Massage is commonly promoted to enhance skin health by increasing its ability to regenerate and improving its elasticity and resilience. However, there is no research study to back up this claim. Skin regeneration, which is essential to skin health, is a complex process, which is difficult to monitor. Perhaps one avenue to substantiate this claim
Michael Jackson’s 1987 music video “Smooth Criminal” is a classic. In a scene, he was able to lean forward to about 45 degrees while maintaining a straight spine, defying gravity. Many tried to replicate it, but this move is impossible from a biomechanical point of view. Nishant Yagnick and colleagues from Postgraduate Institute of Medical
A research found that mice with breast tumour who performed 10 min./day of yoga-inspired stretching had 52% less tumour growth (compared with the control animals), in only 4 weeks. There is growing interest in developing non-pharmacological treatments that could boost natural defenses against cancer and contribute to primary and secondary cancer prevention. Recent studies from
A survey from the US found that nearly three quarters of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are non-contact injuries, and female athletes sustain a twofold to eight-fold greater rate of non-contact ACL injuries than their male counterparts Thus, a strategy to prevent ACL injury is desirable. A research study from University of Nevada investigated the
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) has been associated with altered hip and knee kinematics in runners. A previous research identified increased strain rate in female runners with ITBS, and another study demonstrated increased knee adduction (genu varum) in male runners with ITBS. There has been a suggestion that neuromuscular factors at the hip may play an
A recent article in British Journal of Sports Medicine quoted the “physical activity paradox”, which means that while it is known the beneficial health outcomes associated with exercise, but detrimental health outcomes for those engaging in high level occupational physical activity. The authors conducted a quantitative systematic review to find evidence regarding the association between
An increase in blood circulation to muscle tissue is one of the most promoted positive effects of massage. One reason for this is that improved blood circulation is supposed to deliver more oxygen and other nutrients to the muscle tissue. For example, a 2017 research study demonstrated a positive relationship between an increase in blood
The concept of contralateral effects can be very important when rehabbing after an injury. If a limb in injured, whether it is a ligamentous sprain, broken bone, or a torn muscle, the immobilization necessary to allow time for it to heal, can result in muscle atrophy in that limb, resulting in decreased size and strength.
Decreased ankle dorsiflexion has been reported as a risk factor for some lower extremity conditions, such as patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, chronic ankle instability, metatarsal stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and anterior knee pain. Decreased ankle dorsiflexion has also been reported as a possible contributor to excessive knee valgus, also known as dynamic knee valgus. Dynamic
A meta analysis published in a highly respected journal British Medical Science found no evidence that parachutes are effective in preventing major trauma related to gravitational challenge. Ridiculous you say? Well, this conclusion is entirely accurate. Yet it is entirely absurd at the same time. The study titled Parachute use to prevent death and major
