Peru R.H. (46 years old, female)

[Diagnosed as lumbar disc hernia]

　I had a slight pain in my lower back since I was young, but I left it as it was because it did not interfere with my daily life and work as a nurse. Since the beginning of 2007, my lower back pain became worse, so when I was examined at the hospital where I work, my doctor diagnosed me with lumbar disc hernia (L4 / 5, L5).
　After that, I started taking painkillers and getting injections when the pain was severe. However, the pain gradually became worse, and finally it started to interfere with my daily life and work.
　In June 2008, I also had gastritis, and I was almost bedridden. My lower back pain was no longer being cured by injection or medication.
　At the re-examination in September, my doctor advised me to have surgery. By then I was instructed that I needed to be absolutely rested to avoid straining my lower back. I stayed home while taking a leave from work. At that time, my symptoms were really terrible. Not only my lower back hurt but my head and shoulders started to hurt. I couldn’t sleep at night. I just stayed still on the bed.

[Encounter with MOA Peru Wellness Center]

　At that time, I received a call from Dr. M, a senior doctor who used to work at the same hospital I worked at. When I told him about my physical condition, Dr. M introduced me to the MOA Peru Wellness Center where he works.
　On October 1, I visited the center for the first time and saw Dr. M. After I received an explanation about the Okada Health and Wellness Program including Purifying Therapy, Arts and Culture Program and Dietary Program, he advised me, “Why don’t you try the Purifying Therapy until the surgery?”
　On that day, I received an hour of Purifying Therapy. It was my first experience, so I was skeptical about the effect. However, I was very relaxed during the therapy and was able to sleep soundly on the bed for the first time in a while. I later realized that I was able to sleep because my severe pain had been relieved during the therapy.
　After that, I started going to the center every Wednesday. I wasn’t able to walk for five minutes because of the pain, but fortunately my house is so close to the center that I managed to get there every week.
　In addition to the medical examination by Dr. M, I also received nutrition counseling from a dietitian and art therapy (ikebana floral arrangement). In the nutrition counseling, following the guidance of a dietitian, I changed my diet, which used to be mainly meat, and switched to a diet using vegetables. I began consuming vegetables grown using the Nature Farming method. At the center, each staff thinks about my health from various perspectives, and gives me appropriate advice every time. Not only my pain but my heart feels unprecedented comfort.
　I hadn’t been out at all except to receive Purifying Therapy at the center. From around January 2009, my pain was almost gone and I was able to return to work at the hospital.
　The doctor in charge also diagnosed me. He said, “If you are in your current state, you do not need surgery. Let’s watch the situation while being careful not to exercise excessively.”

[Changes in family life]

　For about a year and a half, I couldn’t take care of my family, especially my children, because of the hernia. However, my condition improved to the point where I could live as usual, and I was able to regain a happy life with my family.
　When I was bedridden, I couldn’t talk to the children and I couldn’t do household chores, so my family had to eat out or rely on deliveries. Now that I can cook meals, my children are happy to eat. They tell me my foods are “delicious, delicious,” so I’m really happy.
　In addition, I try not to miss placing flowers in my house by keeping in mind the “life to enjoy beauty” which I learned from the center. Nowadays, my children can change the water of the flowers I arranged. Together we enjoy the flowers. We also plant flowers in the garden and enjoy gardening.
　By adopting the Okada Health and Wellness Program in this way, our family was able to return to our original peaceful home. My father, who saw my recovery, wanted to try the Okada Health and Wellness Program for his health. Currently, he goes to the center with me every week.

[“I want to help those who suffer from illness”]

　While working at a hospital as a nurse for many years, I also work as a lecturer at the medical school of S University to train future nurses.
　At first, I decided to help people suffering from illness and aimed to become a nurse. However, before I knew it, I had forgotten my original intention and was busy accepting many patients every day. I have forgotten to think of how I can help make each of my patients happy.
　By interacting with the staff of the MOA Peru Wellness Center, I was able to remind myself of that.
　I wanted to help those who are suffering, so I joined MOA on March 21, 2009. I began attending the therapist training to volunteer as a Purifying Therapy therapist. I was able to obtain the long-sought certification on May 5.
　I wanted to have a place to introduce the Okada Health and Wellness Program at the hospital where I work. I immediately contacted the director of the hospital and was able to hold a meeting between the hospital director and the doctors and staff of the MOA Peru Wellness Center. The hospital director was very interested in the Okada Health and Wellness Program and provided a room in the hospital from May. There, visitors are able to receive the Okada Health and Wellness Program on a regular basis, and a Health Promotion Seminar by MOA is held every month.
　I hope that many people will experience the Okada Health and Wellness Program in this place and be free from the suffering of illness. With such a desire, I would like to volunteer as a therapist.