Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

August 31, 2010

You don't need a maid. The dangers of DIY housework.


You don't need a maid. No-one needs a maid. I don't have one. You don't need one

Hmmmm, one may hear this sort of comment from friends and family back home, who have not experienced living in Asia with home help. I have been inspired me to write this. Last week our maid informed us that she has a 'swollen heart' and needed to rest (and visit the hospital again) so she has a month off.

Being so close to the Lebaran holiday, which is not dissimilar to Chinese new year in that the entire country all go to their village homes for a week it is next to impossible to get a temporary maid.

So up to us to do it ourselves, both of us work, so Sunday was a big housework day. The Mrs mopped the floor with gusto, perhaps too much gusto, by early evening she was complaining of a sore lower back.

Not surprising really.

Yesterday, she could not get out of bed. So I took her to the local hospital thinking we'd visit the local GP and get some anti-inflammatory's and painkillers till it got better.

We got that, but we also pretty much spent the day in the hospital, her in a wheel chair she needs help walking, sitting and simple things like dressing and going to the bathroom.

She also needed some X-rays, and the specialist said yep, she's actually done some real harm, her muscles are holding her spine rigidly straight, the natural curve of the spine is gone right now.

We also had to visit a physiotherapist and needs to return each day for a week and lots of bed rest.

I took the day off yesterday and fortunately her mother is coming over to visit today to assist.

Poor old driver has been given the job of mopping today...

I pray he doesnt bladdy well do the same thing to his own back.

So, there you go, we do need a maid! Tis no laughing matter!

August 24, 2009

Fish Spa Therapy


Ichthyotherapy is the practise of using fish for spa and theraputic massage. Being at the mall today we thought we'd try it out. 120,000rupiah each for 30 mins, pics to follow later.

The fish nibble the dead skin and also release an enzyme which promotes healthy cells to grow. The sensation is ticklish but relaxing. The fish act like pumice stone rubbing off the dead epidermal layer of the skin leaving behind baby smooth
Skin. The feeling of the fish biting is quite relaxing and acts like micro-acupunture.

The fish are of a type called Garra ruffa, apparently a type of carp from Turkey and Iran

January 27, 2009

Contact Sports: Fun or too dangerous ?


I was playing football (aussie style) over the weekend. Towards the end of the game, one of the fellows injured himself, I was nearby, didnt quite see what happened, I think he just fell funny.

However, he didn't get up, so wandered over to help, his foot was at a 90 degree angle sideways, the tibia bone pointing up. Ouch. It looked like one of those horrible worst sporting injuries emails or youtube videos. (out of respect for the guy we didnt take pictures of him.)

It did get me thinking though, over the years, I've seen a number of damaged knees, torn or stretched hamstrings, a team mate had his head caved in (needed 3 plates in it i think) a few dislocated shoulders, broken nose, and a few concussions.

Makes me wonder, is playing footy (or rugby) worth it? I enjoy the sport, I enjoy playing, I enjoy the contact. But makes me worry about getting a serious injury.

Perhaps I should just work on my golf or cricket instead....