April 7 2008

So much for New Year's Resolutions! Well, it's been a very busy year so far with some challenges. I'll add this story to the blog so you'll know why I haven't posted any hikes in the last 6 months. Good news is, I'm doing well now, walking the pretty strenuous hills near my home and looking forward to Maine!

This past year, I have experienced first hand just how differently allopathic doctors and more holistically oriented physicians and health providers approach a health issue. Sometimes a combination of the two can be the best approach. Having an accurate diagnosis of your problem is very important. But I’ve been disappointed at how fast allopathic docs prescribe drugs that primarily mask a problem, rather than addressing the underlying cause. And I’ve been delighted at how more “alternative” practitioners and docs have helped me to heal. Here are two great examples.

Healing a Chronic Sore Throat

Following some dental surgery last summer, I developed a one-sided sore throat that lasted a week, then kept recurring for several months. Finally, I went to an ear, nose and throat specialist to allay my anxiety that I might have a serious problem. He could see no ulcers or sores so he prescribed a drug for acid reflux disease, called a proton-pump inhibitor, which lowers gastric acid secretion. These drugs have common side effects, such as headache and nausea. Plus people who take a proton-pump inhibitor for a year or longer are more susceptible to hip fracture. Gastric acid suppression also reduces the body’s ability to kill off harmful bacteria in the gut. I reluctantly agreed to take the medicine. After two months on the drug, I had no improvement. I sought out an MD with a specialty in environmental medicine. She prescribed a tincture of myrrh, which is anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory and is often prescribed as a mouthwash for sores in the mouth or for gingivitis. Two drops in the back of my throat and the soreness disappeared. Three months later, it is still gone.

Finding a Healthier Path to Heal Sciatica

In October, I developed pain in my right knee that wouldn’t quit. I stopped exercising for 6 weeks, then began to swim and train indoors. But whenever I tried to walk any distance, my whole leg would cramp up. Frustrated after four months, I went to an orthopedist. After x-rays of my spine, he diagnosed sciatica and offered me an anti-seizure drug, Neurontin, commonly prescribed to treat nerve pain. Since my discomfort was only sporadic, I declined, but sought out a chiropractor with a decompression machine which gently stretches the spine and helps to create space between the vertebrae, releasing pressure on the nerve. After a couple of sessions, I could walk for 45 minutes without discomfort in the leg.

I also began doing specific exercises, with the help of my chiropractor and a yoga therapist, to strengthen the musclesthat support my back and knees. In addition, I increased my intake of fish oil and curcumin to reduce inflammation. Though the orthopedist said his drug was very safe, with minimal side effects (just drowsiness and the tendency to fall asleep!) I disagree. If I’d taken the drug and eliminated the pain, I may never have taken the necessary steps to actually improve my health and protect my spine from further damage.

Taking charge of our own health takes a pioneering spirit. It takes the courage to turn away from the “simple” drug solutions so prevalent in our current way of thinking about medical problems. But there is a rich diversity available to us if we’re willing to seek out natural, alternative methods. Practitioners of these methods respect the natural healing power of the body and seek to understand and deal with the source of the problem rather than merely treat the symptoms.

January 1 2008

This blog hasn't been functioning because the link with blogspot changed. Now it is---but I have no idea how many people ever view these posts. If you do come here, you can help me out by posting a comment below this post.

I'll just share three of my Walk for all Seasons New Year's Resolutions since it's New Years's Day

---to allocate more time to create my (supposedly) monthly newsletter, to give myself an extra DAY to copy edit it, since no matter how many times I go over it, I still find errors after mailing it!

to keep this blog updated

to switch hosting services so that I can add some more features...like video of tours, stretches

to post more informative content in Maggie's Log

to revamp the Walkers Rally for 2009

Any suggestions -- please post a comment here!

Happy New Year to everyone!

Switzerland 2007 and 2008

I invite any of my Switzerland particpants to post a comment to this Post ---about your experiences there this year.

We really had fantastic weather in August. And our guide Fiona was great. At first, she had fallen and injured herself and we had to wait a few days for her to come with us, but we went to Lucern for a day and took a walk on the Romantik Way with Peter and friends, which was fine, but Fiona can really give lots of commentary even on the bus rides so it's great to have her with us.

The tour for 2008 is about half full as of Jan 1.

Philadelphia Walkers Rally

We had a great time in Philadelphia, with clear skies and record breaking warm temperatures.
27 particpants arrived on Sunday and gathered for a reception and dinner at the Omni at Independence Park.

Spent the next four days exploring the city, with walking tours of Old City, Society Hill and Washington Square Park, a creepy tour of Eastern State Penitentiary, the Constitution Center, etc.

Though I've been to PHilly many times, there is always something new to see. I especially enjoyed the Post Rally Tour --which included a Trolley Mural Arts Tour in West Philly and the "Taste of Philly Food Tour" at Reading Terminal Market. We sampled Bassett's Ice cream, Scrapple, Pretzels and Snapper Soup. But I have to tell you , the Crepes in the RTM are the best! I had chicken with spinach, feta and pesto... yum!

I also announced that there will not be an official "Rally" for 2008 as I blend the Rally into my other tour offerings. Check out my website for my three tour offerings for 2008.

Maggie

8 months later.....

Well, I guess my new job with Stop Aging Now really drew my attention away from the site. I forgot all about keeping up with this Blog. Makes me wonder if anyone else is really looking at it! (If you are, please post a comment saying so!)

So let's catch up on the last 8 months....

First of all, I became a grandmother on July 19th, to Zoe. I was present for (I cut the umbilical cord on command from the docs!) I am thrilled to experience this next stage in my life and enjoying the way a first grandchild brings the extended family closer together again.

I just got back from a great gathering of some of the Switzerland folks. We did a short hike locally and met for brunch at Panera's in Bethlehem, PA. Everyone is very excited about the trip and we've decided to rent a van to get all the locals to Newark International and back.

As for hikes and walks....

I lead the spring hikes again for NCC. We did some of the same and I added a new one near Pipersville PA-- though the directions proved to be hazardous if you wanted to actually GET there. Most made it (i hope) and the hike is very nice with variety in terrain and takes about an hour.

I taught a racewalking clinic for about 6 weeks or so to about 4-6 people. It was an interesting challenge. Once I get beyond teaching the basic technique and stretches and warm-ups, I wasn't quite sure how to run subsequent meet ups and make it interesting. I was not charging though so it was experimental. It was good to have a new challenge and the fast walking and especially interval training does improve fitness and calorie burn. But I knew I wasn't training enough in between-- not as much as my participants -- several of whom were hard for me to keep up with!

I spent a day in Philly following up on plans for the Fall Walkers Rally and ran into Ben Franklin, one of our special guests for the occasion. I also planned the Post Rally Tour, which is focused on Murals and the Reading Terminal Market (more on the site)

With the birth of my grandchild, I am taking something of break from teaching at the Community College. The only fall class I am offering is the Haunted House dinner and walk and that is already half full. I am considering my Spring agenda for NCC -- probably just a two walk/hike/brunches or something of that nature. As I will be babysitting weekday mornings for a year, I've decided to keep my weekend mornings to myself. :-)

I spent a week in Maine, in the Kennybunkport area and decided it would be a great place for SPRING BREAK for Women, so look for information on that for Spring. Plus I may offer the Hyde Park trip again, since it was so wonderful. And I'm still working on getting Bike, Hike and Knit in Jim Thorpe off the ground. My international trip is going to be in England or Wales this year. Details will be posted on the site in the Late Fall.

Look for my writing and recipes on http://www.stopagingnow/ and in Quick and Simple Magazine, plus Weightwatchers.com. And I've resumed writing for Lehigh Valley Style -- because I missed the local beat!

Hikes with NCC this Spring

I'm sorry I haven't brought my camera for any of the spring hikes: we did Mariton, Lehigh Gap and Ralph Stover State Park so far. This Saturday we will do the Musconetcong Gorge Hike. The foliage is probably just about right for this hike now. (it's not worth going there in the fall when all the leaves are down, trust me.)

I leave for Hyde Park on Sunday-- with 14 women on "Spring Break for Women" -- will definitely post some photos for that trip here!

Enjoy the spring and the flowering trees this week!