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Retiring to the Philippines

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Healing The Natural Way

April 5, 2013 by Gary McMurrain 6 Comments

hilot
The Philippines has a long and successful history of Alternative Medicine practitioners and experts. With many people living in the rural countryside areas of the Philippines, where hospitals are often miles away, it seems every barangay or village has a number of experts with knowledge in treating illness naturally and without harsh medications.

There are hundreds of medicinal plants growing in the Philippines and the Philippine Department of Health, DOH, officially recognizes some of these plants as actually being therapeutic in the treatment of certain illnesses and diseases. Eating the simple and inexpensive vegetable ampalaya, also known as bitter melon, has been proven to both lower and regulate blood sugar. There are many other wonderful examples of natural healings through the use of herbs and vegetables.

In 1997, Republic Act Number 8423 was passed as law in the Philippines and it is known as TAMA or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act. One of the objectives of the law is to encourage scientific research on and develop traditional and alternative health care systems that have direct impact on public health care. Another objective is to promote and advocate the use of traditional, alternative and preventive and curative health care modalities that have been proven safe, effective, cost effective and consistent with government standards on medical practice.

For the expats in the Philippines, the country has a wealth of resources for those who are into alternative medicine. Not only have traditional Filipinos developed expertise in the use of herbs and plants for treatment of illnesses for centuries, the large Chinese community has also contributed greatly. Where I live in Bacolod City, Hua Kong Chinese Pharmacy first opened its doors in 1949 and it is still serving the residents of the city with the latest Traditional Chinese Medicine available in the world. There are a number of acupuncturists in Bacolod City, some of whom have trained in China and in other countries abroad. A visit to an acupuncture clinic in Bacolod City will cost about $4. A personalized one hour treatment by a certified acupuncturist in the privacy of one’s own home will cost about $30.

There are certified and licensed Chiropractors in the Philippines and they are becoming more popular for use in treatments. Bacolod City is only a mid-size city and there are Chiropractors here.

For the expats who enjoy the rural lifestyle in the countryside of the Philippines, one will learn about the famous hilots in the area where they live. A hilot is a traditional practitioner who is an expert in the use of therapeutic massage for healing common colds, sprains, strains, fractures and other musculoskeletal conditions. Most hilots come from a long line of hilots in their family, as thie fabulous folk healing method has been taught and carried on for many generations. Some hilots are also experts in the use of herbs for natural remedies. Some cities have hitlots available since many city residents were born and raised in the rural areas of the Philippines. The service of an excellent hilot will cost about $5 per visit.

Part of the adventure of retiring to the Philippines is experiencing the wonders of natural and alternative medicine, which do not have side effects and the cost is very minimal compared to trips to an MD for minor ailments. When was the last time you paid $5 for a doctor visit in your home country?

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Filed Under: Alternative Medicine Tagged With: alternative, hilot, medicine

About Gary McMurrain

Gary McMurrain has been involved with the Philippines in one way or another for over 30 years. He has been living in Bacolod for 6 years and is widely considered an authority on living the expat life.

Comments

  1. Raymond Frake says

    September 1, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    You've mentioned in other articles that you've availed yourself of alternative medicine. Can you tell us what has worked for you and what treatments you consider to be more superstition. Thanks.

    Reply
  2. kristine says

    September 4, 2016 at 11:48 pm

    Hi! Where specifically in Bacolod City can we find chiropractors and an acupuncture session?

    Reply
    • Calvin Trent says

      September 5, 2016 at 7:53 am

      I live in Dumaguete and I have gone to 3 Thai massage therapists…..the third one is far better than any chiropractor I ever have gone to

      Reply
    • Steve Fleming says

      September 5, 2016 at 8:39 am

      Kristine – One of our readers, Todd, made the following recommendation…

      “Dr. Chua at the Riverside Medical Arts Building does Chiropractic work.”

      Hope that helps – Steve

      Reply
    • Jhay Broad says

      September 7, 2016 at 9:59 am

      Dr Arnel Chua in Riverside Hospital does both chiropractor & acupuncture.

      Reply
      • Janice says

        October 8, 2016 at 4:55 pm

        Do you have any idea about the price for chiropractor and acupunture?

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