Brain scans suggest many of the areas normally involved in pain response are also activated by amorous thoughts.
Stanford University researchers gave 15 students mild doses of pain, while checking if they were distracted by gazing at photos of their beloved.
They recruited a dozen students who were all in the first nine months of a relationship, defined as “the first phase of intense love”.
Each was asked to bring in a picture of the object of their affection and photos of what they deemed an equally attractive acquaintance.
While their brains were scanned, they were shown these pictures, while a computer controlled heat pad placed in the palm of their hand was set up to cause them mild pain.
They found that viewing the picture of their beloved reduced perceptions of pain much more than looking at the image of the acquaintance.
Dr Jarred Younger, one of the researchers involved, said that the “love-induced analgesia” appeared to involve more primitive functions of the brain, working in a similar way to opioid painkillers.
“One of the key sites is the nucleus accumbens, a key reward addiction centre for opioids, cocaine and other drugs of abuse.
“The region tells the brain that you really need to keep doing this.”
Professor Paul Gilbert, a neuropsychologist from the University of Derby, said that the relationship between emotional states and the perception of pain was clear.
He said: “One example is a footballer who has suffered quite a painful injury, but who is able to continue playing because of his emotionally charged state.”
He added that while the effect noticed by the Stanford researchers might only be short-lived in the early stages of a love affair, it may well be replaced by something similar later in a relationship, with a sense of comfort and wellbeing generating the release of endorphins.
“It’s important to recognise that people who feel alone and depressed may have very low pain thresholds, whereas the reverse can be true for people who feel secure and cared for.
“This may well be an issue for the health service, as patients are sometimes rushed through the system, and perhaps there isn’t this focus on caring that might have existed once.”
So there we have it – spending time with people you love will make you feel better.
20th October, 2010 - Posted by admin - No Comments
As an osteopath it is easy to become fixated on muscles, bones and joints but people and health problems are about much more than simply a musculoskeletal system plus a set of organs. I try to consider emotional and mental health as much as possible, but I must admit that I have never really thought about the impacts of sound on health.
This video from TED.com is a concise but very interesting introduction to the world of sound health. I recommend you find 7 minutes to watch it, and then find some peace and quiet!
19th October, 2010 - Posted by admin - No Comments
A study by Florida State University has indicated that eating watermelon can protect against prehypertension, a precursor of cardiovascular disease.
9 Subjects were given L-citrulline/L-arginine amino acid, a compound extracted from watermelon, for 6 weeks. The result was reduced blood pressure in all participants.
FSU Assistant Professor Arturo Figueroa talked about the study, saying: “We are the first to document improved aortic hemodynamics in prehypertensive but otherwise healthy middle-aged men and women receiving therapeutic doses of watermelon,” adding that “These findings suggest that this ‘functional food’ has a vasodilatory effect, and one that may prevent prehypertension from progressing to full-blown hypertension, a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.”
Figueroa explained why watermelon was selected for the study: “Watermelon is the richest edible natural source of L-citrulline, which is closely related to L-arginine, the amino acid required for the formation of nitric oxide essential to the regulation of vascular tone and healthy blood pressure.”
13th October, 2010 - Posted by admin - No Comments
Drivers in the London who fail to wear seatbelts correctly are at risk of injury according to the British Osteopathic Association (BOA). While most people1 are fully aware that wearing a seatbelt saves lives, the majority are not aware that the way they sit in a car plays a huge part in their personal safety.
The results of a survey by the BOA2, released ahead of Back Care Awareness Week (11-15 October,) has found one fifth (19%) of drivers in London sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash. To be effective, the belt should be sitting over the bones of the pelvis and not the stomach preventing internal injuries and in contact with the shoulder to prevent serious neck injury. Sitting too far from the belt can often lead to submarining – where the occupant slips under the belt which can cause catastrophic injuries.
Forty four percent (45%) of all London drivers do not drive in a position where their head is close enough to the head restraint or they sit too far back for their seatbelt to be effective, so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury. Furthermore, only 5.0% of people adjust the head restraint regularly, despite the fact that most people travel in a variety of vehicles (as drivers, passengers and in taxis for example) and 45% said they never adjusted their head rest at all.
Head restraints work by catching and supporting the head in the event of a rear end crash and so reduce the chance of permanent soft tissue damage. A correctly adjusted head restraint should be as close to the back of the head as possible and as high as the top of the occupant’s head, meaning head movement in relation to their body is reduced as the car and seat is punted forward when hit from behind. In addition the drivers’ seat should be at the correct distance so that a properly positioned seat belt is low across the hips and pelvis, with the shoulder belt firmly across the chest and collarbone.
Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 16.0 % who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel. Drivers with a gap of less than 12 inches between themselves and the steering wheel when driving are at risk of receiving the full force of an airbag deploying in a crash involving the front of the vehicle.
Airbags have to inflate very quickly (some at over 200 mph) in order to protect the head and chest of drivers and passengers in the event of a frontal crash. Therefore an airbag needs enough space in front of the steering wheel in order to inflate properly. People who are shorter than around 5′ 2” (1.57m) often sit too close to the steering wheel and may be injured by the inflating airbag. A safe distance is around 12 inches – the size of an A4 piece of paper placed lengthways.
Matthew Avery, Crash Research Manager at Thatcham, said: “Vehicle safety has moved on at a pace with numerous new technologies now available designed to help avoid or mitigate injury during a collision. Whilst many seats and head restraints perform well in protecting the occupant, this research goes to show that too many drivers are still subject to avoidable risks by not taking the time to adjust their head restraints correctly.”
References
1Esure survey published 30/6/2010 found 85% of women always wear seat belts compared with 73% of men
2The research for BOAwas carried out online by Opinion Matters between 14/09/2010 and 20/09/2010amongst a panel resulting in 1435 UK Adult respondents. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines
3The total UK motoring population based on DfT Transport Statistics – 33,522,106 motor vehicles currently licensed as at 2006. 14,816,770 is a projected figure based on the 1435 motorists surveyed
11th October, 2010 - Posted by admin - No Comments
Taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/apasciuto/4842550882/
I came across this Daily Mail excerpt from Ryan Giggs’ autobiography in which he says he uses osteopathy to help prevent injuries, and lists it as one of his secrets of success!
“I’ve always been quite an organised person, particularly since turning 30, which has been a big help in prolonging my career. The only injury trouble I’ve had so far have been with my hamstrings, and I decided I needed to do everything I could to stop getting problems. I took up yoga six years ago – no alcohol, practising yoga, seeing an osteopath and having acupuncture have all become part of my routine.
Osteopathy can certainly help to keep sports people in top condition, but regular treatment is something we can all benefit from. I recommend having a check up and treatment approximately every 6 months to prevent problems developing and help keep you happy and pain free.
Good posture helps to protect your back, helping existing problems recover and preventing further problems developing. It takes time to achieve good posture but it can be done by working with your osteopath, adopting good habits and doing some simple exercises.
Your head, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles should be in a line (see diagram A – above).
You should be looking straight ahead, without your chin tucked down or pointing up.
Try to stand relaxed, but gently contracting the abdominal muscles.
Your shoulders should be square, not rounded.
Hold your pelvis in mid-position with a slight hollow in the low back.
Keep your knees relaxed, not locked straight.
Place your feet a few inches apart with your weight evenly distributed.
Don’t force yourself to stand up straight! Although it may feel a little strange at first, this should be a relaxed posture rather then something you have to work hard to maintain.
This position may feel unnatural if you have not had good posture for a while, but it becomes easier to maintain with practice. Whenever you think you may be slouching, correct your posture. Try to remember to check your posture as often as you can. Work at holding this posture while walking as well, and you will soon start to notice an improvement.
You may also find that treatment from your osteopath will help you to improve your posture by loosening of tight muscles and stiff joints.
This is for general guidance only. For specific advice tailored to your body shape and condition, please seek advice from a qualified osteopath.
Sarah is great at putting you at your ease by explaining the treatment. She has greatly improved a chronic condition and given advice on self care. I cannot recommend her more highly. — Ms D
I had a severe spinal injury in November and could not walk and sit down. It was the worse pain that I have ever experienced. I went to my GP, but all they did was prescribe painkillers. I was adviced by friends to see an Ashlins and immediately seen by Sarah, who correctly diagnosed my injury as a slipped disc. She then gave me the right amount of treatment which supported the healing and improvement of my back — David Omari, East London
