Saturday, July 26, 2014

The Rub

I may or may not have mentioned it; but about two weeks ago, the same day I injured my back, I came down with sinusitis and bronchitis. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic and it seemed to help, but it didn't fully clear up the sinus congestion and cough, and the symptoms never fully went away.

This morning I woke with a fever and a full blown cough, so it's off to the doctor for me again. Here's the rub: I cannot take antihistamines because they interact with my medications. (I think the combination drives blood pressure up?)

Don't get me wrong. Antidepressant and anxiety medications saved my life and continue to promote my mental health. However, it stinks that during allergy season or when I have a cold, I have to ride the symptoms out.

If anyone has any ideas for an alternative, I'd love to hear about it!

Stay well friends! :)







Friday, July 25, 2014

I'm Back! (Part Deux)

I'm going to add "supplement medical treatment with alternative therapies" to my list of things to do for recovery. 

As you know, I injured my back two weeks ago. I went to the doctor, but she did nothing for me. She was going to give me a strong pain medication, but said it would interact poorly with my current medications. All I could do was rest it. So, I was down for the count...until this past Wednesday when I had my first therapeutic massage. The results were nothing short of miraculous!*

Walking into the therapist's office that morning, I was stooped and shuffling like a little old lady. But by evening, I was standing erect, my back pain diminished. Now two days later, the pain is gone, and I have complete range of motion in my back - neck too!

I don't know why the doctor didn't suggest it! Is it because doctors don't get enough (or any)
training in using anything other than pharmacological (bandaid) approaches to muscular injury? Or because "big pharma" provides incentives for writing prescriptions, whereas alternative practitioners do not? I can only speculate. Regardless, I am sold on exploring alternatives.

Another alternative medicine approach I am going to take up again is the practice of yoga. I am very eager to resume exercising, but I have to proceed slowly and with care. My goal for the next two weeks is to walk 20 minutes a day and do some lower back yoga exercises before returning to an actual class and resuming full-throttle aerobic and strength training.

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For more information, see: 

Massage:

The Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743

WebMD:  http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/tc/massage-therapy-topic-overview

Yoga:

The lower back exercises I'm going to do: http://breakingmuscle.com/yoga/heal-your-lower-back-pain-with-these-5-yoga-poses

The Mayo Clinic:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/yoga/art-20044733


*Keep in mind, these were my results; every body is different, and results may vary. And for all injuries, see a doctor first. I personally think alternative treatments should be a supplement to medical treatment and not be a treatment used all by themselves.

Monday, July 21, 2014

One at a Time

Feeling a little better - back and psyche. I have an appointment scheduled for a therapeutic massage this week, and needless to say, I'm looking forward to it!

Been thinking about my list again. You see, I have a tendency to be a perfectionist. I want to do everything on the list all at once and do it well. The problem is I end up feeling overwhelmed and then do nothing. Instead, this time I'm going to focus on one thing at a time, and add on from there.

The first thing I'm going to focus on is drinking more water - half my body weight in ounces of water. Then, when my back is better - exercise will be my next focus.

What one thing could you focus on to enhance your life?