An expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) says massage therapy can lower blood pressure, help prevent colds, enhance skin tone and more.

Licensed Massage Therapist Arnold Kelly, who provides massage therapy at the Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic at the UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center, said massage provides two types of benefits: immediate and cumulative.

“Immediately following massage, you can experience reduced tightness in the muscles, improved blood flow and breathing, plus reduced anxiety and stress,” Arnold explained.

“Over the long-term, the benefits of massage accumulate; massage can increase a person’s range of motion, strengthen the immune system and provide an improved sense of well-being,” Arnold added.

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A new study has found scientific evidence to prove a long-derided advertising slogan which claimed that chewing gum speeds up reactions and increases alertness.

Researchers from the National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Japan, and other centers, found that reaction times are up to 10 per cent faster while chewing gum, and that as many as eight different areas of the brain are affected, the Independent reported.

One theory is that chewing increases arousal and leads to temporary improvements in blood flow to the brain, which may help to explain its widespread use among successful football managers, most notably Alex Ferguson.

Volunteers were tested while chewing or not chewing gum. The gum used was flavourless to avoid distractions. The brains of the men and women were also scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to see which areas were active.

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Flu and other viruses are wreaking havoc on people’s busy lives and in desperate hope to keep viruses at bay, many people are wondering if some cold myths are true.

Dr. Andrew Bonwit, pediatric infectious disease expert at Loyola University Health System, addresses 10 of the most common notions concerning colds and flu.

If I go outside with my hair wet I’ll catch a cold: Fiction

“Colds come from viruses, not from wet hair. It’s probably not a good idea to get chilled so it’s best to dress appropriately when heading outside in the cold,” Bonwit said.

Flu vaccines cause the flu: Fiction

“The flu shot is an inactive form of the virus, so it is impossible to get the flu from the flu shot. There may be some minor reactions, usually muscle soreness at the injection site. The nasal drop does contain the live virus and so is not recommended for vulnerable patients. Still, the chances of getting the flu from the nasal drop are very slight,” Bonwit said.

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Orthopaedics expert, Dr VV Prasad answers readers’ questions on bone health. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every Monday.

This week’s answers:

Respected sir, i detected arthritis by docter & under treatment. Is it can be treatment or not. Please advising me thank you sir
gambhir

Dear sir, What is your age? If your arthritis is because of old age it cant be cured. Pain can be kept under control only.

Doctor,
I am age 45 yrs and I have severe knee pain especially when I climb the stairs. I have shown to orthopedic doctors but he has suggested me it is due to lack of calcium in the body. I had taken calcium tablets for continuous 3 months but at that time I got relief. Now the pain has started again.
Kindly suggest some remedies.
Thanks and regards,
Sarala

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