I am sitting in a "hale" a thatched hut on the beach on the big island of Hawaii and it is just gorgeous. We have been here almost a week and will be leaving on Thursday . When we got here, I was in such pain. You may remember I was experiencing not only the usual burning, electric jabbing pain, but also bone pain in my legs. Well, after just two days here in Kona, I felt so much better. What do you think it is? Here is what us different:

warm tropical weather
daily snorkeling for 30 - 50 minutes
salt water
lots of sun (I am Vitamin D deficient)
good food (fruits, although I am still eating heavy desserts!)
Relaxing
lots of walking (which actually makes my feet hurt a bit at the end of the day)
no driving
daily jacuzzi
regular vitamins & meds
lots of sleep (go to bed around 9:00 wake up at 7:00
this resort has individual huts on the beach with no TV, no phones, no radios, etc. Very quiet. Lot's of families/ Check it out www.konavillage.com.

I think the combination of everything has made me better...but I am wondering if it isn't the snorkeling because of the salt water (i always feel like the ocean heals me). What do you all think?

I just wish I could live here........

Ann

Oh I am sooooo jealous. Kona is one of my fave spots in the whole world.

Its also considered a spiritual place which can be very healing as well.

Enjoy!

Hi there and Aloha!!!1

Years and years ago, when I was a kid, my mom and dad and all her brothers and sisters and their kids and I well we all went to the beach. My aunt would go into the ocean and just immerse herself. She didn't swim, she didn't do anything but just lay in the salt water. I never understood why.

Then one day I heard them talking and I said "what is so great about salt water? and one of them said "Oh, don't you know Salt Water kills all bacteria and is so good for what ails you, it's good for arthritis, it gets into your joints, it's good for this, for that, blah, blah, blah. Now I was a little kid but I remember the conversation. THEY LOVED THE SALT WATER.

So what do we do at home, take a bath with epsom salts???? Think that might work????

Have a good time.

Melody

I think I'd like to be where you are.

We stayed in Hilo on the wet side of the Big Island for two weeks. Volcano was magic, as was the Hawaiian cultural center, the food (cheap if you eat where the locals do), the sweet clean air, and mainly the aloha spirit. I'd like to live there too.

Sounds wonderful! Isnt the water warm and beautiful? Went to Maui about 12 years ago - free trip - had never even considered going there before.... it was awesome - the snorkeling, the warm water, windsurfing, the volcano, the fish nibbling on you right off the shore, the beautiful views (even if its raining) - going on day cruises, we were literally still jetskiing two hours before the plane took off!

Have a wonderful time - and enjoy yourself streached out on that warm sand and thinking of all of suckers here on the "mainland!"

Have a safe trip home!

Well, I know that exercising in water is good for most things that ail you. Low impact, meaning low stress on muscles, joints, bones, etc. The lack of everyday stress due to television and other modern technoligies. The sunshine, warm air. It may be a combination of all of it. Ever consider moving there? ;-)

You can buy sea salt at the grocery store these days. Wonder if that would work as well? A tepid bath with sea salt as sea water isn't all *that* warm. Would by-pass the pain from a hot bath as well.

Yeah, what is it about HOT BATHS and PAIN!!!

I never had a problem getting in a hot bath before.

Now that I have neuropathy, jeeez, the hot water DOES NOT LIKE MY FEET!!!!

Does this mean I can't take hot baths anymore? My body loves the hot water because I have osteoarthritis. What the heck am I supposed to, get in a warm bath?? YUCK!!!

The sea salt sounds great thugh. I think I'll buy it and put some in my bath water.

Good suggestion!!!

Melody

Have you tried soaking with your feet not in the tub? Propped up on some towels on the edge, etc? I have an old claw foot tub that I stick my feet up on the edge at the facet end. That seems to eliminate the heat/pain problem.

Let me see if I got this straight. You want me to get in a tub without soaking my feet!!

okay, tell me how and I'll pay you a million dollars.

Melody