I mentioned the pain I was feeling from my shin down to my ankles on my left leg in my previous post. When I woke up this morning, it hurt bad when I stood up. I decided not to do anything about it because the pain subsides once I walk and yesterday during my run, it disappeared after my warm up. Like the macho dork that I am, I have made up my mind that I will be racing with the early pain at tomorrow’s Marikina race.
Our kasambahay noticed that I was favoring my left leg when I stood up for breakfast and recommended that I visit a manghihilot nearby. I was about to dismiss the advice but I held off. I thought to myself why not? — I had nothing to lose. And I always have good experiences with manghihilots. I was planning to get a foot massage later to manage the pain anyway. The hilot might work.
I walked over to the barrio near our place and asked about Mang Max the manghihilot. I was instructed to go up a steep 2nd level and knock. The door was opened by Mang Max himself and he welcomed me inside.
I quickly told him about my pain and started ranting that I am a runner blah blah blah. With a soft voice, he asked me to pull a chair and rest my left leg on a stool. He felt the joints in my ankle. When he touched a particular nerve or joint, I told him that was it — and he proceeded to do his thing.
During the process, he mentioned something about 7 ligaments or joints holding the ankle to the foot and that one was misaligned — hence the pain. Then with pride, he narrated the different famous people who have come to seek his service. He also mentioned about the herbal medicine Flanax which he said could be taken for simple joint pain. He also mentioned about the med Pyrazon. I bobbed my head up and down saying “uhuh” at the same time watching him like a hawk.
After a minute or so, I felt something click. He felt it too. And he said it was ok already. I was dubious and a skeptic. I wanted him to massage some more – ala foot spa – because it felt good. Non-verbally he motioned that the work was done so I stood up gently feeling my left ankle — and there was no more of the “main” pain. Wow! I smiled from ear to ear and was already thinking about tomorrow’s run — starting without pain.
I told Mang Max the pain has disappeared and he gave me a knowing smile. I offered payment and he told me to place it in the box below his altar. No amount was mentioned. I put money in the box which I thought was a fair amount and profusely thanked Mang Max. I said I will definitely be coming back.
With this experience, I realize how I love our way of life – our culture. Manghihilots rock! The Philippines rock!
Onwards and Forward!
