In my twenties, when I had more time for pampering, I thought massages were a marvellous indulgence.
I had no problem paying someone in a white tunic £50 every once in a while to smother me in aromatherapy oils. Only now, with an achy back, a stiff neck and barely any time for beauty parlours, I realise the rub-downs of yesterday were wasted on the younger, time-rich me. I just didn't appreciate how necessary they were.
From India to China, South America to Africa, every ancient culture has some form of massage technique ingrained in its philosophy of optimum health. Greek and Roman civilisations used massage, too, as a bona fide medical tool, yet even now in Britain, thanks to censorious tradition when it comes to human physical contact, we view it as a luxury.
Having come to massage via the beauty parlour, I was, until recently, agnostic about its benefits. The more I learn, however, from medical practitioners, the more I realise how powerful it is as a means to keep the body in top condition.
Source - Telegraph
Friday, August 29, 2008
Does the Alexander Technique really cure back pain?
WHAT are we to make of this week's news that the complementary therapy Alexander Technique is an effective treatment for long-term back pain, better than painkillers, physiotherapy, massage or exercise alone? The findings came in an authoritative study in the British Medical Journal.
Chronic back pain can be soul-destroying. With pain researchers increasingly convinced of the importance of psychological, as well as physical, factors in producing pain, what's also becoming evident is that approaches that address only the physical aren't as effective as those that influence our feelings too.
It seems amazing that little more than a decade ago, rest and painkillers were still standard treatment for back pain. In the past 20 years research has consistently shown that active approaches - when the patient takes responsibility for exercise - are far more effective than passive ones. It has gone on to show that approaches that give detailed attention to an individual and tailored treatment - such as osteopathy and physiotherapy - are more effective than off-the-peg approaches.
But more recently, as good-quality research studies have been conducted into complementary techniques, the possibility has arisen that yoga and the Alexander Technique hold benefits beyond manipulation and exercise. It has something to do with our minds.
The theory behind the Alexander Technique may be hard for medics to take because it revolves around simultaneously releasing emotional and physical stresses by improving posture. But it may be in this difficult mind-body link that its success lies. This means that, for all the benefits shown by research, it may be a while before it is available on the NHS.
So what are you to do if you want to try the technique? Since the report came out, the organisation for Alexander Technique training has reported a huge public demand for details of teachers (Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique www.stat.org.uk). There are only 900 in England, and most of these are in the SouthEast.
Chronic back pain can be soul-destroying. With pain researchers increasingly convinced of the importance of psychological, as well as physical, factors in producing pain, what's also becoming evident is that approaches that address only the physical aren't as effective as those that influence our feelings too.
It seems amazing that little more than a decade ago, rest and painkillers were still standard treatment for back pain. In the past 20 years research has consistently shown that active approaches - when the patient takes responsibility for exercise - are far more effective than passive ones. It has gone on to show that approaches that give detailed attention to an individual and tailored treatment - such as osteopathy and physiotherapy - are more effective than off-the-peg approaches.
But more recently, as good-quality research studies have been conducted into complementary techniques, the possibility has arisen that yoga and the Alexander Technique hold benefits beyond manipulation and exercise. It has something to do with our minds.
The theory behind the Alexander Technique may be hard for medics to take because it revolves around simultaneously releasing emotional and physical stresses by improving posture. But it may be in this difficult mind-body link that its success lies. This means that, for all the benefits shown by research, it may be a while before it is available on the NHS.
So what are you to do if you want to try the technique? Since the report came out, the organisation for Alexander Technique training has reported a huge public demand for details of teachers (Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique www.stat.org.uk). There are only 900 in England, and most of these are in the SouthEast.
Aronia berry, 'the healthiest fruit in the world,' hits the High Street
A berry reckoned to be the healthiest fruit in the world will soon be available in Britain's shops for the first time.
The aronia is a 'superfood', richer in anti-cancer antioxidants than raspberries and more modern imports such as the goji and acai. It even has three times the level of antioxidants found in blueberries. Now a six-year plan by Marks & Spencer to cultivate the berries in Scotland has come to fruition and they will be in its stores from Monday.
The plant is native to North America, where early settlers gave it the name 'chokeberry' because it is so sharp when eaten raw. The aronia berry – which is similar in appearance to a cranberry – is also said to help ward off heart disease. American Indians believed it was a good aphrodisiac.
The move to grow the plant in the UK will satisfy environmentalists, because it will be more ecologically sound to transport the berries to M&S shops than if they were imported. Because it needs damp, mild conditions in which to grow, it is an ideal crop for parts of Scotland.
The introduction of the aronia berry has also been influenced by Britain's Polish population – it has long been popular in their home country. The introduction to shop shelves of the aronia berries will feed the growing demand for 'superfruits'.
Source - Daily Mail
The aronia is a 'superfood', richer in anti-cancer antioxidants than raspberries and more modern imports such as the goji and acai. It even has three times the level of antioxidants found in blueberries. Now a six-year plan by Marks & Spencer to cultivate the berries in Scotland has come to fruition and they will be in its stores from Monday.
The plant is native to North America, where early settlers gave it the name 'chokeberry' because it is so sharp when eaten raw. The aronia berry – which is similar in appearance to a cranberry – is also said to help ward off heart disease. American Indians believed it was a good aphrodisiac.
The move to grow the plant in the UK will satisfy environmentalists, because it will be more ecologically sound to transport the berries to M&S shops than if they were imported. Because it needs damp, mild conditions in which to grow, it is an ideal crop for parts of Scotland.
The introduction of the aronia berry has also been influenced by Britain's Polish population – it has long been popular in their home country. The introduction to shop shelves of the aronia berries will feed the growing demand for 'superfruits'.
Source - Daily Mail
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
