From 2018 I keep hearing of a word that they call as Hilot Lagatok which they claim to be part of Hilot Modality that cracks and pop bones where they derive the word lagatok as it has sound of popping. In massage therapy or Swedish Massage there is a manipulative stroke that is called tapotement which is a rapid and repeated striking of the side of the palms or cupped palm on the fleshy and muscular area of the body. It is performed to increase the blood circulation in local areas as it warms and soften muscles. It also tap off mucus that sticks on the walls of our lungs or also been used as technique when someone has been choked to remove foreign objects that obstruct passage of the air flow thus improve breathing.

Though this group of people are from Filipino Bone Setter Inc. They don’t do massage but instead they do pop and crack joints in all body parts as they claim to align the misaligned joint. Upon evaluating and assessing them, what they do is Chiropractic Manipulation but do insist that they are bone setter. From the definition that been formulated to describe the works of Modern Filipino Bone Setter, they have said that:

Modern Filipino Bone Setting is an alternative health care practices that focus on treating misaligned joints and other Musculoskeletal ailments through the conduct of Physical assessment and evaluation, muscle preparation, joint mobilization and joint alignment in providing relief from pain, weakness,
numbness and reducing nerve compression, relief from muscle tension and promote natural healing by restoring proper alignment and functions to the spine and joints. Filipino Bone Setter Inc,

Whereas, the scope of practice of Traditional Bone Setter includes:

1. Joint Manipulation
2. Reducing Joint Dislocation
3. Reset Fractured Bones
4. and treat MuskuloSkeletal Injuries

But upon our initial interview with their President Mr. Gary O. Trinidad on which the members call him Master, they do not take the resetting fractured bones but instead refer patients to Medical Professionals. Indeed that they loose one point of becoming on being a Traditional Bone Setter (which I am glad that this work of setting Fractured Bones remain on the scope of duties and responsibilities to the Authentic Manghihilot on which in Ifugao they call as Mun’apyuh was still revered by the Indigenous People and even with the Christians convert.)

In order to extract the health benefits of Bone Setting, I asked Filipino Bone Setters members that is present at the moment yesterday May 15, 2024 to what case of illnesses that have positive response on their treatment. The participant on this Assessment and Evaluation are Mr. Gary Trinidad, Mr. Rommel Reyes, Mr. Disler Vingco and Ms. Raquel Juacalla. According to them:

Bone Setting may provide beneficial effects to the person by improving body posture, improving range of motion and other health related problems such as:
✓ Injuries Issues (Tendonisis, Tennis Elbow)
✓ Reducing Arthritic Pain
✓ Scoliosis
✓ Muscle Spasm
✓ Vertigo
✓ Migraine
✓ Sciatica
✓ Frozen Shoulder
✓ Metabolic Function (Gain & Loss Weight)
✓ Infertility
✓ Misalignment
✓ Dislocation

We also have help them formulate their own code of ethics to follow which is very important part for them to be recognized and accredited by the government accreditation body; which they have formed the following:

1. . Filipino Bone Setters take pride on our knowledge and skills on the effectiveness of the Treatment method we apply on addressing issues on musculoskeletal injuries, joint misalignment, improving body postures and range of motion.
2. Filipino Bone Setter prioritize the well being of our Patients. Our primary goal is to alleviate pain, promote healing and restore function.
3. We approach each patient cases with compassion and empathy, considering the patient’s overall health and wellbeing.
4. As Filipino Bone Setter, we respect patients’ confidentiality. We do not disclose personal information about our patient without consent.
5. We maintain professional relationship with client/patients and avoid gossip or sharing sensitive details.
6. While formal informed consent may not be obtained in the same way as in modern medicine, bone setters typically explain their treatment methods to patients or their families.
7. Patients are informed about the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of the treatment.
8. Consent is implied when patients seek their services voluntarily.
9. Bone Setters provide honest assessments of the injury and the expected outcomes
   of the treatment.
10. We do not promise miraculous results but emphasize the importance of following
    the instructions for optimal healing.
11. As Bone Setters we recognize our own limitations, only if the cases we handle are
    beyond our expertise or required specialized care that we refer our client/patient to
    appropriate healthcare professionals.
12. We collaborate with other healers, such as Hilot and other alternative, traditional
    and complementary Health Care providers to address various aspects of health.
13. Bone Setters learn from experience and continuously refine our techniques through
    our continuing Education program.
14. We seek guidance from elders and attend gatherings where knowledge is shared.

And the most important part of this birthing process that we do for them is that we were able to describe elaborately their bone setting techniques which they can present for their Government Recognition and Accreditation application.

Through this I feel proud of my self, that we were able to help them to exist and not hide on the guise of Hilot which endanger our Manghihilot practitioners of have lack of opportunity and be banned again in practicing our Indigenous Traditional Healing Method.