Dagny

D.O.'s can function as "regular" physicians, just as M.D.'s do, or they can utilize osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) as part or all of their practice. I see a D.O. for my orthopedic/sports related injuries. This doctor, along with the others in the practice, provide OMM therapy as their primary function. If you would like to see a D.O. who is a family physician or internal medicine or ob/gyn doctor who uses OMM regularly, it would be good to go to an osteopathic hospital or practice/group. Or, call and ask if they provide those treatments. The doctors I have shadowed in my training use a mix of "regular" medicine and OMM on a daily basis. However, if you have encountered D.O.'s who don't utilize OMM therapy in their practice, it is most likely due to either the physician's personal attitude toward the efficacy of OMM treatment or difficulties getting insurance coverage of the treatments. Anyway, I know that's a bit off topic, just thought I'd throw it out there... Oh, and as for the difference between D.O.'s and chiropractors....well, D.O.'s are doctors. LOL, but don't tell that to the chiros! Seriously, though there are many similarities between OMM and chiropractors and even physical therapists, DO's are physicians first and foremost. They can provide a more comprehensive treatment as their focus is not limited to musculoskeletal manipulations. Chiros like to do a lot of "cracking", techniques that DO's also utilize, but DO"s also use soft tissue techniques, medications, and sometimes invasive therapy in conjunction with those techniques. They are trained to consider all aspects of a patient in preparing a treatment plan for them...lifestyle, medical condition, etc.... Of course, I'm biased! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Hmmm....my pet peeves: When the dog pees on the floor. When my cat decides that the best place to sit in the WHOLE room is right on top of the book I'm reading. Oh, and when the cat makes biscuits on my hair all night long! That's what we're talking about, right? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

LOL!! That was me at work today. Everyone kept talking about 4/20 and I had to ask finally. Wish I had some celebratin' plans, but unless reading about the finer points of Neisseria gonorrhea counts, today is just another day for me!! Damn, I'm a nerd. Hey, maybe I"ll get a little crazy, mix it up, and study at the pool. Lots of blue sky today.... Now, since we're asking "stupid" questions right now...can someone tell me WHY 4/20? And as for the not-so-subtly hidden debate over living a drug free life, I say, we all make choices about our lives. What's good for one isn't always good for another. The government, like parents, sets the ground rules and the beauty of being an American is that we have the freedom to choose our path. Right or wrong, it's up to the adult individual to make that choice. So, I say....live how you're living and have fun doing it!!! Cheers everybody! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Lisa, congrats on the new (to you) car!!! I know that van gave you some headaches! I was thinking about this today....my dream car, what would it be? I want something old, like an old mustang, but all pimped out. Wonder how long it'll be before I can do that? I'd settle for pimping out my new (to me) rig...hopefully soon!! Now take your ride somewhere awesome and have fun!!!!!!!!! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

So sorry to hear about your sciatic pain! You're right, it most likely initiated due to the repetition of movement from rollerblading. For now, the best medicine that I can recommend is rest and anti-inflammatory meds. I would like to agree with Lindsey here...if possible, seek a D.O. who specializes in osteopathic manipulative therapy. Here are some websites that might help. Sorry, I have no clue how to make them "clicky". For an information on osteopathy: www.osteopathic.org To find a D.O. in your area: http://www.osteopathic.org/directory.cfm There are a number of factors which need to be evaluated concerning your sciatica. For example: is the pain originating from a degenation of the disks in your back or spondylolisthesis, basically a misalignment of the disks? The sciatic nerve courses under the piriformis muscle on it's path down the back of the leg and pain can also originate from this area due to muscle spasm among other things. I am in medical school, specifically osteopathic medicine, and I can vouch for the effectiveness of the therapy on musculo-skeletal disorders. While it may not absolutely control your sciatica, it may relieve your pain and it is another, viable option for treatment. Especially if you are not interested in pain control through prescriptions. Lawrocket - as for finding an M.D., that is a definite option for traditional treatment modalities. However, a D.O. would be able to provide both osteopathic manipulative treatment initially. And, if his pain was unrelieved, a D.O. could follow with the surgical options that might be necessary in the future. RkyMtnHigh - Aleve helps because it is an anti-inflammatory medication (containing naprosyn). Sciatica is due to inflammation of the sciatic nerve, so any medication with these properties is beneficial. Ibuprofen is another anti-inflammatory that can be used. As for massage, it may help relieve pain from muscles which are stressed, but will not be effective for the sciatica. However, sciatica often causes changes in gait (the way we walk and even maintain our posture) that may cause some tightness in other muscles which massage will help. Again, a D.O. can offer treatment similar to this, via muscle energy treatment, myofascial release, and soft tissue techniques. That is part of what full treatment would involve - repairing the somatic dysfunctions which arise from sciatica. And, as for acupuncture...I have seen a lot of people have relief of pain from these treatments. I, personally, have never had it done, but there are D.O.'s who use this as part of their arsenal so I have witnessed acupuncture therapy. It's definitely another option, but I'd recommend sticking with a D.O. or M.D. for more definitive care, at least in the beginning. Good luck with your pain! Oh, and have fun at the tunnel! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I wanna see some pics of the prodigal snake hiding out in the rollerblade!! How funny! How'd she get out, anyway? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

This thursday Buffett is going to be in Tampa!!? Sweet. Oh, and nope. But, I will be working and going to school on the East Coast. Way more fun, really! Drink a margarita for me! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Well, now that she's gotten that notch on her belt, maybe she'll be up for a little 2way action with me!

Beautiful!!! Thanks for that one! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Ooh! And are they plain apples or caramel apples? That makes a difference, you know. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Congrats on your acceptance! Now, even though I'm in medical school and, by proxy, have to hate you...let me just say, welcome to the fun that is student loans, long hours of studying, and cozy study niches curled up with your favorite text, a cup of coffee, and being neatly hidden behind the rows and rows of leather bound books that make up those fine law libraries! (one of my favorite libraries, by the way...you law students are so QUIET! LOL) Have fun and welcome to professional school, chica! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Very nice pics, as usual! My faves were 5, 6, and 8. Seriously, I would love to have 6 in black and white and a mat and frame on my wall. Sweet! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

It is so unfair to judge a person when you don't truly understand the circumstances in their life. Lack of money doesn't always mean someone won't work, is lazy, or spends frivolously. The question was...would you pay $20 for talkback. I, being someone without extra cash as of late, would not pay for that privilege. I have to prioritze my spending and cannot justify that kind of expense. Yes, I skydive and I'm still on rental gear. I am only jumping enough to stay current and, right now, haven't even managed that. If I had the extra funds, I would put the money towards a skydive where I can get some real experience rather than on this website or the talkback forum. I won't explain the details of my personal situation or financial woes. But, I will say that I resent the implication that someone without the extra money to apply to a luxury item, like this website or the talkback forum, is lazy or expects something for nothing. If a time came that a fee was charged for access to thiis website, I would have to evaluate my budget and see if I could afford to pay to play. And if I couldn't, well, you won't see me "whining" about it. I chose my direction in life and I accept the difficulties that have arisen from it...like paying my bills. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Sigh. Where would we be without all this testosterone and machismo? Surely we can say that everyone who posted to talkback felt that their post was worthwhile in some way, otherwise why post? No matter the motivation, the fact is that the talkback forum was specifically cited as being for "non-skydiving related discussions" and was treated as such. Clearly, something got out of hand. Rather than speculate or justify our personal decisions to post or the subject matter we chose to discuss, perhaps we should pursue a different course of action. Sangiro knows why he shut down the TB forum. If he wants our opinions on how to deal with whatever was problematic, surely he will post about the problem and invite suggestions as to how to amend it. Or maybe he won't, it's his prerogative. Until Sangiro specifies something further, I'm thinking that all this deliberation is ineffectual at best. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

$20 is only small to someone who has income. Without a true income, $20 can mean gas or food or a jump to stay current or almost 1/3rd of the USPA membership or the only way to keep the lights from being turned off. I would never pay $20 for the right to post to talkback. I wouldn't pay it for the right to post general skydiving or incidents or the women's forum, either. I would, however, seriously consider paying for general access to the website. That is why I am working right now, so I can afford the things I want. However, next year...well, next year is a whole different story and new budget, so we'll see. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

No. I would, however, pay for acccess to dropzone.com But not for the talkback forum. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

My feelings on talkback and the options presented here: I would not pay money to be able to read and/or post to talkback. It simpliy isn't that important to me. However, that being said, I enjoyed reading talkback as much I do the other areas of dz.com. The majority of my posts were to TB and the reason for that is because I'm a newbie skydiver who took one too many lectures on my lack of experience in the field. It was suggested to me that I not post advice or suggestions in the skydiving forums due to my inexperience and lack of instructor licenses. Look, listen, learn was what I was told. I took that to heart and have done that. I no longer post to the other forums unless I'm asking a question. Without TB, I do not "contribute" to this forum or participate actively, other than to lurk. The money issue is difficult. I would most likely pay to be a member of this website, but not for TB. Money is really tight, I live off of the loans I get for school and, for the next two months, tip money. I can barely afford to skydive, can't afford equipment, I'm working just to pay my bills and live. Unfortunately, if I had an extra $20, I would put it to real life experience on a jump, rather than the website. Not saying I wouldn't pay, but that I would have to budget it in and that's not necessarily easy. As for TB, I just skip over threads that I feel are primarily meant to incite. I also skip over the threads which are infuriatingly repetitive. But, I read quite a few of the others and enjoy posting. Despite my lack of interest in some threads, I personally would hate to see them deleted or banned. Yes, it IS a skydiving website, but we are also people with varying opinions and ideas and I, for one, think that as a multi-dimensional group it is beneficial to have an outlet to discuss topics other than skydiving as well. Granted, it's not my site and my opinion probably means very little, to nothing, in the grand scheme of things. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

What an ass!! Being a skilled DT and having millions doesn't give you license to be a shitty person. GRRRRR!!!! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

The chocolate slimfast shakes are pretty good...which are you having? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

MMMMMMM.....baked potato for me and cauliflower and broccoli. Good stuff. My belly is happy now. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

The only tip I need right now is how to lay the hurt on a lazy 21 year old chick who is going to be enjoying this beautiful sunday while I work in her place. Then she'll probably be sleeping tonight while I'm drinking coffee all night long trying to re-read this information for the second or third time (as if I'll be lucky enough to get that far). In fact, she'll probably still be sleeping when I go to class at 8am to take this test. Okay, time to stop crying, clean up, and go to work. Dammit!!! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I need to vent so bad right now!!!!!!!!!! I'm in medical school and have an exam tomorrow morning which I'm trying like hell to pass. I had to work at the restaurant this weekend, too. Today, I'm on call for the morning shift. In theory, it means that I have to call in at 10 am to see if any shifts are now uncovered because someone pulled up from illness or unforseen circumstances. In reality, the on call person is there so anyone who just doesn't want to come in to work doesn't have to. I tried so damn hard to give up that on call and no one wanted it. So, I'm stuck with it. I just called in and this lazy bitch!!! called out this morning. She's not sick, I'm sure of it. She just hates to work. I've had to work for her several times before. And, now, of course, when I need it the least, today. Meaning...I miss at least 6-7 hours of study time AND I can't go to my study group to do practice tests and old test questions. I'm so upset right now! I would quit this job right now if I didn't need the damn money so bad. Hell, maybe I should keep it. If I fail out of school, I'll need employment. I've pulled all-nighters before. Looks like tonight is going to be another long night. This sucks!!!!!!!!! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

What's your favorite Heinlein book? I read a few and, of course, Stranger in a Strange land...classic. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

But, it comes down to this, don't you think? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Perhaps, they will, but should they? The military serves a purpose and that purpose isn't hidden. You can't get something for nothing...a paycheck, money for college, or freedom. Now, I'm not saying that military personnel have to unilaterally agree with the views of the government or even with their tours of duty, but they do have an obligation to fulfill the oath they made when they enlisted. Here's something interesting I read about a staff seargent and reservist who served from april to october in Iraq and has gone AWOL after a two-week return home. He is refusing to return to Iraq, states that it is a war for oil, that he is opposed to war, and is claiming conscientious objector status. He is facing criminal prosecution and I completely support that. You make decisions in your life, you make commitments and it's vital that you follow through on them. The military can be a great career and provide a great life, but it's not just meant to support Americans only during times of peace. There are other career options which don't require the same obligations. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali