Maricel Soriano recently opened up about her health struggles, revealing in her latest YouTube vlog that she has spinal arthritis, a condition affecting her ability to walk.
“Kasi ‘yung spine ko may arthritis hanggang leeg ko. Tapos nung first na-experience ko ‘to in-injectionan na ako sa likod. Tapos ‘yung sumunod dahil hindi pa nawawala ‘yung pain, kasi side lang eh, so ginawa nila mismong sa spine nila ako sinaksakan ng steroids,” she shared.
She added, “Tapos matagal bago nag-effect kaya iika-ika akong maglakad tsaka ‘yung paa ko… manhid, parang may mga karayom na tumutusok.”
According to medical sources, spinal arthritis causes inflammation in the joints between the vertebrae, commonly affecting the neck or lower back. Maricel also disclosed that she has a pinched nerve, further contributing to her discomfort.
Despite the challenges, the veteran actress is not rushing into surgery.
“Ito namang sakit na ‘to gumagaling naman ‘to. Actually ang sabi nga magpa-opera ka na para matapos na ang sakit na ‘yan. Pupunta tayo dun pero kasi tinitingnan namin lahat ng way kung papano para hindi ‘yan surgery ang mangyari, sana kasi ayaw ko,” she said.
“Siyempre nakatikim na ako ng caesarean [delivery], hindi ba? Ang operation is not a joke. That’s why parang ako gusto ko rin ma-introduce rin ako dun sa ibang anggulo, para gumaling ako.”
To manage the condition, she has been undergoing physical therapy, including aquatic walking and stretching exercises.
Offering words of encouragement, she advised, “Doon po sa mga tao na may sakit din na ganito, when your body talks, you listen. Dapat ganun eh. Sabi kasi nila what you eat today will walk and talk tomorrow.”
She also expressed her strong faith: “Tsaka huwag kang matatakot, nandiyan si Lord. Tsaka dapat lagi natin isipin ‘yung ibang tao nagawan ng himala, di ba? Ikaw pa ba eh love ka ni God.”
Fans quickly flooded the comments with messages of support and prayers for her recovery.