![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Being pregnant, I have been interfacing with the medical system much more than usual, albeit mostly in its alternative forms, so I thought now might be a good time to talk about caring for your own health inexpensively at home.
If there’s one thing professional medical care is not, it’s inexpensive. My husband and I have spent more than twice our typical annual budget on this pregnancy in the last seven months (admittedly, our annual budget is usually between $6,000 and $12,000, but still). So far, the crummy insurance we bought “just in case” before trying for a baby has covered one $100 test—less than one premium payment. Yay.
Griping aside, if you have any major health issues, lingering chronic issues, or need for corrective procedures and still have some money and/or decent insurance, now might be a good time to get those things squared away. There are definitely certain things (such as, say, cataract surgery) that are difficult to do better at home!
For what it’s worth, I think that doctors of osteopathy who do hands-on osteopathic manipulation are the bees’ knees, and if you have any persistent musculoskeletal issues it is worth looking for one near you and coughing up the painful amount of money it will probably cost. My father-in-law is a manipulating osteopath, and I had never encountered it prior to meeting my husband, but I have found it superior to massage, physical therapy, chiropractic, yoga, reiki, and any other healing technique I’ve tried when it comes to addressing old injuries and chronic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. There are osteopaths who do not do hands-on manipulation and are therefore no more appealing to me than most MDs (in other words, not very), so you have to do your due diligence, and of course your mileage may vary, but I thought I’d throw it out there.
I also think that if you have mysterious symptoms and a general lack of vitality, it can be worth seeing a naturopath or endocrinologist to diagnose and treat any potential hormonal problems. Do not fool yourself—don’t waste money on this if you are eating coffee and donuts for breakfast and watching television until one in the morning while fighting with your spouse. But if you are genuinely living and eating clean and still feel vaguely crummy all the time, hormonal issues, gut dysbiosis, nutritional deficiencies, and autoimmune conditions can be worth ruling out. These are annoyingly trendy diagnoses, I know, but I do see more and more people struggling with these sorts of problems. You can also do a lot of testing yourself (for example, through everlywell.com) and confirm or rule out certain issues that way. The tests usually aren’t cheap, but may be cheaper/more convenient than a doctor. Some labs or hospitals will also let you get certain tests, blood panels, etc. without a physician’s order. Elimination diets are free and can help you discover if particular foods are problematic for you.
If you do not have any issues requiring professional treatment or can’t afford such treatment, there are many minor and more serious aspects of health that can be addressed usefully and cheaply at home.
Of course, I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this post should be construed as medical advice.
Acute, minor illnesses and injuries have long been treated effectively at home, often with fewer side effects and less expense than over-the-counter commercial remedies or antibiotics (which, of course, do have their place in treating more serious infections). Herbal medicine is usually my go-to for this sort of thing.
You really need to do your research and take into account the constitution and circumstances of the person with the issue before using herbal medicine, but I have a few common herbs that I tend to keep on hand. For colds and upper respiratory infections, I like elderberry, echinacea, garlic, thyme, and ginger. I also like mushrooms such as reishi and chaga for immune support. For bleeding or infected wounds, yarrow is the first thing I grab. I might also use comfrey for certain wounds, and arnica for aches, bruises, and sprains. Calendula is my first choice for skin salves. I’ll typically use lavender for mild skin irritation or cleaning/disinfecting, as well as for stress or mild insomnia. I’ll also use chamomile or ashwagandha for sleep and stress, as well as lemon balm (which has uplifting properties as well). Tulsi (holy basil) is another herb that I love for reducing stress and generally lifting mood. I’ll reach for ginger or possibly ginseng if I need something stimulating/energizing or I’m suffering from cold weather. Turmeric is great for inflammation. Pain can be challenging to treat safely and effectively with herbal medicine—California poppy can be quite helpful, especially for nerve pain and pain accompanied by anxiety; opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and cannabis have a long history of use, but cannot be recommended for obvious reasons. For muscle soreness or arthritic pain, sometimes I will use heating/stimulating/blood-moving herbs (such as peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger, or even cayenne) applied topically; these can have a painkilling effect as well as promoting circulation and therefore healing, although you should be cautious about skin reactions.
If you are interested in herbal medicine, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog offers a free, basic herbal medicine-making mini course which I think is quite good. It will get you started with basic infusions, decoctions, tinctures, etc.:
https://www.medicinelodgeranch.com/products/free-herbal-medicine-making-mini-course
For chronic conditions, herbal medicine (including Western herbal medicine, TCM, Ayurveda, curanderismo, etc.) can also be helpful, as can many treatment modalities such as osteopathy, chiropractic, massage, physical or occupational therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, myofascial release, physical yoga, Pilates, reiki, etc. I tend to default to the latter group of bodywork treatments for issues with the musculoskeletal system and the former for most other bodily/organ systems, although there is quite a bit of crossover. You’ll have to look into this on a case-by-case basis, as there are too many possibilities to discuss.
If you have a partner or family member living with you, it can be very helpful if each of you learns a physical treatment modality or two, as well as at least one of you learning a system of herbal medicine, as it can be difficult to work on some parts of your own body.
There are, however, ways to maintain and restore health to your own body. Stretching, yoga, Pilates, calisthenics, physical therapy exercises, or similar practices can help a great deal. So can the judicious use of therapy balls, foam rollers, resistance bands, gua sha scrapers, etc. I have a set of Jill Miller’s Yoga Tune-Up balls that I’ve used for years and really like. My mom had plantar fasciitis a few years ago and was being prescribed hundreds of dollars worth of orthotics and possible surgery. With about five minutes per day of rolling her feet on my tune-up balls in particular ways for a couple of weeks, as well as slowly learning to go barefoot (the pain made this challenging), she completely eliminated her symptoms and they have not recurred in the intervening years. Never assume that a doctor has exhausted all the options before prescribing surgery, especially for a biomechanical issue. If I had a dollar for everyone I know who was cured with a couple weeks of physical therapy after being told they needed surgery, I’d have at least fifteen bucks.
Figuring out what actually needs addressing is often the hardest part. If you have a diagnosis (or even a distinctive symptom), you can simply search for exercises to address it and then do them. If you do not have a diagnosis or just want to restore/maintain robust physical function, you can find a generalist book or program (I like Kelly Starrett’s Becoming A Supple Leopard, despite the goofy title), find out where your deficiencies are, and address them over time.
Of course, if your nutrition and physical activities in general are working against you, all the herbal medicine and foam-rolling in the world is going to be lipstick on a pig. (I ate Nutella with a spoon from the jar today; I’m not judging you. But I am telling you that adding cinnamon to your diet to help regulate blood sugar will work better if you don’t eat straight Nutella from jars.)
I would also recommend learning basic first aid, CPR, and preferably wilderness first aid/first aid for austere environments.
And as a final note: if you are marinating in a chemical stew, your health will in all probability eventually suffer in difficult-to-pinpoint ways. Window cleaner, bathroom cleaner, laundry and dish detergent, furniture polish, shampoo and body wash, bug killers, cosmetics, deodorant—if you buy “normal” stuff, it’s probably poisoning you. Try replacing it with hot water and then, if that really doesn’t work, vinegar, baking soda, or (the least desirable and most expensive) a simple, natural/organic commercial version.
If there’s one thing professional medical care is not, it’s inexpensive. My husband and I have spent more than twice our typical annual budget on this pregnancy in the last seven months (admittedly, our annual budget is usually between $6,000 and $12,000, but still). So far, the crummy insurance we bought “just in case” before trying for a baby has covered one $100 test—less than one premium payment. Yay.
Griping aside, if you have any major health issues, lingering chronic issues, or need for corrective procedures and still have some money and/or decent insurance, now might be a good time to get those things squared away. There are definitely certain things (such as, say, cataract surgery) that are difficult to do better at home!
For what it’s worth, I think that doctors of osteopathy who do hands-on osteopathic manipulation are the bees’ knees, and if you have any persistent musculoskeletal issues it is worth looking for one near you and coughing up the painful amount of money it will probably cost. My father-in-law is a manipulating osteopath, and I had never encountered it prior to meeting my husband, but I have found it superior to massage, physical therapy, chiropractic, yoga, reiki, and any other healing technique I’ve tried when it comes to addressing old injuries and chronic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. There are osteopaths who do not do hands-on manipulation and are therefore no more appealing to me than most MDs (in other words, not very), so you have to do your due diligence, and of course your mileage may vary, but I thought I’d throw it out there.
I also think that if you have mysterious symptoms and a general lack of vitality, it can be worth seeing a naturopath or endocrinologist to diagnose and treat any potential hormonal problems. Do not fool yourself—don’t waste money on this if you are eating coffee and donuts for breakfast and watching television until one in the morning while fighting with your spouse. But if you are genuinely living and eating clean and still feel vaguely crummy all the time, hormonal issues, gut dysbiosis, nutritional deficiencies, and autoimmune conditions can be worth ruling out. These are annoyingly trendy diagnoses, I know, but I do see more and more people struggling with these sorts of problems. You can also do a lot of testing yourself (for example, through everlywell.com) and confirm or rule out certain issues that way. The tests usually aren’t cheap, but may be cheaper/more convenient than a doctor. Some labs or hospitals will also let you get certain tests, blood panels, etc. without a physician’s order. Elimination diets are free and can help you discover if particular foods are problematic for you.
If you do not have any issues requiring professional treatment or can’t afford such treatment, there are many minor and more serious aspects of health that can be addressed usefully and cheaply at home.
Of course, I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this post should be construed as medical advice.
Acute, minor illnesses and injuries have long been treated effectively at home, often with fewer side effects and less expense than over-the-counter commercial remedies or antibiotics (which, of course, do have their place in treating more serious infections). Herbal medicine is usually my go-to for this sort of thing.
You really need to do your research and take into account the constitution and circumstances of the person with the issue before using herbal medicine, but I have a few common herbs that I tend to keep on hand. For colds and upper respiratory infections, I like elderberry, echinacea, garlic, thyme, and ginger. I also like mushrooms such as reishi and chaga for immune support. For bleeding or infected wounds, yarrow is the first thing I grab. I might also use comfrey for certain wounds, and arnica for aches, bruises, and sprains. Calendula is my first choice for skin salves. I’ll typically use lavender for mild skin irritation or cleaning/disinfecting, as well as for stress or mild insomnia. I’ll also use chamomile or ashwagandha for sleep and stress, as well as lemon balm (which has uplifting properties as well). Tulsi (holy basil) is another herb that I love for reducing stress and generally lifting mood. I’ll reach for ginger or possibly ginseng if I need something stimulating/energizing or I’m suffering from cold weather. Turmeric is great for inflammation. Pain can be challenging to treat safely and effectively with herbal medicine—California poppy can be quite helpful, especially for nerve pain and pain accompanied by anxiety; opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and cannabis have a long history of use, but cannot be recommended for obvious reasons. For muscle soreness or arthritic pain, sometimes I will use heating/stimulating/blood-moving herbs (such as peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger, or even cayenne) applied topically; these can have a painkilling effect as well as promoting circulation and therefore healing, although you should be cautious about skin reactions.
If you are interested in herbal medicine, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog offers a free, basic herbal medicine-making mini course which I think is quite good. It will get you started with basic infusions, decoctions, tinctures, etc.:
https://www.medicinelodgeranch.com/products/free-herbal-medicine-making-mini-course
For chronic conditions, herbal medicine (including Western herbal medicine, TCM, Ayurveda, curanderismo, etc.) can also be helpful, as can many treatment modalities such as osteopathy, chiropractic, massage, physical or occupational therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, myofascial release, physical yoga, Pilates, reiki, etc. I tend to default to the latter group of bodywork treatments for issues with the musculoskeletal system and the former for most other bodily/organ systems, although there is quite a bit of crossover. You’ll have to look into this on a case-by-case basis, as there are too many possibilities to discuss.
If you have a partner or family member living with you, it can be very helpful if each of you learns a physical treatment modality or two, as well as at least one of you learning a system of herbal medicine, as it can be difficult to work on some parts of your own body.
There are, however, ways to maintain and restore health to your own body. Stretching, yoga, Pilates, calisthenics, physical therapy exercises, or similar practices can help a great deal. So can the judicious use of therapy balls, foam rollers, resistance bands, gua sha scrapers, etc. I have a set of Jill Miller’s Yoga Tune-Up balls that I’ve used for years and really like. My mom had plantar fasciitis a few years ago and was being prescribed hundreds of dollars worth of orthotics and possible surgery. With about five minutes per day of rolling her feet on my tune-up balls in particular ways for a couple of weeks, as well as slowly learning to go barefoot (the pain made this challenging), she completely eliminated her symptoms and they have not recurred in the intervening years. Never assume that a doctor has exhausted all the options before prescribing surgery, especially for a biomechanical issue. If I had a dollar for everyone I know who was cured with a couple weeks of physical therapy after being told they needed surgery, I’d have at least fifteen bucks.
Figuring out what actually needs addressing is often the hardest part. If you have a diagnosis (or even a distinctive symptom), you can simply search for exercises to address it and then do them. If you do not have a diagnosis or just want to restore/maintain robust physical function, you can find a generalist book or program (I like Kelly Starrett’s Becoming A Supple Leopard, despite the goofy title), find out where your deficiencies are, and address them over time.
Of course, if your nutrition and physical activities in general are working against you, all the herbal medicine and foam-rolling in the world is going to be lipstick on a pig. (I ate Nutella with a spoon from the jar today; I’m not judging you. But I am telling you that adding cinnamon to your diet to help regulate blood sugar will work better if you don’t eat straight Nutella from jars.)
I would also recommend learning basic first aid, CPR, and preferably wilderness first aid/first aid for austere environments.
And as a final note: if you are marinating in a chemical stew, your health will in all probability eventually suffer in difficult-to-pinpoint ways. Window cleaner, bathroom cleaner, laundry and dish detergent, furniture polish, shampoo and body wash, bug killers, cosmetics, deodorant—if you buy “normal” stuff, it’s probably poisoning you. Try replacing it with hot water and then, if that really doesn’t work, vinegar, baking soda, or (the least desirable and most expensive) a simple, natural/organic commercial version.
