Remember a few months ago when I told you about the problem I was having with my right wrist? I thought originally that I had carpal tunnel syndrome, but it turned out to be “calcification” in my wrist joint. Over the past months, I have come to learn more about what that means, and in short it is what is called osteoarthritis in the West. I have read that osteoarthritis is the most painful type of arthritis that you can have, and my experience certainly bears that out!
Well, a few months ago when I first started having the problem, the pain was severe, but I made lifestyle changes, and after about a month I found that I was able to manage the pain quite well. That lasted for about 2 months or so. Around the beginning of September, though, the pain was back, and with a fury! It seemed that no matter what I tried, the pain didn’t improve this time around.
I decided to try a hilot, which is a Philippine traditional massage therapist. I don’t know if it was the reason or not, but my pain is just about totally gone now. Last week, the hilot came to our house and treated me. I thought that she would massage my arm and hand area, but it turned out that she gave me a complete body massage. She said that it was important to treat the entire body, because certain points are connected with other points on the body.
When the hilot came to my house, the first thing that she did was to put her hand on my body and pray. It wasn’t what I expected, but I was willing to try anything, there was nothing to lose but some severe pain. After that, she spent probably close to 2 hours massaging me. Sometimes it was actually quite painful. Nene, the hilot, told me to let her know when she hit a spot that was painful, because it would give her a clue as to the problem.
I didn’t feel better immediately, but in only a few days, my pain was nearly entirely gone. Right now, I still have some minor pain from time to time during the day, but I am actually typing this right now on a keyboard, and am comfortable!
This was my second time to use a hilot since I lived here. About 6 or 7 years ago, I had a problem with my ankle, and had a hilot to the house to give me some treatment. It helped a bit, but was not a cure at that time.
Anyway, I have decided that I am going to start using a hilot regularly to see if I can keep the wrist problem at bay. It can’t hurt, the price of the massage was only P350, and she did it at my house, so I didn’t have to go to the hassle of traveling to see her.
Thank you Nene. I can’t say that it was totally from your massage, but something sure helped me!
Hi Bob – I enjoy any and all massages, hard, soft, traditional or otherwise. I get in as many as possible during each trip. My brother had a hilot that he used in Quezon, and though she was quite a bit more expensive (actually I think he just paid her more by choice), she was really good – when you could get her to show up 🙂 That was my first experience with massage there, and now I’m hooked.
My wife and I used the expertise of the "hilot" or massage therapist regularly * twice a month when we are In Marinduque. It is also home service and cost us only 300 pesos each, each time. Although we do not have aches or pains except for the aging process, we found the expense very much worth it . In addition, we are helping the local economy by employing local massage therapist. We also have home service for haircuts, manicure and pedicure on a regular basis. What a deal!
In US because of the expense, the word manicure and pedicure are not in my vocabulary…
Hi David B Katague- I agree, any kind of personal services like massage, manicure, etc. are really out of reach for most in America. For services like a Hilot, which cost me P350, I could be $100 or more in the States! 😯
Maybe I will have to give the hilot a try. My back has been giving me problems for a couple of weeks now, not so bad that it debilitates me but enough to be a nuisance.
Hi Bob, this article makes me smile. I tried the hilot once, and never again. I am so so pain intolerant – when she asked me if there was pain here, my first reaction was "YES". Then I realize that she won't move away from that spot until I said "NO". So after a few minutes of excruciating pain, I gritted my teeth and kept the tears at bay, I hollered "no more pain". Whew, then she moved away to another spot. I could hardly walk after that 2 hour session.
Hi Ellen- Ha ha… you got me laughing with that one! You are just like Feyma, she doesn't like Massage or Hilot because of the pain.
Hi BrSpiritus- If you want the phone number for the hilot that I used, just let me know!
Maayong Buntag Bob
About 3 years ago my wife and I were in the Philippines with our 5 month old daughter. Our daughter had been having problems with constipation for a couple months. My wife took our daughter to one of the doctors in the mountains. The doctor prayed and put some leaves in a nylon stocking that she tied around our daughter waist. I will admit that I was very skeptical but rather than argue I thought it could not hurt so I would just see what would happen. In less than a day my daughter had no more constipation problems 😯 and she had no more problems for a couple years. While I am not completely convinced I am no longer a skeptic. When I go to the RP in January I may need to try a hilot myself.
Hi! I myself is looking for an albularyo. I wonder if you can give me the name and number to this albularyo you’re referring to. Shirley
I am sorry, I have no suggestions to offer you. I also don’t know where you are located, so have no idea in what area you are searching.
Hi Bob – Glad to hear you've found a way to eliminate the pain (at least for now).
Though I've yet to develop osteoarthritis (family history says I could), as an occassional sufferer of gouty arthritis, I "feel your pain"! 😆
Changes to lifestyle and menu have helped me out, but doctors have told me that I'll have future recurrences no matter what. Wonder if a hilot could change that? 😯
Hi Larry- Maayong buntag pud. I believe that the person you took your daughter to was not a hilot, but an albularyo, which uses the traditional healing methods, natural things like leaves and such. A hilot does massage therapy, although more traditional. There are many different nuances of types of traditional doctors here, much different than we have in the States.
I'm glad to hear that the treatments helped your child!
Hi Paul- Yes, like you I've made lifestyle and dietary changes, but like you say you still will get occasional flare ups. Not much to lose in trying a hilot! Give it a shot!
To Eileen and others who suffers pain from the massage therapy: I have a feeling your hilot experience was done by a massager that uses a hard technique. Find a massager that is gentle and tell her or him the exact pressure that she or he can apply to your body with a little pain. Our first hilot was so bad, we dismissed her. We found another that applies the right pressure. So, if your first experience was painful, try another massager and informed her or him of the right pressure that is not painful. Once you experience a good hilot, I guarantee you will get addicted to it.
Hi David B. Katague. You mean me? Thanks! Now let me tell you my experience with shiatsu on how they s-t-r-e-e-e-e-t-c-h-e-d me. . . . . :))
Hi Bob and to all the others: I am getting massages since many years from a woman hilot. It works. The pain after the massage is not that much then before without massage… THANKS for the great article.
Hi David B. Katague- I totally agree with you! If the massage is too painful, it's also a good idea to tell the person, and they can adjust their technique a bit too.
Hi Ellen- Stretched you? Wow! Next time I see you, I'm expecting that you might be 4 or 5 inches taller! 😆
Hi Klaus- Thank you.
Hi Randy C- I also love having a massage – all kinds of massage! It is so relaxing, and just a little way to pamper myself!
Hi Bob – I think you said it best when you suggested massage therapy would only be a temporary solution. In fact too frequet massage will have the opposite effect you seek. I do have a suggestion that you may not like though. That would be a switch over to a more alkaline diet from an acidic one most of us have. This will be the very positive step for you to enjoy more pain relief for the rest of your life. Most of us prefer and enjoy acidic foods as they are the most fun and tasty while alkaline can be somewhat boring but sacrifice must be made for health reason from time to time. It doesn't mean a compromise on calories or volume just types of food. There are many books and info on this. Best of success.
Hi richard- I have been making dietary adjustments to help reduce the problem, but honestly, I don't really know much (anything) about this alkaline diet. I'll look into it and see what it is all about. Thanks for the tip!
Hi Bob and everyone!!!!mingaw na ko sa hilot…cant wait March 2009!!
Hi Berlin Austin- Wow, March 2009 you will be back in the Philippines? Is it Davao? I forgot if you are from Davao, but I am thinking you are. Let us know, Feyma and I would enjoy meeting you when you are here.
why don't you try the shiatsu? my wife's family knows a woman who does shiatsu massage and we are addicted to it. for 500 pesos for me, my wife, and my parents-in-law (that's 4 people) and abou 45-60 minutes shiatsu session per person is not expensive! here in spain, you cannot have that kind of service! plus she does the session in my parent´s-in-law's house!
Hi sebastian- Actually, I have shiatsu massages all the time! At least several every month. Very enjoyable!
Hi Sir Bob! Got my hilot today as well at my back since I am coughing. Hilot always help me to make my cough away…hahaha!
I'll have to try a hilot when I return!
Hi Bob – P360 for a 2 hour massage, wow! The cost here in the states would be closer to $200 a in home visit and 2 hour massage, maybe $300.
I was excited reading your post because perhaps the hilot experience help ease your pain but then you mentioned it did not seem to make the pain of your ankle go away and then I was sad.
I have heel pain, comes and goes. It is called planter fasciitis and it makes walking difficult. I look forward to seeing if hilot helps. What was the problem with your ankle?
Hi cidz- Glad to hear that you were able to get some help from the hilot! Nice to hear from you.
Hi Dan Mihaliak- Yeah! Give one a try and see if you get some relief from whatever aches and pains might affect you.
Hi Mike McMahon- I'm not sure what the problem with my ankle was, I think it was just sprained. That was years ago, and I haven't been having any ongoing problems with it.
Bob – considering you said you think it was sprained most likely that was the problem. I thought the same thing but never could figure out when I sprained it. I have suffered from it 3 times so far, after the 2nd time I finally decided to do some research to find what it was. Pain was the worst when waking up, hopping around like a very old person. If this were to happen to both ankles I no doubt would have understood Tim Conway much more.
The best way to get rid of the pain is this. Stretch the ankle a lot, you can find what types to do easily on the Internet. My pain feels like someone took a hammer to the back of the heel but in truth the problem is with a swollen ligament. Stretching it does amazing things. If this happens again and the problem is the same I hope this helps you.
Savor the birdies!
Mike
Hi Mike McMahon- Indeed, that sounds quite painful! I'm glad that you have found some things to help relieve the pain!
Bob,
Maybe the pain from the massage masked the pain in your wrist. Just Joking.
Something about massages. I know in the past you talked about a haircut in the Philippines and the way they give a massage too.
Well I have used the same barber since I moved here. He is at Rocky's in Giasano Mall. The first time he massaged my head, neck and shoulders a bit. Next time it included the back. Over time it would be my arms and fingers.
One time he asked where in Davao we lived and when I told him, he mentioned he has a barbershop on JP Laurel across the street from the end of Bacaca Road and he is there on Thursdays.
Elena and I went one night there. I noticed on the door he only charges 25 pesos, not like the 120 at Rocky's. I figured I would give him the usual nice tip but I will save some money anyway.
He always remembers how I like my hair cut and after he started the massage. Head, neck, back, arms, fingers. Then he used some lotion and pulled my sleeves up and lotion massaged my arms and fingers again.
I joked about removing my shirt and he said that would be better but I told him that is ok.
The haircut took about 15 minutes but the massage lasted about 20 minutes to a half hour. As we left I felt so relaxed I thought I was floating.
It was not a medicinal massage, but it was great.
Wow this one got a lot of attention. Is this related to reflexology my girl has suggested it.
Hi Bruce- Yeah, I used to go to Rocky's, but at the SM Branch. They are very expensive. I go to a barber shop now that is every bit as good, and the haircut is P35. I usually give a P20 tip, so P55 for a good cut, it's a bargain. For massage, I like to go to Humberto's Hotel most of the time. It is P250 (or is it 200, I forgot) for a 1 1/2 hour massage. The hilot is a different thing all together.
Hi Rusty- Reflexology is more of a western massage, I believe. But, they are certainly related to each other! If you haven't had a massage here, go give it a try! I am sure you will find it, and I feel that it has health benefits too. At least that's a good way to justify it! 😆
Hi! Is the hilot still around? May I please have her number? Have some pain in my joints… hope this will help!
Have a nice day bob! May I know nene contct number? Thank u.
God bless
I am sorry, I no longer have her contact number.
Ok thank you bob