The Leg Thing http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/ Living with HSP. en Copyright 2008 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:48:12 +1100 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss High-tech wheelchairs Via Digg : a gathering of hi-tech wheelchairs. ]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/12/hightech_wheelchairs.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/12/hightech_wheelchairs.html journal Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:48:12 +1100 Get up and walk
Think you're stuck in a wheelchair? You may not be. Great idea.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/12/get_up_and_walk.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/12/get_up_and_walk.html journal Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:57:00 +1100 Virtual walking aid Via Engadget : Israeli scientists have developed a virtual reality system to aid the walking of MS sufferers, those with Parkinson's Disease and many other conditions affecting gait. Looks fantastic.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/09/virtual_walking_aid.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/09/virtual_walking_aid.html journal Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:38:08 +1100 Split-belt treadmill Via CNN Health : The discovery that separate nerve networks are responsible for how each leg moves has led to an intriguing piece of fitness equipment - a split-belt treadmill. The separate belts can be moved at different speeds to one another - even in different directions - in order to force the brain to adjust the way you walk. Although it was originally designed to aid stroke victims, I suspect it has a far greater range of potential uses. Looks great.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/08/splitbelt_treadmill.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/08/splitbelt_treadmill.html journal Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:32:25 +1100 Scifit Low Support Boots
These look great. Scifit Low Support Boots, designed to prevent your feet from slipping off the pedals (of a stationary cycle). Actually, the entire product range looks good. NB : the video shows the retro-fit version.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/08/scifit_low_support_boots.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/08/scifit_low_support_boots.html journal Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:01:53 +1100 Learning to walk Via Digg : a very interesting article on the way shoes change the way we walk.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/07/learning_to_walk.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/07/learning_to_walk.html journal Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:34:48 +1100 The benefits of fresh coffee I love coffee. The aroma, the preparation, the taste, the associated relaxation. It's a beautiful thing. Over the past couple of years my only real concern has been the impact of coffee consumption on the stiffness of my legs. In a perverse way, during the colder parts of the year (when I typically have more hot drinks), coffee causes my legs to seize up for an hour or two. 1 cup of coffee, 1 hour of frustration (and all of the abovementioned benefits, of course). I can live with that. Yesterday, however, I decided to invest in a coffee grinder (they were on sale). The process of coffee preparation (which I love) gets longer, the house smells wonderful and the end result tastes better. Perfect. This morning was my first use of this wonderful new toy. In addition to the great smell of coffee came an unexpected - and wonderful - bonus; no seizing up. No change at all. Perhaps there was an ingredient in the pre-ground coffee I used to purchase that simply didn't agree with me. I'm curious, so a little investigation is in order. Whatever it is though, I love the fact that it's no longer there. All the benefits, none of the drawbacks. Fantastic. ]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/06/the_benefits_of_fresh_coffee.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/06/the_benefits_of_fresh_coffee.html journal Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:03:16 +1100 Rat race speeding up ABC.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/05/rat_race_speeding_up.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/05/rat_race_speeding_up.html journal Thu, 03 May 2007 10:04:31 +1100 Just enough Over the past couple of years I've dramatically reduced both my alcohol and caffeine intake. The major culprits were wine and coffee, and the quantities were, well, substantial. These days I only have a drink every couple of months (and usually only a glass or two), and a cup of coffee every few days. There were several reasons for the cutbacks. One is that if I walk up to a bar and order a pint, it'll undoubtedly be a half by the time I get back to my seat. This sort of thing does not promote long term relationships with many publicans. Another is my almost obsessive hobby of lifting weights. If there's going to be something heavy over my head, I don't wish to be drunk or wired at the time. Spotters present or not. I did, however, notice a comfortable medium last night. A point at which the impact of a cup of coffee and a glass of wine a few hours later met in a positive way. Walking became a little easier. This doesn't last long, as the caffeine is gradually processed by the body and the solitary drink isn't exactly enough to become rolling drunk. Nonetheless, for a brief period, everything just felt better. Not perfect by any means, but better. Certainly something to remember.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/03/just_enough.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/03/just_enough.html journal Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:14:24 +1100 The WL-16IV Now this looks a lot more fun than a wheelchair.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/03/the_wl16iv.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/03/the_wl16iv.html Favourites journal Wed, 07 Mar 2007 19:55:34 +1100 Getting on your nerves Medical News Today points to an interesting study on the regeneration of peripheral nerves. According to the article :
This research may lead to new therapies that manipulate RNAi to treat people with damaged nerves resulting from degenerative disorders and injury.
Sounds great.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/02/getting_on_your_nerves.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/02/getting_on_your_nerves.html journal studies Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:40:48 +1100 Stem cell bank opens From the Evening Standard :
Sir Richard Branson has launched a business offering parents the chance to store their child's stem cells. For a one-off payment of £1,500, the Virgin Health Bank will keep the cells after they are collected at birth from the umbilical cord.
Great news. ]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/02/stem_cell_bank_opens.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/02/stem_cell_bank_opens.html journal studies Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:28:36 +1100 Muscle type IIX First posted on Straight to the Bar : Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have been studying mice with a dominance of muscle type IIX, which allows them to run faster and maintain higher workrates than other mice. The genetic 'switch' which is responsible for forming this muscle type - as discussed (summary only, subscription required for full article) in the January 2007 issue of Cell Metabolism - brings us one step closer to developing drugs to change the composition of muscle; great for boosting strength in the elderly and those with muscle wasting diseases. Definitely one to keep an eye on.]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/01/muscle_type_iix.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/01/muscle_type_iix.html journal Sat, 06 Jan 2007 22:42:34 +1100 No better, no worse I'm looking forward to 2007 - the new year always invokes positive feelings for me (as many things do, I'm a fairly positive person). One thing that I am looking forward to is seeing whether my HSP remains on its slow, steady course or takes a major turning at some point. For the better, of course. Over the past year or so - most of which has been spent in sunny Sydney, Australia - it doesn't seem to have changed. Heat, cold, caffeine and sleep have all had the expected effects; with no major changes from any of them. Will 2007 be any different?]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/01/a_leg_to_stand_on.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2007/01/a_leg_to_stand_on.html journal Sat, 06 Jan 2007 07:08:14 +1100 Blepherospasm Blepherospasm, which is just a fancy name for an eye twitch. Irritaing thing, started a few days ago. So far the most useful advice I've come across is along the lines of 'ignore it, it will probably go away naturally in a week or so'. It seems as though this apparently simple condition (which is commonly thought to result from stress, caffeine or a lack of sleep) is just one more medical mystery to add to the same pile as hiccups. What exactly causes them?]]> http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2006/10/blepherospasm.html http://www.straighttothebar.com/tlt/2006/10/blepherospasm.html journal Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:56:29 +1100