Today is day 11 of my stay at the Buchinger Clinic. I will be here until October 7, another 2 ½ weeks. I have some interesting treatments while I am here, and I’m learning something new every day.
One complaint I made to Dr. Buchinger was pain in my thumb and in my foot. He arranged 3 different types of treatment: acupuncture with Dr. Zhou, the Chinese medicine specialist; an appointment with a physiotherapist (much like our physical therapist in America); and cabbage wraps. Yes, I said cabbage wraps. They placed cabbage leaves over my thumb and my heel, then wrapped them with a type of bandage. I left the cabbage in place for an hour, and then removed it. Cabbage, applied directly to the skin has properties of healing. It is supposed to pull out the toxins and reduce inflamation. It seems like an old-fashioned remedy, but I will testify to the fact that it worked! After removing the cabbage leaves, both my hand and foot felt quite a bit better. Not 100%, but much better than before.
And then there was the acupuncture treatment. This was new to me. My mother had taken acupuncture when she was sick with cancer, for her pain. But I have never had a treatment before. The doctor assessed my symptoms, and then proceeded immediately to the treatment. I have to say that I didn’t watch – I didn’t really want to see the needles. He also did a procedure called “cupping” which uses cups that, when applied to skin, draw the skin up and in with a type of suction. Cups are placed along the same meridian lines as are used in acupuncture, and the treatment helps to warm and stimulate the “chi.” The doctor told me that I have weak energy, but that he could help. I will go back on Monday to have another treatment.
In addition to these treatments, I have been taking walks into the woods each day with a delightful person, Sister Irmgild Krallmann. What a wonderful addition to all my other treatments! She speaks English, but is much more comfortable in German. I have been working on my German skills, although she can speak to me much better than I can speak to her. The forest is very beautiful, especially this time of the year. It is like late summer here – the leaves are just beginning to turn. By October they should be bursting with autumn colors, and it will be a real sight. I hope that begins to happen before I leave.
All in all, I am having a great experience here. I am learning that there are many ways to consider your health and that if we stop and allow it, our bodies can heal themselves. They are pretty amazing machines!
Tags: accupuncture, alternative medicine, Buchinger, travel
Jerry wrote on September 29, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hello, glad to read your comments, sounds like a great experience. Will catch up when you get home, enjoy EVERY minute, you’re worth it!
Carol Nave wrote on September 19, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Yes, that is completely true. Sometimes we just need a chance to breathe. I hope everyone can find some way to retreat, even if it’s just take a day off with the phone turned off. It’s a good thing to do.
Matt Trudo wrote on September 19, 2009 at 11:48 am
It is nice to know that there are places out there that we can retreat when we need a break, both mental and physical. What a great experience