Alternative medicine and therapies

[silvermedalist]

I had a Myelogram, and was the most god awful test I have ever undergone. I had a spinal tumor at my T12/L1 section and had to have a laminectomy to have it removed as well as radiation for 6 weeks afterward. It that case I had no alternative choice but to go through with it if I wanted to walk and there are other conditions that warrent surgery and medication.

But some conditions can be treated through homeopathic remedies. But to find a good physician that uses those remedies is the trick and they should always do up blood panels and tests to check out what your levels are at. There was a co-worker who underwent a transformation under a good homeopathy regimin. I beleive in suppliments as our bodies cannot sufficiently absorb vitamins and minerals properly with most of todays diets, and deficiencies are what cause alot of degenerative diseases.

I used to go to a chiropractor when I was younger but wouldn't go now due to my previous issue, but I do have regular deep tissue massages. Wonderful therapy.

Most back problems are concerning the lumbar or cervical spine. Yours was the thoracic or the middle of the spine which are usually less comlicated. I have had several Myelograms. Some were a breeze but this last one was bad. Pressure pain from the contrast for three days. Hope you are fine now?

[BIGDAN]

Bouillon,

Just to be clear, what exactly is your definition of "therapist"? Are we talking about a therapist like you would find in a rehabilitative clinic for people recovering from orthopedic injuries? Or someone who rubs your feet for a dollar an hour in a tent set up at the local farmers market every other Tuesday night?

I believe that some of the confusion here may be in the terms we are using. And maybe they are different across the pond.

Cheers,

Brad

Hi Brad,

I thought a "Thera-pist" is a person who worships the Goddess "Thera" but is usualy the worst for wear.

Kind Regards, Danny

PS, Or is that the Goddess "Hera"?

[bouillon]

Just to be clear, what exactly is your definition of "therapist"? Are we talking about a therapist like you would find in a rehabilitative clinic for people recovering from orthopedic injuries? Or someone who rubs your feet for a dollar an hour in a tent set up at the local farmers market every other Tuesday night?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :hysterical:

The latter.

[silvermedalist]

Someone start up a psychoanlaysis thread at once. That will get even more hits than this one. God knows what many of us would reveal on it? We will put Boullion in the chair first

[bouillon]

Yeah, sounds good to me. Do it, go on go on go on...

[ledzepfvr]

Most back problems are concerning the lumbar or cervical spine. Yours was the thoracic or the middle of the spine which are usually less comlicated. I have had several Myelograms. Some were a breeze but this last one was bad. Pressure pain from the contrast for three days. Hope you are fine now?

I am fine, thanks for asking.

During the test I felt like I was being shaken like a bar drink. Any pressure on my legs caused extreme pain and I must have squeezed the nurses fingers off as I begged for them to stop. No dignity left anyway being in a hospital. After my test, I felt like a bowl of jello and had a massive shot of steroids. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[silvermedalist]

I am fine, thanks for asking.

During the test I felt like I was being shaken like a bar drink. Any pressure on my legs caused extreme pain and I must have squeezed the nurses fingers off as I begged for them to stop. No dignity left anyway being in a hospital. After my test, I felt like a bowl of jello and had a massive shot of steroids. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

They usually have you face down on a table and tilt the table to move the contrast to different area to see the vertebrae. I am surprised they gave you steriods. If they ever give you the pills make sure you have alot to eat. I had the hiccups for 8 days due to that stuff. The pressure pain is the contrast. It can take three days to leave your system. So they must have told you to drink lots of fluids and stay on your back the first day? I have to wait til Sept 8th to go over mine. They are so backed up. borderline malpractice. The entire system is a joke. I woke my surgeon up 7 am Sunday morning the pain was so bad. Hope he was in the middle of good sex.

[ledzepfvr]

They usually have you face down on a table and tilt the table to move the contrast to different area to see the vertebrae. I am surprised they gave you steriods. If they ever give you the pills make sure you have alot to eat. I had the hiccups for 8 days due to that stuff. The pressure pain is the contrast. It can take three days to leave your system. So they must have told you to drink lots of fluids and stay on your back the first day? I have to wait til Sept 8th to go over mine. They are so backed up. borderline malpractice. The entire system is a joke. I woke my surgeon up 7 am Sunday morning the pain was so bad. Hope he was in the middle of good sex.

I had no choice but to stay on my back as at that point I could not walk due the the pressure of the tumor on my spinal cord and I am sure they must of hooked up extra fluids on the IV.

BTW.......regarding the cleaning of the ears, my grandmother used to put hydrogen peroxide in my ear. It tickles as it foams up and I could hear it. Made be laugh every time.

[bouillon]

BTW.......regarding the cleaning of the ears, my grandmother used to put hydrogen peroxide in my ear.

[Jangles]

I was doing a search for something and this old thread came up amongst the results. Curious, I read through it.

All I have to say is ..... Ear Candles! WTF ..... is that for real??!!!!

A person sticks a candle in their ear and burns it?! Good grief, sounds like a proceedure from 18th century

I've used several alternative, homeopathic, natural medicines and remedies successfully in the past, but no one is ever going to stick lit candles in my ears.

"Ear Candaling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is an alternative medicine practice claimed to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. Medical research has shown that the practice is both dangerous and ineffective and does not help remove ear wax or other toxins. The claim by one manufacturer that ear candles originated with the Hopi tribe has also been disproven.

One end of a cylinder or cone of waxed cloth is lit, and the other placed into the subject's ear. The flame is cut back occasionally with scissors and extinguished between 5 and 10 centimeters (2-4 inches) from the subject.

The subject is lying on one side with the treated ear uppermost and the candle vertical. The candle can be stuck through a paper plate or aluminium pie tin to protect against any hot wax or ash falling onto the subject. Another way to perform ear candling involves the subject lying face up with the ear candle extending out to the side with a 45 degree upward slant. A dish of water is placed next to the subject under the ear candle."

[Knebby]

I was doing a search for something and this old thread came up amongst the results. Curious, I read through it.

All I have to say is ..... Ear Candles! WTF ..... is that for real??!!!!

A person sticks a candle in their ear and burns it?! Good grief, sounds like a proceedure from 18th century

I've used several alternative, homeopathic, natural medicines and remedies successfully in the past, but no one is ever going to stick lit candles in my ears.

Your choice. I don't imagine anyone is ever going to force you.

Medical research has shown that the practice is both dangerous and ineffective and does not help remove ear wax or other toxins.

Perhaps those who performed this "medical research" ought to tell that to those who have seen with their own eyes the lumps of wax drawn out of their ears using ear candles. Dangerous? What a load of tosh.

[Jangles]

Have you ever seen the tv show called The Witch Doctor Will See You Now?

http://natgeotv.com/...ill-see-you-now

"British explorer Piers Gibbon is back in a brand new series to investigate some of the planet's most extreme medical practices.

The Witch Doctor Will See You Now explores healthcare that you won't find on the NHS!

From the snake-soup healer in Hong Kong to the chicken-massaging witch doctors of the Cameron, find out how different cultures respond to ailments which are drastically different to Western methods.

Joining Piers are volunteer patients who experience a range of extreme treatments. Their mission is to find a potential cure to their own medical ailments - something western medicine has failed to achieve."

It's a fascinating show and really interesting.

I actually believe that certain tribal, or alternative type medicine and healing could or would work in a positive way, maybe even completely heal, but there are some things I am not prepared to try.

I'm not going to eat Tiger testicles or ground up Rhino horn to improve my virility (well, if I was a man that is) and i'm not going to have leeches attached to my skin to suck toxins out.

Once upon a time, leeches were the done thing, but now a days, I prefer to chose antibiotics prescribed by my doctor and to have my ears syringed in a hygenic medical surgery.

[Knebby]

I haven't seen that show, no. It does sound very interesting.

I think your comparisons are extreme, but like I said, it's entirely your choice. It makes no difference to me whatsoever if any person I meet on the internet wants to have this treatment or not. However, I'm compelled to say that I have first hand experience of it, and it DOES work, and is neither dangerous nor silly.

[Jangles]

My comparisons are extreme, but it's a perfect example.

The hunters who slaughter endangered animals for traditional medicine and the people who still consume these products, don't think their practises are extreme.

I don't know if anyone who sticks lit candles in their ears think they are a bit extreme either, but they obvious believe in that particular treatment. To me, thats a bit weird and extreme, but thats my opinion.

I may be just some random person on the internet, but we're all kind of friends on these forums, where we're here for discussion and opinions, whether it be about the colour socks Page wore at a certain concert, some bikini clad bimbo that the guys post, or our belief in varies traditional remedies.

Thats what makes it interesting and why we keep coming back.

But yeah, watch that tv show if you can. It really is good viewing. A bit sqeamish at times though.

[veritas]

I had a lower lumber disc lesion two years ago. As a result, I also suffered sciatica and a pulled hamstring. After much physiotherapy and strong painkillers, I was able to get back on my feet (literally), however, my back is still stiff. Also, my posture is poor. I was wondering if any of the massage therapies would help - I would not be interested in an aromatherapy type massage, more something like Sports Massage or Swedish Massage. Can anyone advise? Also, I am trying to avoid any practitioner who has only done a week long course because I do not want to end up worse off than when I started through dealing with an underqualified practitioner.

[MollyHendrix]

I had a lower lumber disc lesion two years ago. As a result, I also suffered sciatica and a pulled hamstring. After much physiotherapy and strong painkillers, I was able to get back on my feet (literally), however, my back is still stiff. Also, my posture is poor. I was wondering if any of the massage therapies would help - I would not be interested in an aromatherapy type massage, more something like Sports Massage or Swedish Massage. Can anyone advise? Also, I am trying to avoid any practitioner who has only done a week long course because I do not want to end up worse off than when I started through dealing with an underqualified practitioner.

I am no doctor but i have had a stiff back and these are some things that have helped me recently:

stretching my back (even if it hurts) kind of like yoga.

supportive shoes

These are basically for your spinal column but if it is your muscles than try applying heat or doing exercises. But just keep active.

As for massage, I would only spend the money of massages if you are for sure that it is your muscles that is what is keeping your back stiff. And also, it takes time to relieve stiff back.

[betteremily]

Some of those pics of bikini-clad bimbos make me a bit squeamish too. In fact, half of 'em look like trannies to me.

I've been thinking about these ear candles, in fact I had a dream about it last night where someone was trying to force a big fat choady candle in my ear. Atavism's fine by me, as long as there's a point to it. But if they're made of wax, surely that would only add to the problem?

The idea that one would burn candles in their ears to get rid of wax is ridiculous. Our ears wax up for a reason. And as long as people have had ears they've had wax. As long as people have had wax, they've been sticking their fingers in their ears to shake it loose. Stick to the cotton swabs. I think anyone over the age of 12 ought to know how to properly use one.

This company makes false ties to the Hopi tribe. One should always be leery of people who "claim" they have a medical miracle, especially one founded on bullshit.

[Knebby]

The idea that one would burn candles in their ears to get rid of wax is ridiculous. Our ears wax up for a reason. And as long as people have had ears they've had wax. As long as people have had wax, they've been sticking their fingers in their ears to shake it loose. Stick to the cotton swabs. I think anyone over the age of 12 ought to know how to properly use one.

This company makes false ties to the Hopi tribe. One should always be leery of people who "claim" they have a medical miracle, especially one founded on bullshit.

They are not "candles" in the sense that you know. They are actually hollow tubes. It isn't a ridiculous idea at all - I have seen wax removed from ears with this method COUNTLESS times. It is actually the people with no experience of this method at all coming on here to ridicule it who are foolish.

Oh and ask any doctor - you should not be sticking "cotton swabs" into your ears.

[joe (Liverpool)]

I found that out I went to the Doctor with problems in my left ear, he was amazed that there was no wax or gunge of any kind inside. I ended up with an ear infection because my ears were too clean, apparently the wax offers some protection, he told me never to use cotton buds.

[Knebby]

I found that out I went to the Doctor with problems in my left ear, he was amazed that there was no wax or gunge of any kind inside. I ended up with an ear infection because my ears were too clean, apparently the wax offers some protection, he told me never to use cotton buds.

Cotton buds in your ears are shit. x

[betteremily]

It is actually the people with no experience of this method at all coming on here to ridicule it who are foolish.

Okay, but I still maintain.

This company makes false ties to the Hopi tribe. One should always be leery of people who "claim" they have a medical miracle, especially one founded on bullshit.

If cotton swabs were causing damage to the ear there would be lawsuits out there for all these companies. Instead of providing their current warning labels saying not to push them into the ear canal, they would all together say "Not for use of ears."

[chillumpuffer]

Funny I have stumbled across this thread. I had a wart on my left cheek for a bit. It wasn't like a Lemmy or anything but annoying none the less. I dropped into the medical centre in the village and had a word with the doc. He said not much you can do about that my friend, don't use the over the counter solutions or freeze it off. You can have it surgically removed if you wish, and no you can't have it done on the NHS as it's cosmetic. It would have cost a lot of money.

So wifey suggested I got some "Liz Earle" for men. Naturally active cleanse & polish. It contains Eucalyptus and Rosemary and I apply before I tuck in at night and cleanse with a hot cloth.

Well 3 weeks later and the wart has completly gone and no mark left afterwards. Cost around £15 quid and I've got better skin to boot

[LedZeppfan77]

[chillumpuffer]

That's good to hear.

But if you intended this as a pro-alt medicine story, I'd just like to point out that the wart might have disappeared of its own accord - possibly even quicker.

Maybe maybe not. It had bugged me for months, I tried various things like Tea Tree and the like.

Oh and by the way Motorhead did my ears for me on the England Tour 1978 also and I was exepertly finished off by Jeff Beck On The Guitar Shop show along with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hymas in 1989.

[joe (Liverpool)]

Okay, but I still maintain.

If cotton swabs were causing damage to the ear there would be lawsuits out there for all these companies. Instead of providing their current warning labels saying not to push them into the ear canal, they would all together say "Not for use of ears."

Well according to the specialist in Fazalerley Hospital it was cotton buds that caused a pin sized hole in my left ear drum. Leaving me deaf in that ear, and seeings as cotton buds (and water) were the only things I put in my ear, I put it down to the cotton buds. Apparently they compress any wax in the ear canal and cause unnecessary pressure on the ear drum causing perforation.So maybe it was my fault, or maybe they should state not for ears.