Day Two Hundred Sixty-Six: Government Issued Physical

Jeff and anyone who might potentially travel with him to one of his postings, should he become a diplomat, has to pass a pretty rigorous physical. So, we loaded everyone up and spent a couple of hours at the clinic today. I can't really say it was fun or completely painless, but it could have been worse, and it's good to have it over with. Just one more step toward the goal!

Day Thirty-Six: Alternative Medicine

From the inception of the Year of Firsts idea, I have had "try alternative medicines" on my list. Part of the reason for this was pure curiosity and part of it was a growing disenchantment with modern Western medicine I've developed over the last few years, which has prompted me to want to learn about a variety of alternatives. My big chance to look into a couple of different alternative medicines came today during an open house at the North Texas Whole Health Wellness Center, where a few practitioners were offering samples of their services for free. I opted to try the BEMER electromagnetic therapy offered by the chiropractor and the NADA five-point acupuncture protocol offered by the acupuncturist. Both were completely new to me, and I was glad to learn about them. The BEMER therapy wasn't painful or even really noticeable, but it was kind of relaxing to lie on the table picturing my blood vessels opening themselves up to maximum capacity. The acupuncture consisted of having five needles stuck in each of my ears and was slightly uncomfortable, even after the needles were removed. I'm not really sure if I would want to go back for more of that particular treatment, but I'm so glad I had a chance to learn about a try new things and especially that I got to try them for free.

A brochure about BEMER

Reading material about NADA acupuncture

Looking a bit like a voodoo doll

Day Twenty-Seven: Health Webinar

I have attended a few webinars in the past but always because I had to. Tonight, I participated in one simply because I wanted to. Aviva Romm, M.D. is an herbalist/midwife/doctor that I follow online whose specialty and passion is women's health. I have been burned by many medical professionals in the past and have become very skeptical in my dealings with them. But, Dr. Romm seems to take a very natural, holistic approach to treatments and is an outspoken advocate who encourages and empowers her patients and followers to take their health into their own hands whenever possible. I wish there were more doctors like her. I would almost certainly seek out her practice if I lived in New York, but since I don't, I'm thankful that she has made herself and her many resources available online. Tonight's webinar was entitled "Women's Root Cause Medicine," and she talked about the five root causes of almost all illness, most of which we have the power to control to at least some degree. But, even those things which we don't have absolute control over, like genetics, don't point to the end of the world for our health. It was a wonderful webinar and gave me greater cause to appreciate Dr. Romm.