I’ve always been the kind of girl who wants to take a pill and feel better. When I’m sick, I mean. Or in pain or ailing in any way. I once had a boyfriend who was astounded by all the pills in my medicine cabinet. It’s a regular Walgreen’s in there. I got daytime cold medicine, nighttime cold medicine, antihistamines, nasal sprays, cough medicines in several flavors and strengths, decongestants, flu meds, antacids, laxatives, diarrhea medication, Midol and Advil. (OMG, lots of Advil! My wonderdrug!) And that’s just the OTCs.

So it should come as no surprise that when I throw my back out (which I do, regularly, a couple times a year) that I’ve always treated it with the traditional route - pain killers and muscle relaxers. Because if there’s anything that can top the drug store in my bathroom, it’s a PRESCRIPTION!

Only, the back, it keeps going out. Couple times a year, I end up in bed for a week whacked out on the prescriptions and missing a lot of work. So this time I tried something different. An alternative. I went to a chiropractor. I’ve always been a little frightened by the thought, but what do I have to lose really? I ALREADY CAN’T FREAKING WALK. I recently saw firsthand how much it helped my brother-in-law when he injured his back, so I thought I’d give it a try. And wow! So much better. Not scary at all and after just one visit I’m no longer hobbling around like Fred G. Sanford.

It’s not my first foray into alternative medical treatment. I’ve suffered for years from insomnia. I have a hard time turning off my brain, which runs like a hamster in a wheel, even when I’m sleeping. I have vivid, epic-long dreams all night long and wake up feeling not the least bit rested.

Then Badger recommended a homeopathic treatment for “sleeplessness with mental hyperactivity.” At first I was all, “Why would I want to take something that’s completely unregulated to slow down my brain?” Does that SOUND like a good idea? But then I tried it. And wow, it worked REALLY GOOD. And I totally shouldn’t be telling you this because it’s already hard enough for Wild Oats to keep the stuff in stock. I’m gonna have to start ordering it off the internets or something.

Now if I could just get my insurance to cover massage therapy and yoga classes.

What kinds of alternative treatments have you tried? What were your results?