tremendously. Brilliant woman, Dr. Tsui, came from China in 1986. She attended to Mao's son for a year, had to get special permission as she was not a communist, but a Christian. Medical doctors there study acupuncture with as much importance as regular medicine.

She doesn't practice medicine here, only acupuncture. She is wonderful and I admire her so much.

A couple experiences:

--a woman I worked with on some social activist projects had had long-running health problems. She went to NYC to a Chinese medical practitioner and for the first time, reported some success.

--a friend was employed by a couple different Chinese companies over a period of around eight years. Technology field. He quit going to American doctors because wherever he worked, they knew or could tell him what to take. And this was just his co-workers, not even a Chinese herbal medical doctor. I recall he was always amazed at how well it worked, and this includes for such mundane things as hangovers.

I'm really amazed at your story, LiberalEsto. That was discouraging to read what the orthopedic surgeon said--and then wonderful to find the success that you did! Fantastic!



Cher

I used to have gastric reflux. Since I eliminated Carrageenan from my diet, I no longer suffer from GERD. Carrageenan is used as a thickener in foods, so you need to check everything you buy. It's used in nondairy creamers, chocolate milk, cheap ice cream, cocoa mixes, and even some cereals. Here are links for further info:

http://www.notmilk.com/carageenan.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=carrageenan&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US fficial&client=firefox-a&source=hp&channel=np

I'm going to start checking labels for that.

I've cured mine with papaya enzymes. I have to continue to use them, but it's much better than other options.

In a recent statement to the National Organic Standards Board, Dr. Tobacman explained that carrageenan itself and its breakdown product both create dangerous inflammation, a condition that serves as the backbone of more than 100 human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and arteriosclerosis. Inflammation also fuels other life-threatening diseases, including cancer.

http://www.rodale.com/carrageenan

Thank you.
I don't think there's much of it in my diet, but I'll start checking labels.

I have not been able to do it for that last 9 months, due to a major debacle with an attempted career change earlier this year, which backfired. I was paying out of pocket for it, but can't afford it for now.

However, I always found it much more effective, for my needs, than regular western allopathic medicine.

I went to a clinic where the main doctor who owns it is both a naturopath, and an acupuncturist. She went to China to learn acupuncture and TCM (traditional Chinese Medicine).

I loved the treatments, and found them highly effective. When my finances improve, I will go back to using that kind of medicine again. They seem to have more effective treatments for those of us who are living with chronic (long-term) problems. I also like how Chinese medicine is focused towards creating wellness rather than just treating symptoms.

Good luck and good health to you.