"When In Doubt, Put Ice, says my Chiropractor

Yes, docMike's blog of the Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinic says to "ice it" when you have pain due to swelling or inflammation; never hot compress since that will enhance further swelling.

I went to the clinic again this week due to my knee pain.  I presumed my problem recurred after I was adjusted by doc Storm a year ago.  Unfortunately, he is now attending to patients in a further clinic, but fortunately,  I finally got to meet and was attended to by the clinic owner himself, Dr. Michel Yves Tetrault, who graduated summa cum laude, Doctor of chiropractic in America. He also represents the chiropractic community in Asia. 

He welcomed me with a smile and as soon as I sat, he started a preliminary talk about causes of pain and how chiropractic can help.

"Oh, I'm a believer", I said, "and that includes my family, after all, your first patient was my husband who was relieved from an excruciating neck pain; I even have a blog about my first chiropractic experience".  In fact I had also referred relatives and friends from abroad and he recalled my BFF from Las Vegas whom he attended to personally.  

To digress a bit, I greeted this BFF on Facebook on her birthday:

"Happy birthday, BEE!  it's never to late to follow your passions and chase your dreams". And she replied:

"Thanks, but you know girl, at our age, we can't just escape some aches and pains", to which I replied:

"I have no physical aches and pains, I have a great doctor, a iridologist as well as a good chiropractor.  Why don't I bring you to them when you come visit, can't let my BFF suffer", I said. 

My husband and I brought her to both clinics and after a session she had to go back home so she was referred to a chiropractor in Las Vegas to continue adjustments.

Back to my knee pain...

"I had this problem last year after a fall which caused a big swell on my left knee.  I was adjusted by doc Storm and it never bothered me again until now", I told him. 

"Let's take a look, lie on your back", he said indicating the examination table.  He tested the flexibility of my knee, bending it in all directions; surprisingly I didn't feel any pain. He then went through the motions of checking and adjusting my back, my hips and my neck.  I felt more relaxed right after I heard that mild cracking sound as pressure was applied on my back, but the loudest crackle was when he turned my neck to the left.  

"Do you favor sleeping on your left side?", 

"Yes", I replied

"Try to balance sleeping on both sides", he said.  I understood what he meant since I heard most of the crackle coming from my left side during adjustment. 

As for my knee, he found nothing serious, not even medium serious but small serious that shouldn't be ignored for there is swelling of a pulled/strained ligament.  

"There is no quick fix, just apply ice for 20 minutes twice a day for two weeks; and read my blog about knee care", he said. 

I am already feeling the relief tonight, my second day, after my forth session of ice compress.  I use an ice bag, generously filled with ice that I lodge on top of my knee like a crown so my entire knee is fully covered. 

So, should you feel pain due to swelling or inflammation, doc Mike says:  hid "the first aide rule....use ice!".

My Version of Bruschetta

Today, my eldest niece and sister-in-law came for a visit. Instead of serving just toasted bread along with sun-dried tomato pesto pasta and roast beef, I thought I'd make bruschetta.  To be honest, I love bruschetta too and I felt like eating some. 

Here's how I did it.

Wash and cut a shallow cross on the bottom of each tomato, like in the picture below:

Boil water, remove from heat and put in the tomatoes.  Let it stay for a few minutes, then remove from water. 

Notice that the peel is starting to separate, peel when it's cold enough to handle. 

Cut the tomatoes into half; and use your thumb to push out the seeds.

Chop seeded tomatoes

Drain to remove excess tomato juice. 

Mix in  several leaves of chopped fresh basil and fresh tarragon  together with the following:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp salt

1 clove minced garlic

1/2 tsp ground pepper

Set aside, ok to put in refrigerator to chill. 

Slice fresh ciabatta into three, then cut each slice horizontally into two. 

Brush olive oil on one side and toast in oven until crunchy and brown on the edges. 

You can then spread over the tomato mixture or serve in a bowl and let guests spread the tomato mixture on their own ciabatta themselves.