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What to do about back pain
Dr Warwick Selvey, a
chiropractor with 48 years of experience in his native Australia, was PCEC’s
guest speaker for March 2nd.
What to do about back pain? This was the message from Dr.
Warwick Selvey to the Pattaya City Expats Club at their Sunday, March 2,
meeting. He retired from chiropractic after 48 years of full time practice
in Australia. In addition to his long medical career, he is also a former
Olympic athlete who competed in the shot put and discus events. Visit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Selvey for more on his athletic
accomplishments. Warwick is also an avid singer and is currently working
with fellow PCEC member Roger Fox to form a barbershop quartet singing
group. He has been enjoying retired life in Pattaya for the last nine
months.
Warwick demonstrates exercises
to increase their fitness and flexibility, & help to ward off the maladies
of old age.
Warwick might never have become a chiropractor if,
several decades ago, he hadn’t hurt his foot so badly he couldn’t walk;
which was a major problem as he was getting ready for the Tokyo Olympics. He
told the story about how he went to several doctors. None of them had any
idea what was wrong, but all of them wanted to operate anyhow. Further he
tried a sports doctor but did not fare any better. On the advice of a family
member, he tried an osteopath. Warwick said that his foot started feeling
better after two treatments and that within two weeks, he was walking again.
It was this experience that made him decide to become a chiropractor.
He began practicing in 1965 and graduated at the Sydney College of
Chiropractic & Osteopathy in 1969 and at “Acupuncture Colleges Of Australia”
in 1971.
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the
musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these
disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat
neuro-musculoskeletal complaints including, but not limited to, back pain,
neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Sartorially elegant in his Bondi
Beach T-shirt and Guinness cap, board member Roy introduces the Open Forum
with a reminder that St Patrick’s Day is on the 17th of March, and to join
the March! Assemble at Alcazar 2nd Rd 2pm.
When people have back pain, Warwick said, they have to
decide: Should I treat it myself? Should I go to a general practitioner? A
chiropractor? An osteopath? Warwick explained that osteopaths and
chiropractors do similar work, but that osteopaths tend to work more on the
muscles than chiropractors. Warwick mentioned that back pain is the most
common reason people see a chiropractic practitioner. Causes of back pain
include arthritis, being overweight, overusing the back, bad posture,
certain medicines, and poor fitness. If you have back pain and cannot get
comfortable, Warwick advises you to get an X-ray; a chiropractor is more
likely than a doctor to spot something amiss in the X-ray. However, he
added, X-rays don’t always reveal the problem.
Ways to treat back pain include rest; swimming; walking (including
sideways); lying on your back on a bed with your head hanging over the side
in a stretching posture; losing weight; and having someone dig their fingers
into your lower back muscles. Squatting like a weight lifter also helps, as
do sit-ups.
Warwick explained that neck pain has a lot to do with back pain. A good
chiropractor will adjust the neck, the middle back and the lower back, he
said. There are devices that can be used to help treat back pain, such as
rollers and braces. He said that there are things people can do to prevent
back pain, including eating healthy foods such as green tea, turmeric,
broccoli, selenium, seaweed, sprouts, apples, almonds, avocados, garlic,
onion flaxseed oil, watermelon, brown rice, uncooked fat, olive oil, papaya,
walnuts, beetroot, and lamb (in preference to beef).
Warwick advises people to exercise twice a day; once a day is not enough, he
said. The best exercise is swimming. Next best is walking. Gym machines,
like the leg press, are also good. Warwick sprinkled his talk with some
comments and advice on staying healthy. Here are some examples: (1) Three
meals a day is too much unless your body is working hard - best time to have
your meals is 11am and 4 pm and there should be at least four hours between
meals; (2) Fasting can save your life as it helps your body preserve energy,
and gives organs a chance to heal; (3) If you are over 65, you are not
getting any Vitamin D from the sun and need a supplement; (4) Thai massage
can help a sore back, but get the masseur to work on the problem areas; (5)
Sitting for long stretches is one of the leading causes of disease - Get up
and walk around at regular intervals; and sea salt is better than regular
salt because of the minerals it contains.
After Warwick answered several questions from the audience, Master of
Ceremonies Richard Silverberg brought everyone up to date on current events
and called on Roy Albiston to conduct the always interesting Open Forum
where questions are asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand,
especially Pattaya.
For more information on the Pattaya City Expats Club and their many
activities, visit their website at www. pcecclub.org.
(Pictures by Urasin Khantaraphan.)
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Khao Baisri, Jesters and 3 Sheep
Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive 2014
It is amazing how calm the
children seem as they interact with the animals and feed them.
Bernie Tuppin
The special school for children with learning difficulties at Khao
Baisri bears the name of Khun Boonchoo. This facility began life in a small room
attached to a local school in Sattahip. It was here that Boonchoo took
responsibility for the teaching and care of a handful of children with autism,
Down syndrome and other mental ailments. Back then Jesters Care for Kids were
approached for help and happily transformed an old shed into an additional
classroom, along with some playground equipment.
News of this special class soon had more parents turning up with their children,
but then space was becoming a problem too. Choo, as she is affectionately known,
solved that problem by donating one rai of land to the Education Department, so
that future donors would have the surety that any buildings erected would be
vested in a government authority and not held by her personally.
With this assurance, Jesters Care for Kids and their supporters raised funds to
build modern classrooms and toilet facilities on the new land, while other
groups built a kitchen and more classrooms. The number of children soon
increased and District 12 Education Department in Ban Bueng supplied special
teachers and staff.
Since that time, additional land has been donated and many more buildings
erected, including dormitories, therapy units, playground areas and even a small
shop to sell items made by the children. As each improvement was added, Jesters
Care for Kids helped out financially whenever possible, and still continues
giving them a monthly contribution to help with the food costs.
Currently, this establishment cares for over seventy children; around forty of
whom live on the premises. Many local groups contribute to the running costs to
ensure that these special children have a safe environment and the opportunity
to advance their quality of living.
On a recent visit, Choo guided me to where workmen were busy fencing in a small
area containing a raised shed. When I asked the purpose of this construction,
she informed me that it was for three sheep and hoped that Jesters would fund
the cost of acquiring them. It was with some trepidation that I put this request
to Jesters committee, but the cost was minimal and it was readily agreed.
I returned a few weeks later and asked how the sheep were settling in. Again, I
was guided to the sheep pen, but this time in the company of the children and
their carers. It was already noticeable that the children were excited, but not
in an anxious way; more like anticipating a treat of some sort. The sheep were
let out into the yard, where the children were waiting. It was then that I
noticed how calm the children seemed as they interacted with the animals and fed
them. Talking later with Choo and some of the carers, they explained that this
was exactly the outcome they had expected and, as a result, the children have
this experience each day and the benefits of the children have improved
remarkably.
Such a small investment that has provided a huge result is very satisfying.
Jesters Care for Kids have been long time supporters of Boonchoo and her
incredible efforts to enrich the lives of those less fortunate and will continue
to help wherever possible.
For more info about us, please visit www.care4kids .info and www.facebook
.com/jesterscare.kids.
Events: Children’s Fair is Sunday, September 7th at Regents (RISP) and GPN is
Saturday, September 20th at Amari Orchid Pattaya.
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Diana Garden Resort celebrates 11 years
Staff and friends sing Happy
Birthday to Diana Group MD Sopin Thappajug (2nd left).
Warunya Thongrod
Employees and guests celebrated the 11th anniversary of the Diana Garden
Resort, using the occasion to also launch a surprise birthday party for the
hotel group’s managing director.
Nine monks from Nongprue Temple led by Abbot Piphit Kijjarak marked the March 4
event with prayers and the spreading of holy water to bless the resort. Diana
Group MD Sopin Thappajug led employees in offering lunch to the monks afterward.
The monks then distributed Great Patriarch medallions to attendees.
Employees then brought out a birthday cake for Sopin, wishing her surprise
birthday wishes.
“During the past 11 years, the executive team and employees have worked to serve
Thai and foreign tourists under the principles of dharma and honesty,” Sopin
said. “Diana Group has selected quality individuals, who have been
professionally trained to care for customers like one’s own family. Therefore,
handicapped or senior-citizen tourists can be assured they will receive good
care while holidaying in Pattaya.”
Sopin is cheered on by party guests
as she blows out her birthday candles.
Sopin laid the cornerstone for the Diana Garden Resort on
Feb. 25, 2002. It’s 71 rooms over six floors are complemented by amenities
emphasizing nature. The hotel offers a pool, golf course, fitness center,
conference room, Thai cooking class, yoga and massage.
The Diana Garden Resort is only part of the large real estate and hospitality
business Sopin built since entering the Pattaya business scene in 1982. Starting
with a postal center, guest house, airport taxi service and translation
business, she started the Diana Inn in 1982 with just 20 rooms. Today it has
more than 100.
Known widely as “Auntie Noi” for her generous charity work, Sopin expanded into
real estate with such condominium and hotel projects an the Diana Estates, Diana
Dragon, Diana Garden Lodge, Phakawadee Travel and Diana Garden Resort.
Diana Group MD Sopin Thappajug (2nd
left) prays with monks from Nongprue Temple.
Diana Group staff offers lunch to the
monks.
Friends and family wish Diana Group
MD Sopin Thappajug a happy anniversary and happy birthday.
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French Duo bring Soul and Blues to Pattaya
Alan Scott & Kimy get ready for their show.
Paul Strachan
The Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard hosted a musical event at the Nongprue
Municipality feast hall on the evening of Thursday the 27th of February.
The talent consisted of two French singers, Alan Scott & Kimy, singing hit after
hit of blues and soul classics.
The duo flew in specially from France for the concert which attracted a good
number of expats from various aspects of the community who came along to hear
the likes of ‘I love Rock ’n Roll’, ‘Proud Mary’, ‘Blue suede shoes’ and many
more.
Within the first couple of songs the crowd was up on their feet dancing to these
tracks from yesteryear. The duo sang pitch perfect for two hours and had style
and flair much to the delight of the crowd.
The entry fee was 600 per person or 1000 baht for a couple and was in aid of the
Karen Hill Tribes.
(L to R) Martin A.C. Brands, Past President of the
Rotary Club Nakhon Ratchasima; Nigel Quennell, President of the Rotary Club
Eastern Seaboard; Robert P. Denzel, Secretary of the Rotary Club Eastern
Seaboard; Dr. Margret Deter, Secretary of the Rotary Club Phonix Pattaya; Dr.
Otmar Deter, President of the Rotary Club Phonix Pattaya and Christophe Autret,
member of the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard.
Rotarians enjoy their time dancing to the music.
Alan Scott & Kimy put on a great show.
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