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Biotech Science

Cobblestones are Good for You 88

Posted by timothy from the they-worked-for-jack-the-ripper dept.
pin_gween writes "Need to lose weight, lower blood pressure, help your balance? The Oregon Research Institute reports that walking on 'cobblestone mat surface resulted in significant reductions in blood pressure and improvements in balance and physical performance.' The benefits may have foundations in 'the principles of reflexology, in that the uneven surface of the cobblestones stimulate and regulate "acupoints" located on the soles of the feet.' Although the study was conducted with elderly patients, no reason to think it can't help most folks."
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Cobblestones are Good for You More

Cobblestones are Good for You

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  • ....'cobblestone texture' treadmills, being sold on late night cable to little old ladies with an inheritance to blow.

  • Accupressure? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by jericho4.0 ( 565125 ) on Monday July 11, 2005 @10:05PM (#13039035)
    Yeah. I'll take that as a hypothesis when I see any evidence of it, you know, actually working.

    ORI is a pretty solid group, usually.

  • I expect more out of people (Score:5, Insightful)

    by xutopia ( 469129 ) on Monday July 11, 2005 @10:19PM (#13039104) Homepage
    "The benefits may have foundations in 'the principles of reflexology, in that the uneven surface of the cobblestones stimulate and regulate "acupoints" located on the soles of the feet.'"

    How about something less far fetched? Like "uneven paveway makes you use your muscles more"... Why do we always have to explain things with divine or unexplained phenomenons when simple ideas work just as well?

    • This does sound quite full of big words to impress people. However, it does stand to simple logic that a rougher surface will lead to better foot care. The way I would understand it, constantly having your feet pressured every which way is kind of like having a constant foot massage, stimulating better blood, lymph flow etc...
    • Pretty simply, because it doesn't work. The reason they explain it using divine or unexplained phenomenons is because they are not scientifically provable. The most likely explanation for this "cobblestone" bunk is that it's pure placebo or something that doesn't involve "reflexology" is at work. I'd like to see double-blind placebo-controlled studies that prove the validity of this practice. Also, if you can prove reflexology works, you can win $1,000,000USD from the James Randi Educational Foundation ( h [randi.org.]
      • I thought he was going after homeopathy. My ex-girlfriend was running a high fever but she refused to take off the shelf fever medication instead opting for the homeopathic fever medication her mother had provided. It scared me that night because I had an inkling of an idea what she was taking (her fever was 103F and her heart rate was well over 100bpm), but it freaked the hell out of me when I looked up exaclty what homeopathic meant.

        Her mother, by the way, is a Swedish ex-nurse who now runs a reflexology practice out of her home. The whole lot is batty as hell. The girlfriend only tried to stab me on three different occasions while I was kicking her out. She told me earlier on that everyone in her family had mental problems (father's a bipolar math professor, she's bipolar too) but you're likely to get a chair thrown at you if you try to argue the veracity of homeopathy or reflexology (yes, this happened a few times too).

        I've since learned to associate vehement spirituality with mental instability. Keeps me from getting clubbed or excorsized cause those things fucking hurt.
        • Randi actually goes for anything Paranormal/Supernatural, which reflexology, homeopathy, ghosts, psychics, etc. all fall under. He did do a preliminary on homeopathy though (which failed), IIRC, whereas I don't believe he has had anyone challenge him with reflexology (wonder why?)
          • "ghosts, psychics, etc."

            at first i read that as "ghosts, physics, etc." that made me laugh :)

            this page [ming.tv] has a portion of the new scientist article "13 things that don't make sense" that in part covers some interesting findings on homeopathy. (#4) i would have linked to the original article, but it cuts off shortly and asks you to subscribe.

            anyway, it seems to me that the majority of places employing cobblestone as a walking surface usually have a pleasant atmosphere as well. that also might have somethin
          • How do you define supernatural?

            I've written some brief notes [www.iki.fi] on the question, but to summarize, I think the word is an oxymoron because 'nature' means everything that there is. Therefore there's nothing outside it. On the other hand, science is not (yet) complete, and there are plenty of things in nature that we know they exist, but we can't fully explain (for example ball lightning).

            • From the challenge FAQ at randi.org [randi.org]:

              2.2. What do you mean by "paranormal"?

              This is a remarkably difficult word to define correctly.

              Webster's Online Dictionary defines it as "not scientifically explainable; supernatural", and it defines "supernatural" as, "of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe; departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature; attributed to an invisible agent (as a ghost or spirit)".

              Past JREF Chall

              • The summary to me seems to be that they've already ruled out things that science has already proved nonexistent, and they define paranormal as something that science cannot explain but may be real nevertheless.

                I like the idea from a scientific point of view, but I hate the wording. When we see something unexpected in the physics lab, we don't immediately think of it as 'paranormal', even though it fulfills the same conditions as those outlined by JREF. For example, before quantum theory, the photoelecric

        • I've since learned to associate vehement spirituality with mental instability.

          When you talk to God, it's called prayer. When God talks to you, it's called schizophrenia.
      • Double-blind placebo-controlled?
        And tell me, dear sir, how are you supposed to blind the patient so they know if they are walking on cobblestone or not?
        What exactly is the placebo in question? They had a control group walking on non-cobblestone, and that's as good as you can do in this case. Design the better experiment and put it up if you want to really be modded informative!
    • It would be neat to take this a step further and make a treadmill out of cobblestone textured rubber. That or scientifically designed texture similar to cobblestone. I can't see this being to good on the knees though.
      • Or you could just go somewhere with cobblestone pavement and go for a run...

        Seriously, you could even make a real cobblestone-covered treadmill if you tried. That would be interesting.
      • It would be neat to take this a step further and make a treadmill out of cobblestone textured rubber.

        I don't think this will work out. When you are running on real cobblestones, you can keep track of the ground ahead of you to avoid stumbling. You can't do that on a treadmill, it isn't long enough. And if the pseudo-cobblestones are shallow or regular enough to prevent stumbling, won't that also remove much of the benefit?

    • I had much the same thought (Score:3, Insightful)

      by jd ( 1658 )
      It would put more stress on the muscles (which helps), it would also exercise those parts of the brain handling balance (which will also help). If pressure has anything to do with it at all, it may (just may) help massage the feet, which may in turn account for the improved circulation. All of the above will also marginally increase the blood flow to the feet, which may also help.

      There are plenty of other possibilities, too. Pressure generates heat and heat leads to the opening of capiliaries. Could the b

    • How about something less far fetched? Like "uneven paveway makes you use your muscles more"... Why do we always have to explain things with divine or unexplained phenomenons when simple ideas work just as well?

      Why? Recently, a lot of studies have demonstrated that accupunture has a measureable effect on pain management.

      A lot of traditional herbals are being shown to have efficacy.

      I'm not saying one should trade in a doctor for a shaman, but western medicine is finally figuring out that some of the cur

      • Personal experience:

        We got a treadmill. It is great for dialing in your heart rate. Adjust your speed in 1/10 of MPH increments and the incline with 1/2 degree resolution. Want 145 BPM and the monitor shows 139? It's easy, just speed up 1/10th MPH.

        Problem is, it is smooth, very smooth, IOW boring as far as your body is concerned.

        After months of watching TV while running on the 'mill, the weather was looking good and I got a wild hair and decided to run "in the wild". I ran the same distance(by GPS)
      • Summarily dismissing the findings is just as meaningless as blind belief in the fact that it can't be helpful.

        He's not dismissing the findings, he's dismissing one explanation of the findings. Just because some traditional medicine or traditional medical practice is found to work, that doesn't necessarily mean that the traditional explanation of that medicine or process is correct.

      • >Why? Recently, a lot of studies have demonstrated that accupunture has a measureable effect on pain management.

        a) Remember, most 'studies' are PR, not science.
        b) Lookup 'Placebo effect' to see why the fact that something results in improved health doesn't mean it has any direct physiological effect.
        (i.e. just because Accupuncture may improve the health of those who try it doesn't mean that sticking needles into ones skin has any direct physiological effect that is resonsible for said improvements. Ditt

  • How Fitting (Score:5, Insightful)

    by ndansmith ( 582590 ) on Monday July 11, 2005 @10:32PM (#13039151)
    Parts of downtown Portland, OR are paved with cobbelstones taken from old ships (which used the stones for ballast).

    One question, when did Slashdot start posting commercials as stories? "Buy a Cobblestone mat [ori.org]" is the link emblazoned just below the synopsis on the linked page, and the mat is apparently being sold dirrectly by ORI, apparently for profit.

  • How about exercise being good for your feet. That's why I wear simple Chuck Taylors and not fancy shoes anymore. They force your feet to move more and so exercise your feet.

    So, what is the solution? Go barefoot! Take off your shoes when inside and wear simple shoes that force your feet to flex like millions of years of evolution designed your feet to do.
    • So, what is the solution? Go barefoot! Take off your shoes when inside and wear simple shoes that force your feet to flex like millions of years of evolution designed your feet to do.
      You can take that a step further as I do and simply go barefoot most everywhere (weather permitting, which is year-round in California for me). (No, it's not against any law. Details here [barefooters.org].
    • .. Excuse me, but is there anyone here who does not remove shoes when inside?

      Anyway, some advice to indoors-slashdotters: go outside for a moment in the sunshine, and walk around on the green cut grass barefoot. You never need any shoes unless it's cold, or the walking surface hurts or wounds your feet (read: gravel, risk for glass shards, too hot asphalt, etc.)

      And get rid of those socks, right now. I never wear socks indoors, sometimes not even in wintertime.

  • Quack! Don't waste your time/money! (Score:5, Insightful)

    by ziekke ( 553197 ) on Monday July 11, 2005 @10:54PM (#13039243)
    Reflexology is not a science, nor has it been proven effective (or even real). It's surprising how many institutions are providing courses/products that teach or use such ridiculous methods (homeopathy, reflexology, magnet therapy, etc.).

    Whether this "cobblestone" crap actually works I have no idea, but if it is rooted in "reflexology" and "traditional chinese medicine" then I'd have to bet that there will never be any truly scientific studies that prove this product.

    The more likely explanation is that these people age 60+ that they tested are actually WALKING, as opposed to sitting around. Not to mention the likely placebo effect of being told "walk these cobblestones, they make you feel better!"

    For more information on Reflexology, please see:

    http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/ reflex.html [quackwatch.org]

    And remember folks, think critically. Anything that advertises itself using "accupressure" or "hidden pathways" is bunk.

    • Re:Quack! Don't waste your time/money! (Score:4, Interesting)

      by jericho4.0 ( 565125 ) on Monday July 11, 2005 @11:25PM (#13039344)
      The OP is modded "troll" as I write this.

      Our society has become a place where truth has no value, and people think it rude to demand proof. Everywhere I hear and see belief in magic and superstition, from reflexology to homeopathy to physic hotlines. Much of it cloaked in pseudoscience and defended as science. WTF happened to rationalism?

      • Re:Quack! Don't waste your time/money! (Score:1, Insightful)

        by Anonymous Coward
        Speculation follows...

        People are anti-science because they don't like hearing that their fantastic or comfortable beliefs have nothing to support them. People are proud and hate being shown that they are wrong. Youngsters grow up with poor education or parents who teach them not to listen to them lab-coat types.

        BTW, hilarious sig (time cube) given the current context.

        • Re:Quack! Don't waste your time/money! (Score:4, Interesting)

          by ziekke ( 553197 ) on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @02:57AM (#13040095)
          Believe it or not, you pretty much nailed it right on the head there.

          There are lots and lots of Doctors (and not necessarily Medical Doctors, this includes physicists, biologists, etc.) that subscribe to some of these quackery beliefs, not even limited to simply reflexology or acupuncture. Dowsing, astrology, HOMEOPATHY [homeowatch.org] all that stuff is just as unproven and fake as the next. The belief in some of these things even falls down to psychological factors (such as the ideomotor effect [skepdic.com] (2 [quackwatch.org]) with regards to dowsing, and placebo effect for most - if not all - alternative medicine practices). It's interesting how a physicist can believe that dowsing really works, but they are out there!

          In the case of the "traditional chinese medicine", the arguement is that it has been around for 2000 years So It Must Work!. Unfortunately, just cause it's been around for a long time, doesn't mean it works either.

          Aside from the personal/psychological influences that cause people to follow these things, a huge factor are the people marketing the products and therapies.

          Snake oil charmers tend to be able to sell this stuff by scaring people with lies. Fear that the "industry" is out to get you [motherjones.com]. Fear that "drugs" are poisoning you [piroclinic.com]. It's easy to get someone to believe that there are conspiracies (that are conveniently unprovable) working against them and that the only way out is their form of alternative medicine.

          A lot of people lured to alternative medicine are done so because they feel they have been somehow wronged by the MD profession. Like they believe they have a true illness that MDs can't locate/cure (because it doesn't exist). So they go to a naturopath who is only too happy to say "Of course there's something wrong with you! Now that will be $50 a week for therapy plus $35 a month for my homeopathic pills. Don't worry, they are 100x diluted so they are SUPER-effective!". Lots of alternative medicine practitioners even go so far as to claim you have an illness you don't know about, and that only they can cure it! Colonix for example is one such thing, as well as people who say you should be taking TONS of vitamin supplements for various reasons. Anyone heard of magnet therapy [wikipedia.org] (Quackwatch Info [quackwatch.org])?

          The sad thing about it all, is that it's difficult to combat with logic and sense. You say "but its not proven" and they say "You just have to believe!" or "So-and-so said it worked, so it must! I don't care if science says it doesn't".

          If you go to http://quackwatch.org/ [quackwatch.org] there is an insane amount of information there with regards to how people get sucked in to this stuff.

          • My dad is an agricultural engineer with the USDA. One of the things he does is help farmers design and put in wells. He told me that every well he's worked on has been witched. My understanding is that there's no way to know exactly what you're going to hit until you start digging, so witching works just as well as any other guessing method.
      • People learn from immitating each other, and its amazing how strong the power of suggestion is. Most people are gullible enough that if you talk about how great acupuncture is they are likely to believe it and try it themselves. Then report back saying it relly helped them, not because it did. But because they thought it would. I immagine eventually people will just immitating thier understanding of how they learn through immitation and it will be very funny and sad.
      • The GP wasn't demanding proof. He was rejecting a hypothesis with no evidence in either direction, just because it had bad buzzwords. That's not science. It's prejudicial and very unscientific.
        • You're right, I wasn't I was rejecting a hypothesis with plenty of evidence. Apparantly you didn't see the link within my post.

          Want another?

          http://www.ncahf.org/articles/o-r/reflexology.html [ncahf.org]

          Quit wasting our time by trolling.

          • The people at Quackwatch, the Amazing Randi, etc., have a vested interest in denying the efficacy of alternative medicines. Not for economic reasons, but because it feeds their egos. It makes them feel smarter than the unwashed masses who buy into all that "mumbo jumbo."

            Well, I'll tell you what -- you're denying the truth of the study presented in TFA with no evidence to support the claim that it was performed incorrectly or in bad faith. That is not science. It's not smart. You're rejecting it out
            • I never stated that there was something wrong with the cobblestones. As a matter of fact, I believe my exact words were:

              Whether this "cobblestone" crap actually works I have no idea...

              I stated that there was something wrong with reflexology. If the cobblestones work, it isn't because of reflexology (which is where my links and observations enter).

              TFA itself stated that the mat works by stimulating "acupoints". It further goes to state that "These acupoints are purportedly linked to all organs and t

    • Please mod parent back to something aside from "Troll". This is most certainly not a troll. The poster is simply stating commonly held, and data backed prevailing scientific opinion. Quackwatch is an excellent site, and does well to debunk many claims made by purveyors of alternative medicine, homeopathy, etc...

      I am not familiar with ORI but, again, it is likely that the cobblestone walkers used more muscles to control their movements when walking over the cobblestones, compensating for reflexes (there are

    • Re:Quack! Don't waste your time/money! (Score:4, Insightful)

      by Mr. Slippery ( 47854 ) <tms&infamous,net> on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @12:45AM (#13039672) Homepage
      if it is rooted in "reflexology" and "traditional chinese medicine" then I'd have to bet that there will never be any truly scientific studies that prove this product...

      Reflexology has nothing to do with Chinese Medicine.

      And remember folks, think critically. Anything that advertises itself using "accupressure" or "hidden pathways" is bunk.

      "Thinking critically" also means being skeptical of the claims of current medical orthodoxy - looking at the actual evidence rather than being swayed by name-calling.

      I don't know anything about reflexology, or about this particular study. But I know more than a little bit about acupressure and Chinese Medicine [earthtouchshiatsu.com]. While the research is still scanty, there are good clinical studies showing acupressure to be effective [nih.gov].

      The NCCAOM [nccaom.org] has started working more closely with the NCCAM [nih.gov], and I hope to see more and better research forthcoming. Meanwhile, acupressure is an extremely safe treatment that seems to clearly have, at a bare minimum, positive non-specific effects in relieving stress and chronic muscle tension.

      I commented on the relationship between the physiological/reductionist and the Chinese Medicine models here [slashdot.org] a few days ago, I'll take the liberty of briefly repeating myself:

      There are several physiological theories about the meridians and points of acupressure, three that I know about involve nervous reflexes, the electrical properties of fascia, and a supposed network of less-differentiated cells throughout the body. It's possible that different points work by different mechanisms. Certainly the "placebo effect" plays a role - as it does in any treatment. Google for placebo surgery [google.com], it's fascinating.

      Many pracitioners of Chinese Medicine don't care much about trying to find a Western Medicine explanation for how acupuncture, Asian bodywork therapy, and Chinese herbs, create their effects. They see it work every day, that's enough for them. (The same can be said of many Western physicians, a surprising number of whom have little interest or knowledge of biology.) But there is certainly a subset of the community that is interested in understanding from both points of view.

      IMHO it's unfortunate that many practitioners of CM have latched on to the idea that qi, a fundamental ascept of the CM model, is some sort of electromagnetic-like energy field. This is a misinterpretation, attempting to fit Taoist concepts of the Universe into a Aristotelian grid. The CM model is very much a functional, not a structural, one; the Vital Substances, the Zang-Fu organs, and the meridians are best understood by what they do, not by chopping people up looking for them.

      I recommend Ted Kaptchuk's book The Web That Has No Weaver to those interested in learning more about Chinese Medicine.

      • "Thinking critically" also means being skeptical of the claims of current medical orthodoxy - looking at the actual evidence rather than being swayed by name-calling.

        You are exactly right, however I don't see how that was relevant in my post, or in this thread, as we are not disputing medical practice. I never said that quacks didn't exist in every line of practice. However I will say that anyone practicing acupuncture or reflexology is a quack.

        Reflexology has nothing to do with Chinese Medicine.

        • Sure there have been lots of "studies" done on acupuncture claiming that it Really Works, however none of which were appropriate in controlling placebo and other factors such as blinding.

          That's just bullshit [google.com]. You reject the hypothesis because of an irrational belief in your own rationality, and thus must reject any experiment that contradicts you out of hand. That's not science, it's religion.
          • Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

            It's not stupid to suspect that research that showed acupuncture to work was incorrect.

            And going through your own link, the first one says: "There was no significant difference in the following outcome measures between the active and sham acupuncture groups."

            The next few say similar things. What's your point again?
            • And going through your own link, the first one says: "There was no significant difference in the following outcome measures between the active and sham acupuncture groups[:]"

              It sure does. But that's not the end of the sentence. It continues:

              ...daily relief medication scores, blood eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels, and nasal eosinophil counts, except for the IgE levels before and 2 months after acupuncture in the sham acupuncture group.

              which is to say that none of those mechanisms are responsible

            • Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. It's not stupid to suspect that research that showed acupuncture to work was incorrect.

              There's nothing extraordinary about claiming that a system of healthcare used continuously for several thousand years may actually have some benefit. There's nothing extraordinary about claiming that stimulating one part of the body can have a distal effect - anyone who's found the "skritchy spot" on a dog that makes the leg spasm has seen it.

              Indeed it is an ex

            • Just curious -- did you put me on your enemies list before or after our brief exchange here?

        • RTFA. Excerpt: "Cobblestone-like walking paths are common in China. The activity is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and relates to some of the principles of reflexology, in that the uneven surface of the cobblestones stimulate and regulate "acupoints" located on the soles of the feet."

          Then TFA is blowing smoke. There is only one TCM acupoint located on the sole of the foot, Kidney 1; and CM has no relation at all to reflexology.

          But what about all the times that it doesn't work? And there a

      • The NCCAM is not real science.

        http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics / nccam.html [quackwatch.org]

        http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/altm ed/snake/evidence.html [pbs.org]

        Also, search within this page for NCCAM
        http://www.randi.org/jr/042602.html [randi.org]

        And that's just skimming the surface.

        The NCCAM is a bunch of quackery and pseudoscience. The most you will ever get from acupuncture, reflexology, chiropracty or any other bullshit is the placebo effect. If anyone claims that any of these things are real, as th

        • The NCCAM is not real science.

          The NCCAM is exactly real science. Both you and the "QuackWatch" author seem to have forgotten that the basis of science is research, experimentation, and observation - as opposed to disregarding observations which don't agree with your model and demanding that any research with the potential to undercut your own biases be de-funded.

          The most you will ever get from acupuncture, reflexology, chiropracty or any other bullshit is the placebo effect. If anyone claims that

      • I'm glad to see somebody in Slashdot willing to accept that current science might not have all the answers. Energy meridians not detected by current technology? And why not? Just some 20-30 years ago it was accepted science your fat and meat intake had to be much greater than today. And now official medicine is finally accepting fruit and vegetable intake can help with certain conditions, that some yoga excercises do benefit the body, etc. Just think what other "qwack" theories will be accepted wisdom in th
    • Thank you for the link, I'd like to think we are getting past quackery as we move more into a reasoned medical world. I'm surpised anyone would use eastern medicne when we can't explain that. Of course I may be in the minority in making my doctor explain what is going on before going under the knife at all.

  • No reason? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by NereusRen ( 811533 )
    "Although the study was conducted with elderly patients, no reason to think it can't help most folks."

    Hey, I thought of a reason:

    "The benefits may have foundations in 'the principles of reflexology'"

  • As a Rollerblade User (Score:5, Funny)

    by Deliveranc3 ( 629997 ) <<deliverance> <at> <level4.org>> on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @01:27AM (#13039834) Journal
    I strongly condemn this arrrrttititititiclelelelelele.

  • Reflexology /foot massage (Score:3, Interesting)

    by FidelCatsro ( 861135 ) <fidelcatsro@gmaDALIil.com minus painter> on Tuesday July 12, 2005 @01:38AM (#13039875) Journal
    Now Reflexology is a foot massage , there is no difference apart from that a foot massage will generally be more thorough .
    Things it can help with are
    1:) Foot pain
    2:) lower ankle pain
    3:) stress , it feels great
    4:) probably nothing else
    Walking on cobbles (depending on the cobbles) can be a very relaxing experience .
    This has nothing to do with the principles of reflexology which have been consistently proven to be nothing more than a nice foot massage. Of course it can help lower blood pressure if the high blood pressure is caused by stress, its relaxing , its fun.
    Why ruin a perfectly good (if obvious) research piece by comparing it to snake oil
  • How utterly pathetic has the US media become to report sales material like this as 'news'.

    This company is actually whoring $40 cobblestone mats on the same site as thier press release, and nobody seems no notice.

    Whats next, a Jenny Craig study on Obesity? Perhaps a Oprah study on book clubs?
  • The scientific reputation of this institute is unknown to me, but the 'buy a cobblestone mat' link right below the article makes me a bit suspicious.
  • Researchers have found that compression of the soles of the feet, combined with stimulating the nerve endings increases blood flow to the feet.

    I hope they got a banana for their sterling efforts

  • Easier explanation... (Score:2, Insightful)

    by elander ( 561476 ) *
    An uneven surface requires you to use more muscles to balance your body, and keep from falling. Using more muscles leads to at least three benefits:
    • Higher energy consumption
    • Building strength
    • Lubricating joints

    This is not news, everyone involved in physical training knows, or should know, about this. Several studies have also shown that "micromovements", such as "bobbing knees" (constantly moving your leg up and down when seated) also leads to less overweight. Cobblestone mats is just another way to mak

  • sounds like a variation on the concept discussed here:

    http://oaktreep.ehost.com/oaktreephysicaltherapyne wsletterarchives/id2.html [ehost.com]

    They've been talking about this for 2-3 years now
  • jericho4.0 (565125) sez: "Yeah. I'll take that as a hypothesis when I see any evidence of it, you know, actually working."

    Then go to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi [nih.gov] and put in "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society" and keep checking until the PubMed listing in entered, or go to http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/toc/jgs/0/0 [blackwell-synergy.com] and keep checking until the EarlyOnline posts it. It was just accepted and hasn't appeared yet.

    But I'm betting most of the whiners really don't care nearly as much ab
    • On this debate, who said western medicine was science? The only thing that really differentiates western medicine from other "alternatives" is that it at least listens to scientific findings. But like "Alternative" medicine, it also (in general) listens to the popularity of procedures. A good example of this is accupunture. Its non western, but it became popular as an alternative therapy because western medicine, in my opinion, does not have many solutions to soft tissue (muscle) problems. So, doctors t
    • If you think reflexology is a science, that there's anything at all to it, you should become a practitioner and apply for the $1,000,000 (that's one MILLION dollars) prize from the James Randi Educational Foundation. There are more details at http://www.randi.org/research/faq.html [randi.org]

      Reflexology is specifically listed as qualifying.

      If you don't, you're either a fool or a liar. Even if you "aren't interested in the money," think how much "legitimate" research could be done - how many people could be helped -
  • As a rollerblader I must register my disapproval of any stories displaying cobblestones in a positive light.

    Pave the earth!
    Turn paradise into a parking lot!
    And put those elderly patients on blades. I guarantee they'll gain "improvements in balance and physical performance" - or die trying.

    Oh, and Mozilla (Debian package 1.7.8-1) crashed with a segmentation fault the first time I hit reply on this story. The international cobblestone conspiracy has agents working on free software!!! Foam! Splutter! Moan!
  • In other news, Amazon says you should read more books, and Campbell says soup is good food.

    And this just in - Snickers make a good between-meal snack. "The benefits may lie in the foundations of Confectionary Science," said a spokesperson from the Mars Candy Company.

  • Porto (Score:2)

    by rpjs ( 126615 )
    I know this article sounds like a load of old bollocks, but we had a weekend in Porto, Portugal recently, where food and drink in restaurants is cheap and plentiful, and we noticed that despite this (apparently the Portuguese like to eat out a lot, and it certainly wasn't just us tourists in the restaurants) there weren't any noticeable numbers of fatties around, except for us. Another thing we noticed was how many of the streets in Porto, especially the old town, were cobbled.

    Clearly there *is* a correla

  • well (Score:1)

    by sydres ( 656690 )
    I don't know about hemeopathic remedies, but herbal folk remedies are often quite effective because of chemical content, take for instance the willow tree it contains salycilic acid, a pain reliever. another herbal remedy boiled ephedra branches are an effective antihistamine. At least the herbal portions of homeopathic remedies can be quite effective, but unlike the infomercial statements the can be quite dangerous.
  • I don't have much experience with cobblestones, there not being many near me, but I do strongly believe that walking on uneven surfaces is great exercise.

    If I walked a couple of miles on asphalt even with very good shoes, I would be hurting.

    But I can walk the same distance in boots with little cushioning as long as the trail is uneven. A mix of sand, gravel, rock and softer stuff like loam and leaf mould is great. Also it's good if the trail rolls up and down and includes some sideways traverses of slop

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