Jennylyn Mercado follows a demanding fitness routine.
She has been taking pilates, practicing taekwondo, and running outdoors apart from other exercises.
She is serious about her exercises because as a mom, she says her biggest fear is getting sick.
"Ang hirap kasi, lalo na ako, sa akin. Hindi ako makakapag-work at hindi ko maaalagaan yung pamilya ko.
"Fear ko na hindi kami maging healthy and magkaroon kami ng sakit," she tells PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an exclusive interview.
The 32-year-old actress also practices an all-organic regimen that consists of fruits and vegetables, essential oils, and Chinese medicine.
She has also been having acupuncture religiously, "Every week, either Saturday or Sunday, hindi kami nagmimintis kasi sobrang laking tulong sa akin ng acupuncture."
JENNYLYN FINDS CURE IN ACUPUNCTURE
Jennylyn shares she used to suffer from faulty vision because of glaucoma, and acupuncture cleared her eye blur.
According to St. Luke’s Medical Center’s website, "Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease affecting the optic nerve (connection of the eye to the brain). Left undetected and untreated, it plods a slow course towards permanent, irreversible blindness."
It is usually inherited and manifests later in life.
Jennylyn was 30 years old when she learned about her glaucoma, making her lose 40 percent of her eyesight.
After undergoing various tests, Jennylyn was prescribed to use eye drops that would improve her vision and prevent her glaucoma from worsening.
"Yung drops nila sobrang sakit sa mata… parang may masama siyang effect sa akin.
"Sabi ko, 'Ayoko nito, hindi ko ito kaya araw-araw,'" she recalls.
"'Tapos every month, kelangan ko magpa-check kasi i-che-check nila kung pabulag na ba ako, lumiliit ba yung vision."
Pained by stinging eye drops and bothered by monthly vision tests, Jennylyn decided to turn to acupuncture.
At that time, she had lost 60 percent of her eyesight.
"Madalas ako makabangga ng pinto. Hindi ko nakikita, e," she says.
But after a year of acupuncture, her ophthalmologist brought her good news.
"Jen, you’re back to normal, 100 percent vision!"
Surprised, the doctor asked, "Anong ginawa mo?"
To which Jennylyn replied, "Acupuncture."
Saved from her impairing condition, Jennylyn has been having acupuncture on a weekly basis, and encouraging her friends to do the same thing.
ACUPUNCURE AS ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT
In a phone interview with PEP.ph, licensed acupuncturist Dr. Noel Zosa confirms that acupuncture has been proven effective in treating various diseases.
He has been treating patients since 2007 and getting positive results both for mild and hard-to-treat cases.
Dr. Zosa says, "Tumors have shrunk, patients in pain for decades have been healed, and patients trying to have a baby were helped with their fertility."
Body pain, digestion issues, allergies, gynecological problems, and Parkinson’s Disease are also among the long list of diseases believed to be curable through acupuncture.
Sessions in acupuncture clinics such as Dr. Zosa’s or the ones inside major hospitals come with a consultation prior to the actual treatment.
During the treatment, needles will be inserted in specific points in your body for 20-45 minutes.
"It doesn't hurt," he says. "Also, if you have pain, which is more painful than being needled, the needles will help get rid of the pain."
If you would like to give acupuncture a try, prepare to spend to 1,500 to 2,000 pesos per session.
Prices vary per clinic and the packages it offers.