The Globe just ran an article citing a study that suggests that inflammation may be the body’s way of healing an injury and we shouldn’t mess with it.
Upon reflection, I’d have to say I agree. If the body wants to do something in order to heal itself, I say let it do it. Most of what we humans do in such a situation is done so we can get back to a desired activity, whether it’s work or the next game in the tournament. Does a therapy really help the healing process, or just alleviate the symptoms so we can get back in the game?
Standard disclaimer: I’m not any kind of medical practitioner, nor am I a fitness professional. I’m just a guy on the internet with an opinion who hopes that people start asking questions and finding the most natural way to do things with their bodies, whether it goes with or against established practice.
Breaking news: The End of Pilates as We Know It?
According to The Globe and Mail, Pilates is no longer on the Hot List of workout routines. To most of us, this isn’t a big deal, as Pilates is just another workout fad to most people … just like Step Aerobics, Jazzercise and Tae Bo.
So what does RnR have to say about this? Let’s use point form, because I’m in a hurry!
- People who advocate slow, careful, introspective fitness correction are like mechanics who insist that people know how their car works, whereas most folks just want to drive the damn thing. (This analogy has less power in these days of computerized cars, of course) Don’t tell me how to find my center, I just want to feel the burn, baby!
- The hotness of an exercise routine has less to do with its value than its appeal. In other words, it only has to do enough good to satisfy a basic feel-good factor. After that, it has to give people what they want at that slice in time. If their wants change, they move on.
- An important factor in making a routine “hot” is how people feel when telling their friends about what they do. Trust me, I don’t tell people I’m doing Yiquan or Mizongyi when they ask what I’m up to — “tai chi” will do, and that’s acceptable only because I’m over forty.
- Some fads may do a lot of good, while routines viewed as “old school” and “normal” may not be optimal.
- As long as people have short attention spans, serious “refine and repeat” fitness routines that require patience and introspection will never be popular.
Thoughts?
Try joining your palms together.
It works for me. First the palms warm up, then the fingers. If it’s too cold for the fingers to warm up, I hold the fingers of one hand in the palm of the other. It works for the soles of my feet too, but I have to be sitting or lying down. In socks or bare feet. It helps if you’ve gotten into the habit of drinking warm drinks or eating warm food.