What's Da Buzz?

From my position and a variety of experiences, I have long noticed a tendency of individuals (dito sa US) to become so opinionated that it damages their health in numerous ways.

In the Philippines finances forced us to make our medical choices carefully and with a heavy dose of common sense. There is a time for the pharmaceutical drugs, a time for surgery, a time for massaging the bones back into place, and a time for just sucking it up and dealing with it. How do you deal with depression in the Phils? A solid kick in the rear to get you into action is the answer. You do not have the time to be depressed as we are too busy working to survive. (Pag lagi ka depressed sa Pinas, naku patay, mamatay ka sa gutom!)

But I’ve noticed people take things to the extremes dito sa America. Some are so devoted to getting a pill for this or that problem that you could swear they are addicted to popping pills no matter how much the chemical soup itself is messing them up. I’m in that field and the quantity of side effects and dangers of interaction of drugs is not something to mess with. Minimizing meds to the absolute bare minimum needed is always wise. Nutrients can be had from a variety of the plants and animal products are available. You just need to make certain you don’t put too much faith into that either. Balance is key with independence from drugs the goal.

When it comes to other injuries such as the result of a fall or accident, your treatment options depend on the nature of the injury. A few years ago, a relative in the Philippines was in a motorcycle accident and shattered his arm. That was no place for a masseuse or chiropractor (term for those trained for getting your bones back in line in the USA). He needed the plates and screws to fix his messed up arm. But other times such as a glorious back flop on black ice covered sidewalks are best treated by going to the chiropractic doctor. In this you avoid going under the knife if at all possible for two primary reasons.

First, it is a heck of a lot cheaper to go to the chiropractic doctor than a surgeon for something the other specializes in fixing. Second, you want to avoid becoming Frankenstein or the bride of Frankenstein at all costs due to long term aches and pains a surgery may cause. Again, balance is very important.

In this area, I would respect the life lessons I learned from the Philippines far more than what the US culture pushes. Common sense should always rule and it calls for a balanced approach looking at facts not opinions.

(Hayy, pakibili po ng herbal ni lola, mas epektibo pa walang side effects LOL; Okay, joke lang po!)

Anah
“If the shoe fits, wear it.”