictory opinions.

The one piece of advice which DD gives which is invaluable is that you must take responsibility for your own healing.

Realize that there are turf wars amongst modalities and disciplines.

Several of my chiropractors, for example, really encouraged me to stick with yoga. I'm glad I did. DD has an opinion which contradicts this. Take it into account, but don't base your evaluation on one person's opinion.

But you get this.

I really hope you find the help and advice you need.

What I have learned is that my body will heal itself, that it is for me to provide it with the aid and behavior which it needs to do the job.

*Therefore, anything you can do to give your body the health and vitality to do the energy-intensive and sustained work it needs to do will be wise. Anything that drains your body of vitality is to be avoided. These are foundational.

So, at the physical level, clean and simple diet; conservative and consistent activity.

At the emotional level, anything that will make you laugh is to be coveted. Anything that brings on negativity is to be avoided. Learn how to be positive and light, to get the stream of your mind to flow in the best direction.

*One thing that has helped me is the thought that Where there is pain, there is life. Where there is life, there can be healing. Therefore, pain gives ground for hope.

Keeping this in mind has helped me a lot.

As far as exercise and yoga are concerned: remember that blood heals. Moderate, conservative and consistent exercise and activity will bring blood, oxygen and nutrition to the areas of your body (most of which are unconsciously suffering) which need it.

Try therefore to get the blood circulating.

One mistake people do make in yoga (and with stretching in general) is to try to think of stretching as making the muscles as long as possible. rather, it is better to think of your stretching as a way to allow the needed blood and energy to gently flow though the deeper tissues.

Instead of targeting the area of pain, get the blood to evenly flow throughout the body so that all of your bodily resources may be gently and consistently awakened such that they can positively contribute to balancing your body as a whole.

Blood flow; simple, light and rich nutrition; lightness of mind: all of these things have helped me.

Keep patient, know you can heal, and notice--right now--how you are breathing. Is it deep into the belly? Or restricted? This is another important area to investigate and learn. Your spinal health is intimately connected to free and light breathing.

When stressed, the breathing is restricted, the body is prepared to fly or fight. In connection to this nervous pattern, all of your muscles will tighten, prepared to spring to action. For a short period, this stress is not harmful. Held for a sustained period--unconsciously for years--, this state can cause back problems.

Learn to watch and enjoy your breathing.

[poet13]

"14. stay away from yoga "

I'm curious about this one. I have some serious back issues. I can sleep for about 5 minutes at a time before I have to roll 180 degrees. I'm getting pretty good at it though. I'm also pretty good when I'm upright. At home , I sit with one cheek on a small pad, and it relieves the pressure on the opposite side in my lower back. I have buggered my back jumping out of planes, getting hit by much bigger people, falling off of bicycles, a moving pickup truck once, and tumbling with a snowmobile. Yeah, that was fun. I still go to the gym and lift weights, but pay much more attention to form than I ever did before.

Anyways, I've always been told that yoga is the answer. So why not? Is it too extreme?

[D.D.]

[poet13]

I don't think I would fly anywhere to get fixed. Thanks though. I suppose though if I was at the "can't walk" point again I might though.

Gotta ask again though. What's wrong with yoga?