Hi dude,

If it's the 'unrelated incidents' that lead you to suspect cartilage rather than ligament, muscle or tendon damage or bone bruising, maybe its wise to remember that they ARE unrelated? Dropping out of trees (or the sky generally) often causes lumbar or thoracic damage on landing because nerves get trapped. Professional paratroopers are recommended to do pull-ups and stretching bar work for this reason.

If you've been having general joint problems you should get someone else to roll them (joke).
Seriously, the most popular cause of joint probs. is inflammation, and the quickest way to stop inflammation is to avoid fast release sugars (and of course anxiety, which makes all pain more painful).

Fish, fruit and walnuts have all been useful to me in improving joint problems. Some swear by co-enzyme Q10, I tried it once and didn't notice any difference, but only took it for 3 months. Herbalists swear by Comfrey ointment, aptly known as 'knitbone'  :  )
Try & stay the right way up, yeh?
Best,
AR

Hi dude,
I only have experience of traction inversion in the context of osteopathy & spinal injury, and breech birth turning. I haven't heard of any problems operating within recommended time guidelines. I don't however know anything about chiropractic employment of the technique, sorry!
AR

Hi dude!

Well done you  :  )  Keep it up! Now entering my third year of “no illness at all” so pretty sure I've got NH factors right for this context.
Are you going to continue working with flotation?
Best,
AR

Hi dude  :  )

There's a link between ANY physical problem and a vague sense of foreboding. We always know unconsciously and feel more vulnerable when we're not up to strength. Also, with sinus probs we can become hyper sensitive to air pressure change and feel 'creeped out' before storms.

On top of this dehydration will creep you out all by itself. It's the unconscious's way of sending a 'something's wrong' signal. Sounds like you need some good food and rest dude, take it easy on yerself  :  )  'Tis the season to be lying around eating. And in your case, drinking fluids  :  )

...While you're here, may I ask have you any experience with small animals such as chickens or rabbits? I'm looking for small edible species that don't require restraints like cages or pens, can live free on the land as part of the ecosystem, doesn't give you loads of hassle, won't be eaten by local cats, doesn't stray far, and tastes good. I know we discussed fish briefly way back when, but looking at all options (if in doubt, do everything)  LOL  :  )

Forest gardening recommends chickens, but I have tried them in the past and they were a pain in the ass.

In advance, have a very happy solstice!
Best,
AR

Just wanted to add a few words about that sensation of foreboding I was having as result of dehydration. I began to have it again today and was simply marveling at the acuity of such fear. Luckily this time I was easialy able to identify the cause.  It occurred to me also that the results of my tensegrity practice and its ability to raise awareness must be causing me to sense such mortal danger far more clearly. In the moment it seems like hell, however as I see now, after a few cups of water, this awareness is a blessing that has kept me alive.

Hi dude,
Sorry you're getting some crap!
Okay you need to list any and all symptoms and view any recent changes as potentially connected, so that includes sleep disturbances or unusual thirst, change of diet etc., get a good clear picture of any and all changes in your body and habits.

Anything attacking or upsetting the HPA axis is gonna cause unexpected (and apparently inexplicable) panic attacks. This certainly sounds like the problem area because the sudden changes in hydration homeostasis is too much of a coincidence to ignore. Remember it's also possible to over-hydrate yourself, so just drink normal amounts for health and take it easy until you get a clear diagnosis. Don't drink alcohol!

Diagnostics are urgent, for without them we have no idea what to treat. You might wanna get a standard GP check especially if there's any kidney discomfort, cos misbehaving adrenals can cause this sort of response and it could be something as simple as a kidney infection or a little parasite like the fluke worm from unwashed watercress. Doctors are great for diagnostics. Remember, you don't have to take their choice of treatment, once you know clearly what's wrong you can choose from all options.

It's really important to do this soon in case you're under attack from bacteria/viral source, where time is of the essence because the little buggers are sex maniacs  :  )  fixing small problems stops them growing into big ones. Problems that interfere with hydration or other aspects of homeostasis should always be taken seriously.

Test your pee for infection now if you have multisticks. If you don't have testing sticks and aren't able to get any, mail me privately with forwarding address and I'll post you some (but don't wait for them to arrive before seeing your GP)

Keep in touch and let us know how you get on,
Best,
AR

Hi  :  )

Dude it sounds like there's a strong possibility of kidney infection and you need to treat it right away. If you're on vacation there should be provision for you to see a local doctor or maybe A&E walk-in, check it out.
Right away: Hack the little fuckers:
1 Drink a pint of water with one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate) once a day. This will change the pH of your pee so bacteria can't live in it.
2 Hit a drug store and buy a potassium citrate treatment, tell the pharmacist you think you have cystitis and take it as though you had cystitis.
3 if you are drinking river water, boil it thoroughly before drinking.
4 Avoid all foods containing sugar, sweeteners of HFCS. They're just feeding bacteria.
Don't use salt/molasses; that's for diarhea-related dehydration and in this case could make you worse.
Don't exercise, but do keep moving; fetching wood & carrying water is fine  :  )
Best,
AR