Not long ago I noticed that I had some trouble with my left hip. When I would get up after sitting for a while, sometimes it hurt so much that I would be unsure of my first few steps. Yesterday I mentioned it to my beloved. “Age,” I shrugged my shoulders sheepishly. “How about seeing a specialist?” she frowned. “Nah,” I waved my hand boisterously, “I can take care of it myself!” I had in mind the way I took care of the dislocation of my right shoulder ten years ago or so. Back then, a specialist even suggested an operation, but I solved the problem by sleeping differently. Namely, I used to put an arm under my pillow, and I abandoned the habit for good. In less than a month, the shoulder trouble disappeared as if by magic. Now I have a hunch that I should not be sitting with my knees crossed. A silly habit, no doubt. This morning I made sure not to sit that way any longer. Amazingly, my hip is much better already. There is hardly any trouble when I get up. I am convinced the hip will be as good as new within a fortnight. The moral of this story is that we are our best doctors. It takes only a little bit of thinking about our silly habits. As well as abandoning them for good if they strike us as harmful.

Addendum I (August 26, 2012)

The cure of my left hip took a bit longer than a fortnight, but it was quite successful. Today I mentioned it to my beloved, and I boasted of my success. The habit of sitting with my knees crossed is history by now. The pain in the hip must have disappeared a couple of months ago, as well. At any rate, we are our best doctors, indeed.

Addendum II (November 6, 2012)

My left hip came to my mind as I was sipping coffee this morning. So many months have passed, but the trouble has never returned. And all it took was not sitting with my knees crossed any longer. I am returning to this subject because my confidence in my prowess with healing has only been increased by this experience. Doctors are needed every now and then, but there is much we can do for ourselves in the meanwhile. All it takes is clear thinking, good information, which the World Wide Web already provides, and perseverance. Returning to the trouble with my left hip, I cannot be caught sitting with my knees crossed any more. Not even for a second.