Pain! What Pain?

Forbes India blog:

The pain you suffer is your problem. Harsh, very harsh, but true. Once you realize that, only then will changes take place in the right direction. Since it’s your problem, you need to take a more proactive role in treating pain and managing it. At times, pain is there to stay. But it’s entirely up to you if you have the desire to suffer as well. Below is an example of die-hard lady who decided not to suffer, even though she had enough pain thrown at her.

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Running: Losing my religion

Forbes India Blog:

I am a runner by religion, and a very staunch one at that. I became a runner when I was 9 years old. I firmly believed that running gives you an even playing ground, which strips all of their social status and financial standing. 

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Most efficient and practical cardio-vascular exercise session

With marathon boom happening in India, people are confusing passion with activities like long distance running being best for your health. It was in 2007, during India's first Ultra marathon held in Bangalore, where the maximum distance was for 78 km, I did 100 km. The race organisers could not comprehend triple digits and it didn't show up on their results page. But during first weekend of October 2012, an ultra marathon was organised around Bhatti Mines where twelve people had signed up for 100 miles.

I am very clear in my head that I run because I am crazy about it. So might be the case with folks who attempted 100 miles. From 3-4 such people in 2007, today we have over a hundred who would happily enter for 100 km race. In 2006, there would a few hundred who would sign up forna marathon but today I would imagine more than a lakh run a marathon every year.

But for maintaining health and health benefits from cardio-vascular exercise, it's shorter duration higher intensity exercise that is more important. I usually suggest people to have 30-45 minutes brisk. Now, there is evidence for the same.

Intensity versus duration of physical activity: implications for the metabolic syndrome. A prospective cohort study -- Laursen et al. 2 (5) -- BMJ Open
http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/2/5/e001711.full

Brisk Walking Beats Long Strolls ... - about.com

Brisk Walking Beats Long Strolls for Reducing Metabolic Syndrome Risk

Read full article by about.com, click here

Child diabetes 'is being missed' - BBC

Your child has a raging thirst and is rapidly losing weight. What could be behind it - it couldn't be diabetes - could it?

For full article in BBC, click here

Spinal steroid shots may have little effect on sciatica - Chicago Tribune

Despite the growing popularity of steroid injections to treat various kinds of back pain in recent years, a new review of past research finds the shots do little to alleviate sciatica, a common condition that causes leg and back pain.

To read the full article by Chicago Tribune, click here

The challenge of medical empowerment

"Rather than just reform healthcare, efforts should be made to help people maintain or regain their own health"

The title of this post was also the title of the piece done by someone else today in Mint newspaper. I was so excited to see someone else talk in my tone that I just needed to steal the title.

To read the full story, click here

Below is my response which never made it to the newspaper.

I just read your brilliant piece in Mint Newspaper titled 'The challenge of medical empowerment'. Thanks a million miles for an amazing piece, questioning the whole healthcare industry in a very sutle manner.

Is Cardio workout bad for you (for weight loss or otherwise)?

A friend of mine shared an article that spoke about 'How dangerous traditional cardio workout is for weight loss program.'

I have done a lot of articles on these topics, and always after thorough research. One of them is here... http://www.newslaundry.com/2012/03/quack-quack/ Scroll down till you see a BBC piece that I have spoken about.

For the piece in question, my response is below in red font.

This Type of Exercise can Damage your Heart

by Craig Ballantyne, CTT

Contributor:  Men's Health Magazine

Creator:  Turbulence Training

'Turbulence', are you serious! That is a very constructive term to have for name or training. My confidence level in whatever I am going to read next hasn't really sky rocketed though. Men's Health is not by any means a critically reviewed medical journal, which I am used, so I am going to be tough on them. 

Old story, new cover

Just read their (Vardan) website, they have created new words for therapy and treatments that already exist. They also base their physical therapy protocol upon fundamentally flawed 'functional training'. Just trying to blind all with razzle dazzle.

Functional Manual Therapy = osteopathy, physio or a combination massage methodologies.

Functional Mobilization™ (FM) and Soft Tissue Mobilization = see above

Automatic Core Engagement (ACE) = automatic and exists within patients with back pain regardless of training. Main issue is a delay in recruitment that functional training struggles to affect

Functional Tests = the body will always get better when practicing a skill so testing for a movement you're practicing is always going to show improvement - catch is you need to practice every movement possible (infinite)

- By Kieran Lowe, London

Osteopath & Sports Rehab

Testimonial: Severe Knee Pain to running 111km

Percy Fernandez:

I remember the evening I couldn't walk as I stepped outside the Metro. The pain was excruciating on my right knee as I simply couldn't walk. Thankfully, Rajat was with me as we were going into a meeting. And here I am, after a year. Stronger and wiser.

Thanks to them, I managed to run 111km on 11.11.11.

I love Rajat's approach to wellness. Holistic, I would say for want of a better word. Perhaps that's because he is a runner. His team is an illusion of magicians. They are professional to their marrow. They engage you. They can talk. And ofcourse, walk the talk. Most importantly, they are bunch of young, charming and vivacious boys and girls who add to that magical touch. Keep it up and keep up the good work.