Sole Therapy?

Also known as zone therapy, reflexology was "founded" by a Connecticut based ENT (ear, nose & throat) doctor William H Fitzgerald (1872-1942) so writes the author in yesterday's Straits Times (Solely Therapeutic, June 11 page A37).

His "work" was further expanded upon by an American physiotherapist Eunice D Ingham (1899-1974) who came up with the sole maps you will now see posted on the walls of reflexology shops. (I never knew this!)

The theory behind reflexology is that good health supposedly depends on good energy flow in the body. During illness, energy flow to a particular zone is disrupted and hence alters the proper functioning of organs in that zone. This shows up as tender spots on the the sole where affected organs are mapped. One can then "treat" virtually any organ since they are found easily on one's sole.

There seems to be no evidence behind reflexology though, as randomized controlled trials done on headaches, asthma, dementia, diabetes, foot swelling in pregnant women, headaches, post surgical pain, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, menopausal symptoms and the common low back pain were all found to be ineffective.

Reference

Ernst E (2009). Is Reflexology An Effective Intervention? A Systematic Review Of Randomised Controlled Trials. MJA 191(5): 263-266.

Kinesio Tape in Today's Straits Times (080611)

Those of you who attended the Kinesio Taping Level 1 & 2 course over the weekend will recognize the Kinesio Taping on the athlete (Straits Times page B15 under the Sports section), and how the taping can be improved.

Well, I treated the athlete and corrected his taping, he will definitely be well to swim in the SEA Games trials next week.

All the best for your trials.

* Picture from RN

Today Paper Article Quoted In Runner's World Website

Yesterday I saw the article in the "Voices" section  in page 20 of the "Today" newspaper and didn't think that much of it until I saw the same article quoted this morning in the Runners World website.

A cyclist (not a local Singaporean but an expatriate who formerly lived in Holland) was riding home from work on the bike section along Bedok canal was punched in the face by a jogger running in the designated cycling section. The cyclist was writing in to share his experience after a previous writer wrote in about another "road rage" incident regarding a cyclist.

Personally, I get fairly upset when any cyclist coming up behind me rings the bell when I'm walking along any pedestrian walkway. Pedestrians have the right of way in any pedestrian walkway. I usually don't give way unless the cyclist ask politely.

Now while I ride to work daily, I am always riding on the road and I never go on to any pedestrian foot paths. If I have to ride on any pedestrian walkway for whatever reason, I always give way to the pedestrians, but that's me.


Have a look at the Runner's world article here http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2011/06/note-to-self-avoid-the-bedok-canal-bike-path-wherever-that-is.html.

*Picture from Runner's World

Kinesio Taping Level 1 & 2 Course

Gino Spent the last 2 days over the weekend teaching Kinesio Taping Level 1 and 2 at Progress Healthcare Pte Ltd (the Kinesio tape distributor).

The next course will be KT 3 in October this year while and the KT 1 &2 will probably be in November. Stay tuned for more details.

To Eat Organic Food Or Not

There is increasing published evidence that the “ halo effect” in food may influence what and how much we eat. For example, research has shown that people tend  to eat more at fast-food restaurants claiming to serve “healthier” foods compared to regular burger and fries joint. This may be due to people letting their guard down when something is perceived to be healthy.

Food carrying an "organic" label may influence people to think that the food is more nutritious compared to "normal" food.

Organic food has been actively debated as whether they are in fact more nutritious.

In the study referenced below, the researchers conducted a double-blind, controlled trial in which 144 subjects at their local mall compared what they thought were "normal" or "organically" produced chocolate sandwich cookies, plain yogurt, and potato chips. All of the products were actually of the organic variety – they were just labeled as being “regular” or “organic.”

The subjects unanimously preferred the "organic" food samples across all group. Perhaps they believed "organic" means more nutritious and/ or tastier. This may mean that eating organic creates some sort of a placebo effect and that they are eating healthier or lower in calories.


Reference

Lee  JWC, Shimizu M and Wansink B (2011). The Health Halo Effect: Don’t Judge A Food By Its Organic Label. Paper Presented at the 2011 Experimental Biology Conference.

2:03:02 Hours In 2011 Boston Marathon

A super fast time in the 2011 Boston marathon of 2:03:02 hrs by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya. This is by far the fastest time ever ran in the marathon, faster than the 2:03:59 hrs by Halle Gebreselassie in Berlin. But it will not be recognized as the world record because it is a point-to-point course (IAAF does not certify Boston as a record quality course) and course is mainly downhill in the latter stages.

The first 10k was covered in an amazing 29:06 min, projecting 2:02:47, but they slowed a little in the middle.

The 10km stretch between 30-40 km was covered in 28:25 min.....

Have a look at the splits below

Distance    Time   Interval    Interval           Projected 
                                         Time          Pace                    Time
 
     5            14:29            14:29            2:54                    2:02:23
    10           29:08            14:37           2:55                    2:02:47
    15           43:45            14:39            2:56                    2:03:04
    20           58:43            14:58            3:00                    2:03:53

Halfway    1:01:57                                                         2:03:54

  25             1:13:16          14:33          2:55                    2:03:40
  30             1:28:23          15:07         3:01                    2:04:19
  35             1:42:35          14:12          2:50                    2:03:40
  40             1:56:48          14:13          2:51                    2:03:13

Finish        2:03:02

*Picture from Runners World

Bike Lanes War

The picture above shows a battle being waged on the roads in New York City over its bike lanes.

On one side are those who want bike lanes in order to have a healthy lifestyle while being able to share the road equally.

Those against the bike lanes want their cars to own the road. They probably want to use as little energy as possible to get from one place to another. And I guess they just don't wanna support a city designed to help its inhabitants exercise while commuting.

Well, at least NYC has bike lanes. When do we get ours in Singapore?

I've been riding to school, training and work etc since I was sixteen. Dunno if we'll ever get bike lanes here.


*Picture and article from here.