In this article we will consider what to do when our training goes wrong and we suffer an injury.

In the event of any injury, such as a muscle or tendon strain or a joint sprain, there is a simple procedure which should be followed for the first 24-48 hours. The amount of time needed to ensure the quickest and most complete recovery possible will depend on the severity of the injury, but adherence to this procedure is crucial. It can be remembered by the pneumonic “RICE”: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Rest. As soon as pain is felt it is vital that the activity stops. Further use of that body part will make the injury worse and delay recovery. It is better to over-react and rest too much, than to try and “work through” the pain and cause further damage.

Ice. As soon as possible, ice must be applied to the injury. This is vital to slow down the circulation and control inflammation. It is also has an excellent pain-killing effect. The ice should usually be wrapped in a wet cloth, but may be applied directly to the skin so long as it is kept moving. As a general rule, ice should be applied until the skin looks pale – usually around 5-10 minutes for a small area such as the wrist, but possibly around 20 minutes for a large muscle, such as the thigh. If the area turns red, the ice has been applied for too long. Immediate ice treatment should be followed by further applications every 2 waking hours for 24-48 hours. (Ice taken internally, as an accompaniment to a large glass of your favourite tipple, should most definitely be avoided!)

Compression. Compression will constrict the blood vessels, thereby reducing swelling. Compression should be applied by firmly fixing a bandage or other dressing over the injury site. Care should be taken to ensure that the circulation to other parts of the body is not restricted.

Elevation. An injured limb should be supported in a position higher than the heart. This will slow down the circulation and may help to further reduce swelling.

It is important to note that ice, compression and elevation must not be applied together. Done properly, this immediate treatment can help to ensure a return to activity with the least possible delay, and may even be all that is required in the event of a minor injury. However, should swelling persist after 48 hours, the injury should be medically assessed.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Relief with Ayurveda

Ayurvedic relief from addictions like drugs, alcohol, smoking and over eating helps people come back to enjoying their life without addictions to any harmful substances. Ayurveda is unique system of lifestyle that helps people lead healthy lives. Ayurvedic addiction recovery therapies work with the willpower of the person.

As a first step to recover from the addiction, the person must identify he is slave to an addiction and should have a desire to recover from alcohol addiction, drug addiction or addiction to smoking. Over eating is also a behavioral problem that has far reaching consequences on one’s health.

One detrimental factor to free one from addictions is the withdrawal symptoms. The addicts feel they are punished for abandoning the use of drugs, alcohol or cigarette.

Ayurveda approaches this problem systematically and Ayurvedic system of cure from addictions is based on treating the cause instead of symptoms. The alcohol consumption or smoking is only a symptom. Underlying reasons can be stress or mental tension. The person tries to dissolve his worries in alcohol, but he or she ends up more worried and disheartened.

Ayurveda aims at removing the root cause of the addiction. Ayurveda aims at replacing the addictive behavior with some constructive behavior. For instance, smokers will be given herbal cigarettes, which satisfy their urge to smoke, but removes the toxins added to their body.

This herbal approach is supplemented with counseling, guided meditation, massage therapy, aromatherapy, etc which help in complete recovery of the addiction without withdrawal symptoms.

The inertia or the mental conditioning of the person to give up the habit is the first thing that needs attention.

Ayurveda also recommends personalized treatment programs based on the physical constitution of the person. Physical constitution, called DOSHA in Ayurvedic terms gives clues to effectiveness in recovery from any addictions.

Each type of persons have specific herbal formulations that help in removing toxic wastes accumulated to the body, strengthen internal tissues and easily recover the person from addiction.

The important factor is the mental preparedness of the person to accept he/she has some addictions and honest desire to recover. After getting the person in right mental condition, it is easy to recover from any life-threatening bad habits.

Hepatitis C – Treatment Options Available

Hepatitis C is a serious issue and one needs to keep oneself fully informed about this virus in order to save health and getting affected from the serious side effects. A patient tends to go through the stage of a kind of inflammation of the liver. The condition is brought in to action by the Hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C can also be referred to as the type of Hepatitis that shows symptoms similar to the flu.This is the reason that most people are not aware of the fact that they have been infected with the virus of Hepatitis C. The virus is only detected when the person visits a health care practitioner for a medical examination.There are several causes of transmission of this serious condition including tattooing, body piercing, sharing needles, unprotected sex, blood transfusion, sharing of drugs and sharing of personal items such as a razor.This disease can easily spread via a blood –to- blood contact. There is no specific treatment available for Hepatitis C. However, health care practitioners often recommend the patients to go for a bed rest and have plenty of liquids. This has to be followed in conjunction with a healthy diet routine and complete abstinence from alcohol.In case, you have been suffering from only mild Hepatitis C, you would see a difference in your condition just within two or three weeks. The complete recovery would take about four to eight weeks.However, if you have been defected with chronic Hepatitis C, your health care practitioner will recommend protein interferon acquired from synthetic sources. This treatment is helpful in improving the functionality of the liver and eliminates the symptoms of this condition.You may have to suffer from certain side effects such as headaches and fever. These side effects may not affect some patients at all. Only 10-40 per cent of Hepatitis C patients are prone to these side effects.The treatment provided for Hepatitis C completely depends on the amount of damage that has been done to liver by the viruses.Sometimes, treatment is not considered to be an only option. This is because the medicines used widely to treat Hepatitis C produce serious side effects.The actual goal of treatment given to Hepatitis C is to exterminate the infectious virus from the patient’s body as early as possible. The length of the term depends of the damage done to the liver and the effect of medicines on the patient’s body.- Anti-viral medications used to treat Hepatitis CA) Peginter feron to fight off the infection.B) Combination of interferon antiviral therapy and ribavirin to enhance the chances of eliminating the virus from the body.The disease is serious. Hence, it is very important to keep tabs on the symptoms of this disease and most importantly, take as much as preventative methods as possible.You need to be really cautious when getting blood from someone or getting a medicine injected in to your body.There is no vaccination that can save you from this disease. Preventive measures and watching out for the symptoms would be wise steps to take.

While a receding hairline may be easier to deal with and hopefully slow down or even reverse, localized hair loss on the other hand is a lot trickier to deal with, even for men.

Massive localized loss of hair is usually caused by disease or as in the case of a condition known as alopecia areata, by an autoimmune disorder. Spot baldness can either happen in just one location (referred to as alopecia areata monocularis) or in the rather extreme case where one loses all the hair on the entire body-a condition referred to as alopecia areata universalis.

A famous case in point here is where one of the richest men who ever lived, oil magnate, John D. Rockefeller got an extreme case of alopecia that saw him lose all of the hair on his face including eyebrows and eyelashes. His doctors linked it to his extreme anxiety that had something to do with the running of his vast oil and petroleum interests. Another famous person to suffer from severe hair loss is well-known Italian soccer referee Pierluigi Collina.

What makes the treatment of localized hair loss so difficult is the general rule about hair loss which states that the more severe the loss of the hair, the more difficult recovery and growth of hair again will be.

Admittedly, there are cases where surgery has been tried and has proved successful although not in all cases. Failure can be a great disappointment because any kind of surgery does not usually come cheap. Let alone the highly specialized one required to deal with hair loss. Surgical methods used usually include the hair transplantation method. In this procedure hair-producing follicles are taken from the back and the sides of the head and then injected into bald or thinning areas.

A lot of success has also been recorded with certain natural hair loss products. In some tests whole localized areas have seen a complete recovery in hair growth. Admittedly not all natural products have been successful. One has to first find a way of confirming that the product they are dealing with is indeed natural as promoters keen to sell their products will often label them natural, when the truth is that they are not.

Secondly it is advisable that you opt for a natural product whose genuine independent test results you can obtain. Or at the very least, genuine third party case studies showing the conditions under which tests were carried out and the results.

Best Rest Intervals for Strength Gain

Research has shown that multiple sets per exercise are more effective than single sets for developing strength. Maximal strength gains are also dependent on the ability to maintain the same number of repetitions per set. This will vary greatly with the rest interval between sets.

The amount of weight lifted is the key in deciding rest intervals for strength training. For loads less than 90% of 1 repetition maximum, 3-5 minutes between sets is usually recommended. If you are lifting to test maximal strength then a 1-2 minute rest interval is more conducive.

Those involved in power training should take at least 3 minutes between sets or longer until complete recovery occurs. Muscular endurance training requires much shorter intervals between sets, perhaps as low as 30 seconds.

The length of rest time between weight lifting sets is just one component of a resistance training program. Prescribing the correct rest interval will not necessarily lead to the expected outcome. Other factor necessary to success are proper lifting technique, adequate rest from one work out to the next, weight load, speed of lifting, concentric versus eccentric work and proper nutrition.

Prescribing the proper rest interval is, however, very important. Increasing or decreasing a rest interval could mean the difference between the participant being fully rested before the next lift or not. It could also induce changes in anabolic hormones such as growth hormone.

Remember, rest intervals must be carefully analyzed but they are not the only factor to consider. All relevant components of a good strength training program must be be addressed if you want to reach your strength potential.

Physical therapy is most often prescribed for patients with permanent disabilities, recovering from a major injury or accident, or suffering from conditions such as arthritis or lower back pain. Some diseases or conditions can impair patients to a degree that a physical therapist must teach the patient to function with the limitations of the condition. Under the guidance of a therapist, patients can regain a major share of their mobility, achieve flexibility, and acquire balance and coordination. At its very core, physical therapy can help significant improve the overall fitness and health of a patient.As with any treatment, the effectiveness of physical therapy requires the full participation and adherence to the physical therapy treatment. Often, patients become proficient in their exercise regimen and make the assumption their recovery can be accomplished without the support and guidance of their physical therapist. Such decisions can actually cause more damage to the existing injuries. True physical therapy requires time and patience to achieve the best results.Monitoring a patient %26#39;s progress, trained therapists can correct any errors in posturing or practice by the patient. Therapists will often make adjustments to the exercise program as the patient improves in health and strength. Complete recovery is achieved through diligence, compliance, and dedication, which requires continued interactive between the patient and therapist.During treatment, a physical therapist may use a combination of passive and active methods to bring about pain relief. These include heat/ice packs, ultrasound, low-impact aerobic conditioning, and stretching, to name a few. TENS therapy is also an effective tool to manage pain. The small, battery-operated device delivers low-voltage electrical currents through the skin via electrodes placed near the source of pain. The electricity from the electrodes stimulates nerves in the affected area, sending signals to the brain that “scramble” normal pain perception.One of the most common ailments for those seeking physical therapy is back pain. According to the American Chiropractic Association, 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any give time. It is one of the most common reasons for missed work and is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor %26#39;s office.A series of complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, the back can easily experience a sprain or ruptured disk. Sometimes the simplest of movements, such as bending over to pick a pencil up off of the floor, can have painful results. Poor posture, obesity, and stress can also cause or complicate back pain.While there is no single type of physical therapy which can alleviate chronic back pain, it can offer a world of benefits. It can also prevent further problems before they arise. Overall, physical therapy can increase function and improve the quality of life for someone suffering from back pain.Rather than promising an instant “cure all,” physical therapy teacher patients how to manage their own pain. Patients learn to cope with the pain while minimizing the impact of the pain in their lives. The best results for physical therapy come as a result of patients who can take control of their condition and not expect a miracle cure.Increasing function and improving quality of life through movement is the heart of PT, according to Dr. Scott Fisherman, Chief of the Division of Pain Medicine and Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of California, Davis. After gaining a good perspective on a patient %26#39;s overall health, attitude, and daily routine, the therapist can judge a patient %26#39;s progress and control over his or her own pain.Together, the patient and therapist will map out a program of activities designed to address each of the impairments caused by the pain. The best sign of success of physical therapy is a noticeable improvement in a patient %26#39;s daily activities and the ability to reclaim a normal routine.

Unlike normal blog postings dealing with Choices, Ethics, and Consequences - my topics as a professional motivational speaker - it seemed appropriate today to speak of my complete recovery from prostate cancer hoping that it might help others who are faced with decisions on prostate cancer treatment.

Discovering I had prostate cancer at the age of 47 was almost an accident and certainly not something that in any way I expected. I had no symptoms - none whatsoever. In layman’s terms, everything seemed to work fine. So the discovery of prostate cancer was quite accidental. It seems I had gone to my doctor simply requesting a pill (propecia - a drug to reduce hair loss). She required I have a blood test, as this drug would have an effect on my PSA. Frankly, all that was greek to me…as I didn’t know what PSA was and had never had it checked. I hated needles - had always said I was allergic to them - hence I avoided being stuck as much as I could. But on this day in November 2004 I decided to take the plunge - have my blood checked - and get the prescription.

Two days later I got a call while out of town saying that all the lab work was fine except that my PSA was a bit elevated - it was 4.58 and for someone my age that was high. My doctor referred me to a Urologist. The appointment was set.

Of course I had some concern, but after all, all the plumbing seem to work fine and I had no symptoms, so surely there was no problem. The Urologist’s exam was routine - in fact he said he thought I had nothing to worry about as he felt nothing abnormal. But, to be on the safe side he schedule a biopsy. Being fearful of needles (and a biopsy is the ultimate needle) I asked if it would hurt. His response, “Most men don’t really feel a thing.” That was a lie! Looking back, I would have asked for good drugs as that was the most painful experience I can recall.

Several days following the biopsy I received the results. Prostate Cancer! I had a Gleason score of 6 and 30% of one side of my prostate was cancerous. My heart sank as I received the news. How could I, a 47 year old healthy male, with no other medical issues have prostate cancer? And, how amazing that it was caught by a simple test that my well versed female doctor required. Looking back, her diligence saved my life.

What next?

My local doctor wanted to schedule surgery immediately. He said I had four options: (1) Radical prostotectemy (traditional surgery); (2) Radiation; (3) Hormone therapy and/or (4) Watch and wait. Again, he recommended surgery. My immediate question was how many of the surgeries that he was suggesting did he do weekly or monthly. The number was low. In the back of my mind I thought, “Hum, maybe I need someone who isn’t so surgery happy and who does this delicate removal frequently.” I was like learning to play golf - I would prefer to learn from someone who plays daily than learn from a weekend hacker. Maybe that analogy seems harsh, but after all the decision made would have lasting and profound effects.

Following the meeting with the Urologist, and after telling my family (who thought I was joking), I spent some time in research. First thing I found - based on my diagnosis - I had time to consider carefully my options. Not that nothing should be done, but I didn’t have to rush into any hasty decisions. Prostate cancer generally is slow in it’s progression. CAUTION - do not use my experience as a crutch to avoid treatment (I witnessed my father-in-law die from complications from prostate cancer), rather, seek competent medical help in making your treatment decisions.

Options Considered:

Watch and wait. Well for several months I did just that. I researched - changed my diet - considered the possibility that I could reverse what existed and even reduce the cancer. I began a regiment of daily intake of cottage cheese and flax seed oil. For a short time I actually saw a decrease in my PSA; however, that was short lived. What I did learn was that diet was important - not only for general well being - but an effective tool in promoting a cancer free body. This was valuable time in that it gave me the opportunity to consider all my options.

Radiation Therapy. Not really an option for me. While I talked with a man in his late 60’s to early 70’s who had outstanding results using focused radiation (proton therapy I think it was called), the reality is - once you opt for radiation and the tissue is destroyed, if prostate cancer returns, it cannot be surgically removed. Hence the best advice I received was, in my case, this would not be a practical option. By the way information on proton treatment can be found at http://www.protons.com/ or at http://www.llu.edu/. The people I talked with who had used this treatment were extremely pleased with the level of care they received and the overall outcome.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). In my search for the right treatment, I spent much time in considering this alternative. There were three practical objectives I wished to accomplish with whatever treatment I selected: (1) Cancer elimination, (2) Minimal issues with incontinence (preferably none) and (3) minimal issues with erectile function (again, preferably none). Based on my Gleason score and prostate cancer diagnosis, it seemed that this treatment would be viable. For research information visit http://www.ushifu.com/. As part of my consideration I met with Dr. George Suarez, Medical Director for USHifu. He reviewed my medical background and was kind in taking the time to discuss with me my options using this new prostate cancer treatment. Dr. Suarez took the time to explain all my options and how, if I elected, HIFU could be effective while meeting my three objectives. My only resistance was, at the time, it was not an option yet approved by the FDA in the United States, hence I would have to seek the treatment outside the scope of my medical insurance outside of the country. While I gave this serious consideration, I ultimately decided to go another route.

Radical Prostatectomy. All of the possibilities above, brought me back to the original suggestion - SURGERY. The issue I had was what kind and who would perform it. Since I had the time to research I discovered (through the wonder of the Internet) this, then, new procedure called a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. Hum…seemed that needed more study. Of course, at the time, Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute was recognized as one of the best in the world for prostate cancer research and study. After careful consideration I contacted Johns Hopkins inquiring about this seemingly new procedure - using the daVinci Surgical System. www.urology.jhu.edu/MIS/daVinci/

The folks at Johns Hopkins could not have been more caring and helpful as I sought all my treatment options. Of course, they reviewed my file carefully and spent all the time I wanted and needed to evaluate my options. Dr. Li-Ming Su was my surgeon and my hat is off to him and his skill and patience. In the end, one thing was clear - all other options being equal - surgical removal was still the “gold standard” in the fight against prostate cancer. Likewise, it appeared that this robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy would meet my three objectives.

The surgery went fine - of course I don’t remember a thing - so all I can base it on what the Doctor’s report. Initially the report indicated that the cancer was contained in the prostate and the removal should yield me “cancer free.” Of course this was to be confirmed later from lab reports. The first several days following surgery were not pleasant, but tolerable. Within three days, I boarded a plane and flew home to North Carolina - travel was not a big issue. The most discomforting thing following surgery was the catheter - which remained in for three weeks.

Outcome. Within four weeks following surgery I boarded a plane to Dallas, TX to begin a new job. My energy level was back and I had minimal incontinence isses with subsided within another three weeks. Within seven weeks of surgery incontinence was not an issue. Erecticle function returned within three months (with the aid of medication) and returned to full function (without medication) within twelve months.

Now it’s been two years since surgery and all three objective have been achieved. Life is normal. I am cancer free. My sincere thanks to all who were there for me as I sought out the treatment that was right for me. I would not have the opportunity to function as a motivational speaker today if it were not for the skill and help of the fine folks at Johns Hopkins. While printing such personal items for all to read may seem (to some) out there! I feel that, perhaps, others who find themselves diagnosed with prostate cancer may learn from my experience. If you find this helpful, but still need to talk - please visit my web site: http://www.chuckgallagher.com/ and contact me through that portal. I’ll be happy to talk with you via e-mail or phone.

Ayurvedic relief from addictions like drugs, alcohol, smoking and over eating helps people come back to enjoying their life without addictions to any harmful substances. Ayurveda is unique system of lifestyle that helps people lead healthy lives. Ayurvedic addiction recovery therapies work with the willpower of the person.

As a first step to recover from the addiction, the person must identify he is slave to an addiction and should have a desire to recover from alcohol addiction, drug addiction or addiction to smoking. Over eating is also a behavioral problem that has far reaching consequences on one’s health.

One detrimental factor to free one from addictions is the withdrawal symptoms. The addicts feel they are punished for abandoning the use of drugs, alcohol or cigarette.

Ayurveda approaches this problem systematically and Ayurvedic system of cure from addictions is based on treating the cause instead of symptoms. The alcohol consumption or smoking is only a symptom. Underlying reasons can be stress or mental tension. The person tries to dissolve his worries in alcohol, but he or she ends up more worried and disheartened.

Ayurveda aims at removing the root cause of the addiction. Ayurveda aims at replacing the addictive behavior with some constructive behavior. For instance, smokers will be given herbal cigarettes, which satisfy their urge to smoke, but removes the toxins added to their body.

This herbal approach is supplemented with counseling, guided meditation, massage therapy, aromatherapy, etc which help in complete recovery of the addiction without withdrawal symptoms.

The inertia or the mental conditioning of the person to give up the habit is the first thing that needs attention.

Ayurveda also recommends personalized treatment programs based on the physical constitution of the person. Physical constitution, called DOSHA in Ayurvedic terms gives clues to effectiveness in recovery from any addictions.

Each type of persons have specific herbal formulations that help in removing toxic wastes accumulated to the body, strengthen internal tissues and easily recover the person from addiction.

The important factor is the mental preparedness of the person to accept he/she has some addictions and honest desire to recover. After getting the person in right mental condition, it is easy to recover from any life-threatening bad habits.