29th February 2024
I haven't discussed my health condition on this platform yet, and although I aim to lead a healthy lifestyle and such, I recently took it for granted. During the past holidays, I overindulged in unhealthy habits, such as eating whatever food I wanted. I continued consuming gluten-containing food even though I knew I was intolerant to it. Another reason was I wanted to see my limit, but I guess I've reached the limit.
I was concerned about the unpleasant symptoms I had been experiencing for more than a few weeks, so I looked into it and learned that if I keep consuming gluten-containing food, I could have celiac disease and damage to the linings of my small intestine and stomach. The body won't be able to absorb the nutrients from the food I eat if this occurs, which I assume is already the case. Since the small intestine is known to be the organ responsible for absorbing nutrients from food, injury to it can result in vitamin deficiencies as well as other problems. It takes time to restore the damage in case I have, thus, I need a zero-gluten diet.
Alongside with digestive issue, my lower back pain has remained persistent for six months now. I thought doing aerobic exercises, such as hiking and some meditation would help get rid of it. But it seems not enough and needs further treatment.
I was put into a situation where I needed to reflect again and consider listening to my body from now on, especially since I am in my midlife. Thus, health is now my top priority more than anything else. Otherwise, my plans will be affected, and I might not be able to do my goals if I don't act too soon.
I went to a hospital for a check-up for the first time during my whole stay in Hong Kong. I like to stay away from hospitals as much as possible, thus I typically rely on researching symptoms to make a diagnosis of my own and discover solutions on my own without seeing a doctor. I just hate taking medicines prescribed by doctors.
However, self-treatment and meditation didn't seem to work, so I decided to have an X-ray to check if there was a serious condition in my back and what caused its pain.
Despite the discomfort I'm experiencing, the X-ray results and the doctor's diagnosis indicate that I don't have any serious back problems. Since I wasn't happy with the results, I made the decision to consult a chiropractor which I've planned since last year.
My First Chiropractic Therapy
Chiro clinics here are usually open on weekdays and Saturdays, so I find it hard to make an appointment. It seemed as though my plan was granted when my boss's family had a two-day vacation in China on the 26th and 27th of February. I took the opportunity to see a Chiropractor for the very first time.
There are good Chiro clinics in Hong Kong. Those on top are undoubtedly worth more than thousands of HK dollars per session. Among all the Chiropractors, I chose Dr. Diego Rothschild of Wanchai Chiropractor Clinic because of good reviews about him with less expensive fees.
My appointment was at four in the afternoon, I guess I was the last patient. As I waited my turn, I snapped some pictures of wall posters about Chiro treatment and body trigger points. I managed to figure out where the trigger points are. Applying pressure to certain trigger sites can help reduce discomfort when experiencing it. At least, that's what I am certain.
I admit that I was a little anxious when the doctor called me in because I had never had chiropractic therapy before. Despite having seen many videos on YouTube and understanding the process, as well as having read 
We began the appointment with a Q&A regarding my medical history and pains. I then informed him of my previous diagnoses and x-rays, and he gave me new information about pain-related topics. He performed a few tests to evaluate my balance and for any nerve damage before beginning manual therapy, particularly in my arms as that was my primary worry since 2021.
The moment he started cracking my bones, I felt satisfaction. My spine and joints made audible cracking sounds that I could truly hear. Every crack brought a sense of relief, and I told myself, "Sht..I am finally feeling and hearing it." I became fond of watching Chiro therapy on YT, and that experience was truly worth trying.
In the end, the Chiro clarified that the primary cause of my discomfort is Fibromyalgia, and as such, I require ongoing care to address this problem. As he mentioned, it can also be linked to the pain in my arms. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2013 or 2014, then followed by TMJ. My doctor in the Philippines advised me not to lift heavy objects, but since I am a caregiver, I didn't even heed his advice. And now that my body is in discomfort, I must listen to it before things get worse.
I received electrotherapy or interferential current therapy after receiving manual chiropractic therapy, with the help of female staff. This was done to ease the tight muscles in the areas of my body that usually hurt. I experienced a 15-minute ICT, during which I felt a current flow through my back. Though not painful, it was relaxing, and I found myself wanting to nap. It was the final phase of my treatment.
I wish I had someone with me who could take photos of the manual therapy session. Although I brought my tripod because I was supposed to take videos, I became hesitant when I saw the doctor's expression while taking a few photos inside his clinic. He doesn't appear to want his treatment to be filmed, based on the fact that, unlike other Chiros, he doesn't have a YouTube account. I had intended to see the doctor after the electrotherapy to get a selfie with him, but when I left the treatment area, he was in another room. It was a little saddening. However, I was instructed to return for additional care. That also means I have to take out more money from my wallet, lol.
The X-ray and Chiropractic therapy cost me HK$1060 or more than Php7, 000. It truly is expensive to get sick in a foreign land, so I need to be healthy all the time. This therapy made me think that, in order to get rid of my body pain, I need to stop doing repetitive works that trigger the pain. It made me think, "Should I change my job?"
This leaves me with a difficult choice: give up on my intention to study in a school here in HK in order to renew my expired license, which is scheduled for next month, or stick with this vocation even if it would cause me additional pain.
Life is sometimes annoying like body pains, right. However, we don't learn our lessons until we suffer more pain.
Thanks for your time.
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Jane is a Filipina wanderer in a foreign land who finds comfort in nature and freedom in writing. She loves watching raw picturesque landscapes, listening to the symphony of nature, breathing in drops of sunshine, walking through scenic trails and cityscapes, tasting new culinary flavors, capturing pretty little things, venturing into hidden gems, and dancing with the flow of life.
Her new experiences, adventures, challenges, lessons, small successes, and joys are colorful paints that fill up her canvas of life. She hopes to see it beautifully painted while she can.
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