This is Knee-t

Most people would agree that I am pretty traditional when it comes to medical care.  I am not into anything weird.  I actually roll my eyes when people start talking about going to a chiropracter and I am openly antagonistic toward, and challenge those who promote any new-age remedies. 

So when I came home from skiing with a messed up left knee I was preparing for the worst.  I had actually injured my right knee about 13 years ago doing the same thing, falling while skiing.  I remember thirteen years ago after limping around with a knee brace for about a month I finally went to a doctor.  We were on the Kaiser Permanente program then so I went in to see what ever doctor was available.  It was some new doctor from India.  I could hardly understand him.  I think we communicated through gestures.  He prescribed some steroids for my knee.  I was thinking he was crazy.  Like a pill would do the trick...Then my knee got better.  Of course I gained thirty pounds,  but at least I didn't limp when I was waddling around.  I had a minicus tear.  I haven't really had problems with it since but I have always been nervous about reinjuring it so I kind of always protected it when I would ski.  I guess that is how I injured my left knee.

I really didn't want to go on another steroid and gain thirty pounds.  I have had way too many weight issues to even think about going down that path again.  But I knew the other alternative for someone of my advanced age was going to be surgery.  That did not seem like a very good option either.  I bought three knee braces to try to find the one to give me the best support.  I was taking a lot of ibuprofin to combat the pain and swelling.  I had been in pain for about ten days when I was talking with  a friend last Friday.  The pain and the popping in my knee were getting so bad that I did not think I could wait much longer before I went to a doctor.   She told me about a method her daughter had taught her to end some pain and swelling in her knee while  she was on vacation  a couple of years ago.  She had wrenched her knee so badly she could not walk. 

I tried the method and within three days my knee was totally pain free. I was off iburofin and had taken off the knee brace.  I actually went on a two mile walk with a friend of mine yesterday.  This is what I did.  I put one hand on my knee where it was hurting, applying a little pressure with my finger tips.  I took the other hand and patted the top of my head while I was inhaling.  I then patted my upper chest while exhaling in a pattern.  I repeated this process about 5 or 6 times, about 5 or 6 times during the day for about 3 days.  each day I got progressively better.  I didn't chant any magic words.  As a matter of fact I was probably thinking to myself on the first day," I look really dumb, I am sure this isn't going to work."  So no one can call this faith healing.  My other thought was, " Am I so proud that I can't give this a try?  It is not costing me anything except my pride." 

I have asked some of my friends with  medical backgrounds why this would work.  The conclusion was it must be something similar to accupuncture, but with out the needles.  I would love to know how this really works.  Now if I can do something about the shin splints I am getting from walking so much.