Balancing Exercises Made Easy

A few posts back we discussed proprioception, our ability to know where we are positionally, and our sense of movement. I showed the short foot exercise, which is a powerful precursor to balance training. In this post, I am providing a video to get you started on balance training. By balancing--and constantly being challenged while balancing--proprioceptors become conditioned, and this will help you gain stability, strength and endurance.

A great beginners balancing exercise that comes from yoga is called "tree pose". Watch the video to get an idea of how to do a tree pose, and practice daily. You, can challenge yourself by simply bringing the hands to the chest in a prayer pose. This simple movement will increase the difficulty of tree pose significantly. For even more challenge, you can eventually raise your arms in the air (harder) and start looking up to the ceiling while maintaining the two poses (even harder). Have fun.

Another great balancing exercise is called "one-legged balancing". This is simpler in that you do not have to worry about placing you feet or hands to get into the pose. To challenge yourself you can have a friend throw a ball, keys or any other object for you to catch while maintaining balance. Juggling chainsaws will come later; just master the one-legged balance while being challenged and you'll soon be ready for the next level--the rocker board!

Watch the video to get the best rudimentary exercises for balancing, and thus training your proprioceptive system. Believe me when I say that everything from your athletic performance to your ability to remain pain free relies on it.  Happy balancing.

Curious Case of Crying Baby

I had an interesting case come into my office this last week, a 3-month-old boy that was having difficulty sleeping and the inability to turn his head to the right.  When his parent tried to turn his head to the right, the child would start to scream and cry.  The parents reported that the boy had refused the breast from early on, and was therefore on formula, and also that his left eye drooped a little.

Upon examination I noticed that his right occipital bone (back skull) appeared to be protruding backward, yet he was turning his head toward the left, which was an oddity to me.  If, for instance, his occiput was rotated backward on the right, he would turn his head to the right, but not to the left.  This, of course, was not the case.

Not Child's Actual MRI: for illustrative purposes

I realized that his right occipital bone was jammed into the first cervical vertebra, and rotated backward on the left.  But why did it appear as if he was rotated back on the right.  It was an optical illusion that was perpetuated by increased muscular tone on the left side of the back of his skull (see picture).  Further, I believe that because he was lying on his back (to prevent sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS), he might have caused a bit of flattening known as plagiocephaly, which should correct now that he is improving.

I guess I gave it away, but I treated him by lifting his occipital condyle off of the first cervical vertebra.  With a little left to right rotation, the infant was immediately turning his head to the right (see pictures).  For his eye drooping I did some light adjustments of his hand and foot digits on the opposite side (in this case the right), and sent he and his family on their way, with instructions to return two days later.

I saw the little guy again on Saturday, when his father told me that "whatever you did worked, because he slept that day like he hadn't in weeks."  His eye also seemed to normalize somewhat.  When I worked on him this time, he was giggling and cooing throughout the light chiropractic infant adjustments.  It was amazing!

On day three (today), he looks like a totally different kid.  His head was sitting straight, he was calm and his eyes seemed nearly fully symmetrical.  I believe that this condition is not that uncommon, as the birthing process can be tough on a baby.  Somewhere through the canal, his head jammed.  Although I am certain he would have adapted to the malformation, probably with an increased thoracic hump (hunchback), correcting the problem now prevents any neurological compromise or even learning difficulties that could arise from the deformity.

Cases like this make my work so rewarding.  I only wish more people would take their children in for regular chiropractic checkups.  Sometimes the fussing and crying some babies go through has to do with a structural deformity.  I can't imagine having your occiput jammed into your spine feels good.  It sure didn't for that little tyke, but he feels a lot better now.  And so do his parents.  God bless chiropractic.

Planet You

You are what you eat has never rung more true.  No, you will not turn into a Twinkie...but the microorganisms in your gut respond and change according to what you eat.  So says a recent study out of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine that showed changes in diet can affect the virus populations that live in your gut.

"Our bodies are like coral reefs, inhabited by many diverse creatures interacting with each other and with us," senior author Frederic Bushman.

The researchers looked at gut virus populations of six volunteers assigned to eat either a high-fat/low-fiber diet, a low-fat/high-fiber diet or an ad-lib diet.  The researchers analyzed DNA from viruses in the stool of the participants over eight days and found that the largest variation in virus diversity occurred between individuals. However, virus populations among participants who ate the same diet became more similar over time.

"The study provides a new window on the vast viral populations that live in the human gut, demonstrates that they vary radically between individuals, and shows that dietary changes can affect not just bacterial populations but also viral populations," Bushman said.

This is an interesting study, because we know how important diet is to the overall health.  What we eat affects our physiology in action, and in environment.  In fact, if we think of our body as an ecosystem as much as an individual organism (not unlike the earth, or a galaxy for that matter!), we can see the impact our food choices make on the environment and the organisms within us.

It is tempting to think of all viruses and bacteria as bad or undesirable, but we live in symbiosis with these microorganisms--they are as important to us as digesters (among other things) as we are to them as food and lodgings.  By controlling the substances you put into your body, you are essentially controlling pollution in your internal atmosphere.  If you regularly pollute your inner environment--and not just with what you eat, mind you, but with what you breathe, snort, inject, whatever--you not only effect the intestinal flora, but every cell in your body.

Listen, natural health advocates have been saying this  for years: Watch what you put into your body.  Give it wholesome foods, natural juices and fresh, clean drinking water, and your body will respond by remaining an oasis--lush, fertile, and full of life.  Pollute it with garbage and that's what it will become--a cesspool.  It will become that to such a degree that it will change you, as it will every cell in your body...and it will also change the life forms residing within your body, because you are an ecosystem, a planet if you will.  Treat your planet as if it's your body, and vice versa--and you and your viruses should live in mutual satisfaction for millions of microbe generations.

Best Foot Massage: Where?

Anybody who has ever been under my care knows the importance I place on the feet.  As our foundation, the feet are directly connected to low back stability.  When foot dysfunction is present it can lead to low back pain, sciatica and even herniated disks.  But foot dysfunction is not only related  to low back issues, it can also cause conditions of the ankles, knees and hips.

It's probably no surprise, then, that I recommend custom orthotics for anyone suffering from a foot dysfunction.  But when it comes to caring for the feet, there is much more than simply adding orthotic support.  Like all musculoskeletal regions, the feet benefit enormously from a good bit of rubbing and kneading from massage.

There is a theory that toxins build in the body, and can be carried through the circulation to the feet, thus making it important to periodically get one's feet massaged.  By massaging the feet, the theory goes, built-up crystal deposits can be taken up by the veins, and removed through the kidneys.  As a result, organs corresponding to the massage or pressure points get a 'reflex' stimulation and, in turn, heal the body of various ailments.

Now whether this theory is true or not is debatable, but at the very least foot massage must accomplish what all myofascial release does: it enhances circulation, breaks up muscular adhesions, and frees up joints and muscles to allow greater movement, balance and stability.  But most satisfyingly, foot massage feels good, so it relaxes us and allows us to unwind.

I am such a believer in this type of bodywork, that I am now on a quest to find the best foot massages and techniques from around the world.  I am currently receiving foot massage from the Oasis Relax Spa in West Hollywood.  On a five point scale I would rate them a three.



Some pluses are:

• hour-long foot massage
• includes neck, back, face and scalp massage
• great price ($25)
• nice, clean and quiet facility
• lots of parking
• open daily and long hours: 10am-10pm

Some minuses are:

• foot massage portion not as long as I'd like, but therapist skill can make difference here
• English not first language hampers communication--sometimes problematic during instruction (on positioning, and so forth)
• some variation in therapist skills (I've got my favorites and I'm not telling you--find your own!)
• Don't always have small bills for change--bring singles, or tip in $5's and $10's

I would like to ask all my readers to please tell me where you get your feet massaged, and it can be anywhere in the world.  I want to know the best places for foot health including reflexology practices, and even pedicurists, if they do foot massage.  Please leave your comments below, and tell me why you like your favorite foot massage place.  Let us all help each other to find the best foot massages worldwide, so we can be certain that no matter where we are, we can take care of our feet when the need arises.

Spirituality and Health

Tempest Milky Way from Randy Halverson on Vimeo.

Today I would like to discuss an oft-overlooked aspect of health: Our connection to something bigger than ourselves.  Yes, I am a spiritualist--I believe in God.  Maybe not in the way of some organized religions, but I am convinced that the universe is a part of a grand order, of which we are bound in our physiology, and thus our health.

I'm not going to necessarily discuss the universal order as it pertains to physiology and health here.  Instead I am going to touch on a few points on spirituality and health, as well as encourage you to watch the beautiful video above to witness the magnificence of the universe from our earthly perspective, and hope you realize it is all much bigger than even this.

• Studies show that people practicing any type of mainstream faith actually live longer (more here)
• "Lack of religious involvement has an effect on mortality that is equivalent to 40 years of smoking one pack of cigarettes per day" ~ Dr. Harold Koenig of Duke University Medical Center
• People that practice spirituality have lower incidences of drug abuse, alcoholism, suicide and family violence
• Meditation, prayer, and participation in devotional services reduce feelings of depression and anxiety significantly
• Meditation lowers the risk of heart disease (among other conditions)

Health is directly related to our connections to a greater source.  Whether real or psychological is irrelevant to our discussions here--all I wish to point out is the improvement to physical health when spirituality is believed/practiced/observed.

If we can put aside for one minute our politics, our illusions, our human drives, and our emotional oscillations to just witness the beauty of the all, if only for just this one needle-point view of the grandness offered by the accompanying video, then I am certain we can all catch a glimpse of what we truly are.  THIS is the source of health, and it's a confirmation that we can all have optimal health if we are in touch with the source.  That's my belief anyway.

Pediatric Window Diving Precautions

Parents, here's one to think about: More than 5,000 U.S. children and teens are injured every year in falls from windows; but the problem isn't confined to high-rises--most falls are from the first or second story.  Something to think about before airing out that unattended room by opening the windows.

According to a recent study published this week in the journal Pediatrics, preschoolers are the most at-risk from falling out of windows, and they also suffer the most head injuries. "Two-thirds of these injuries occurred among children younger than 5. This is the age group that's mobile, curious and does not recognize the danger of falling from a window," said senior author Dr. Gary Smith of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  Fewer than 1% of these cases led to deaths, but the researchers said the tally likely underestimated fatalities because not all children who die from their injuries are brought to the hospital.

Parents don't realize how easily children can climb up to windowsills by using toys or furniture as a boost.  And screens may appear as sturdy objects to little ones who don't know any better.  A fall to the pavement below sure is tough way to learn that lesson.

The good news is that very few are fatal, but head injuries are common, so taking precautions is the best practice.  Window guards that run between $20-$40 can be installed, as can bars.  Window guards have a quick release that allows escape from a fire or other emergency.  No doubt, they're ugly--but better ugly than Humpty Dumpty.  We have window locks in our place that allow us to keep the windows cracked, but prevent a child from slipping through--godsend for people that love fresh air.

Just think, 5,000 children per year dropping out of 1-2 story windows--that's 100 per state!  That means the odds of yours being one ain't that small.  Take precautions and prevent pediatric window diving...especially if you live in Wyoming.

Short Foot Exercises for Better Proprioception

Proprioception is our sense of where we are in space.  It tells us about relative position of body parts, as well as giving us information about our movements.  Proprioception is essential to how we move, how we are supported, and how we function.  To be free from low back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries, and to be in good shape both require a conditioned proprioceptive sensory system.

This system can become deconditioned from a number of interrelated factors: lack of regular, challenging movement, previous or current injury, significant change in weight or strength, drug use and/or abuse, and chronically tight muscles.

The list above should tell you that many people today are deconditioned in their proprioceptive senses.  From increased computer time (which means increased sitting), to changes in activity type (sports, music, art to more media driven activities like video games and computers), to poor diets and lack of movement, even from our advanced medical care that has people recovering from injuries that at one time my have been game-enders, people today need to think about their proprioceptive condition.

In the next few video posts, I will be discussing and demonstrating excellent exercises for stimulating, and thus conditioning, your proprioceptive system.  Although I usually prefer to give low-tech exercises, I really do think having access to some special equipment will be very useful here. The good news is that many gyms have the equipment you will need.  If for any reason that is not an option for you, you can contact my West Hollywood sports chiropractic office to purchase either a rocker board, wobble board or bosu ball.

Watch the video below for the first instruction on proprioceptive training: the short foot exercise.  You will need to master this to go to the next level.  I would practice the short foot exercise for one week before moving on to the next level.  You will see that by mastering this movement, you will have the foundation for keeping your balance no matter what the challenge.  Learn the short foot and have fun--I'll see you soon for the next level.

ADHD Industry Staying Relevant & Sustainable (Part 2)

So last post I discussed how all industries have an inherent drive toward sustainability.  It's only natural--no industry will work to render itself obsolete.  This is my best explanation for the significant rise in ADHD diagnoses over the last decade.  As that industry grows, many mouths are fed, from the diagnosticians, to the experts and researchers, to the drug manufacturers, to the authors, to the critics, and the list goes on and on.

Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2007-2009, an average of 9% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 were diagnosed with ADHD. This compared with just under 7% between 1998-2000.  Again I ask the question: Are more children being born with this disorder every year?  The genetic explanation is always popular, you know.  Or is it something in the environment?  Video games, social media, what?

Further, researchers have found a narrowing of prevalence among racial groups--that is, whites, blacks and some Hispanic groups are being diagnosed in comparable numbers.  You don't say?  With Obamacare on its way, you bet I do.

But astute doctors understand that increased numbers do not always tell the whole story.  According to study author, Dr. Lara J. Akinbami, a medical officer with the National Center for Health Statistics, "We don't have the data to say for certain what explains these patterns, but I would caution against concluding that what we have here is a real increase in the occurrence of this condition."  Precisely.

"In fact, it would be hard for me to argue that what we see here is a true change in prevalence," Akinbami added.  "Instead, I would say that most probably what we found has a lot to do with better access to health care among a broader group of children, and doctors who have become more and more familiar with this condition and now have better tools to screen for it. So, this is probably about better screening, rather than a real increase, and that means we may continue to see this pattern unfold."  Bingo!

You see, better access means "more widely accepted", and therefore, "reimbursable."  That is exactly why it is being diagnosed across a broader racial spectrum.  Universal health care means, "every ADHD diagnosis pays."  No worrying about the uninsured; everybody has the right to have a child labeled ADHD now.  What a magnificent country we live in--equality at its finest.

And "better tools to screen for it" means, "wider, more accepted parameters; acceptance of subjective criteria used by diagnosticians to account for variability, as this is a mental condition."  So darn near any non-conforming kid is a candidate for ADHD drugs, like Adderall or Ritalin, and the industry continues to sustain itself.  According to the National Institutes of Health, ADHD is the most common behavioral disorder among children.  Well, no shiitake mushrooms--I hope you see it, too.

This is really an interesting phenomenon if you take the time to analyze it.  The industry will keep growing, and it won't change until parents say, "Enough! No more!"  No more drugging my children, no more labeling them as dysfunctional, no more holding my child back because teachers don't understand how to inspire him, no more discouraging my kid by assuming something is wrong with him because he doesn't care about the same things an outdated school system tells him to care about.  It won't change until parents wake up.

Don't believe me when I tell you the ADHD industry is growing by keeping itself relevant and sustainable?  We'll let the good doctor, Akinbami, explain it in her own words:

"Children of ADHD use a lot more health care dollars than their peers, because the condition itself requires a lot of monitoring. And they are also much more likely to have other chronic health care conditions, such as asthma or learning disabilities or conduct diagnoses like conduct disorder, which makes managing them for schools and physicians and parents much more difficult. So, it's clearly something for public policy experts to be concerned about."

In other words, "Not done growing."  I'll keep opening my big mouth until people get it.

ADHD Industry Staying Relevant & Sustainable (Part 1)

Wanna see how economics fuels the growth and sustenance of a medical industry niche?  Check it: A new government survey reports that children diagnosed with ADHD has increased significantly over the last decade.  You don't say?  Yes, I do.  Does this mean that more children are being born with ADHD every year?  Or maybe environmental conditions are increasing the risk?  I've heard those childhood vaccinations are pretty bad, but... Anybody who reads this blog knows my impression of the ADHD industry.  I mean, I dedicated the entire month of December 2010 to this non-condition, this normal variant.  So what gives on the rapid increase?

To get a clearer picture, it might be best to start with an analogy, let's say the auto-mechanics industry (easy choice for me, but could choose any industry, including chiropractic).  So, let's say auto manufacturers become so good at their craft that the amount of cars needing repair decreases dramatically.  This would present quite the conundrum to the auto-mechanics of the world, considering their livelihood is dependent on fixing cars.

So let's say, despite the decrease in repair needs, people still need to get their oil changed, so reasonably they go to a garage to have the service performed.  While under the hood, the astute mechanic notices a leak in the transmission and fluid leaking throughout (not too hard to plant oil with a spray canister and some used motor oil).  Uh oh...looks like you need some work done.  In fact, leaking transmissions seem to be on the rise--not surprising as many, if not most mechanics, would need to play along if their family is to eat this week.

Okay, you take it to the dealer for a second opinion.  Well their mechanics need to feed their families too, so guess what?  You got it--leaky transmission syndrome (LTS).  In fact, it has become epidemic.  You see, global warming has increased temperatures to such a degree that motor oil now gets heated to even higher temperatures, plus the fuel coming over from the middle east is now of such poor quality, that it tends to open portions of the transmission allowing leaks.  And there is nothing that can be done about it, except take it in to garages, have the transmission rebuilt and sealed with a special sealer that needs to be re-applied every six month, and...you get the point.

You see, no industry is going to make itself obsolete.  None.  Which shouldn't be disheartening, because commerce is what makes the world go 'round.  We do all have to eat.

But my problem with this happening in medical care is that we are not talking about something as replaceable as a car.  We are talking peoples' bodies, their health.  Believe me when I say this is happening in the ADHD industry today.  You can read or re-read my posts from last December to get some background on this complete sham of a disorder.  Then check in for the next post where I'll discuss the latest info confirming to me how the ADHD industry is keeping itself relevant and sustainable.

Brain-Eating Amoeba & the Neti Pot Nightmare

How's this for random and weird?  Three people have died this year from a brain-eating amoeba--Naegleria fowleri--a microscopic organism found in warm fresh water like lakes, rivers, hot springs and soil.  The victims include a a 16-year-old Florida girl, who contracted the infection from swimming in a river, and a 9-year-old Virginia boy, who died a week after he went to a fishing day camp, and a 20-year-old man in Louisiana, who died after using a neti pot--a teapot-shaped device used to run salt water through the sinuses to relieve allergies, colds and sinus troubles.

N. fowleri usually enters the system through the nasal passages, very often from jumping or diving into water.  The amoeba then makes its way up to the brain where it digests brain cells, killing the person within two weeks.  The disease is called primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or "PAM."

Although a harrowing fate for the inhaler, N. fowleri does not actively seek out human brains; it really is a bacteria-consuming parasite.  But, like all of us, it will consume what it can until it finds the meal of its choice--to the great misfortune of the human unlucky enough to inhale the microscopic blob.

This illness is extremely rare--only 120 reported U.S. cases (almost all of them deaths) since the amoeba was first identified in the early 1960s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The annual incidence of infection (and thus deaths) is three per year.

Brain-eating amoebic infection seems to be confined to the south, where all three victims this year contracted it.  The neti pot case is especially weird, as the parasite tends to live in warmer waters.  It also brings up some useful precautions one should take at all times when swimming in fresh water lakes and rivers in the south, or when using a neti pot.

Lake and river swimmers should hold their nose shut or use nose clips to prevent water being forced up the nasal passages.  And neti pot users should always boil and sterilize the water before running it through the nasal passages.  By following the instructions on the package of the neti pot, users will be most safe.

It's a tragedy for the families suffering the loss of their loved ones to something as random as an encounter with a rare amoeba.  But it should remind us all to take precautions.  I will admit, though, I probably wouldn't have considered running into a brain-eating amoeba while filling my neti pot, either (although I also have no desire to use one of these--not against it, just not interested).

I think the most important thing is for people to be aware; so perhaps the CDC needs to make one of those public service announcements (PSAs) and show it as summer begins every year.  Saying that, we probably will still see three deaths a year.  N. fowleri probably hasn't survived for this long without having a few tricks up its flagella.

Loss of Service, Love and Affection

Here's a curious case of circumcision whereby a man loses his entire penis to a doctor on a cancer trip.  Put yourself in someone's shoes: You go to the hospital for a circumcision that's supposed to help you with inflammation (??? new one for me, but I'll roll with it).  You're given your nighty-night nod by the anesthesiologist, only to wake up hours later sans member.  Doh!

Or...you're a well-known and respected urologist, hired to perform a geriatric foreskin-ectomy, and given full permission to take control of any serious situation you come across.  During the procedure cancer is detected.  To save the life of the patient--you remove the cancer...one penis at a time.  Patient wakes up, checks what he thinks is the new chop top, and finds he has been removed from the club; wife's even more pissed.  Who's in the right or wrong?

Deborah and Phillip Seaton

Well, it'll be up to the Shelby County Circuit Court in Kentucky, which will be entertaining the trial between Phillip Seaton of Waddy and his wife, Deborah, against Dr. John Patterson of Louisville.  The lawsuit alleges that Patterson removed Seaton's penis without consulting either Phillip or Deborah Seaton.  The Seatons say they would have liked the opportunity to have a second opinion, and who can blame them?  They are seeking unspecified damages from Patterson for "loss of service, love and affection."

The doctor's attorney, however, states that his client had full authorization "to perform any medical procedure deemed necessary" and that the doctor found cancer in the organ during the surgery.  The attorney has said that Patterson "had no reasonable option" but to remove the cancer.  The Seatons' attorney says the situation was not an emergency.

Dr. Patterson (right) and his attorney

Interestingly, Jewish Hospital, where the full-shaft circumcision was performed actually settled with the Seatons for an undisclosed amount.  Hmmm...maybe they know something we don't...like ain't no man scorned than he who wakes up without a penis.

So what do you think?  Case of irresponsible amputation, or modern medical heroism?  Should a doctor do what he can to save a life (even if not immediately urgent), or is it up to the individual?  It's not very different from euthanasia or other medical dilemmas.  I know what I think, but I'm curious to hear other peoples' opinions. 

Here's Looking at You, Kid

What's more in demand today than plastic surgery?  Cheap plastic surgery!  Don't act surprised...who doesn't love a deal?  And when it come to slicing and dicing your morphology, at rock bottom prices, no place beats Morocco.  Ah yes, Moroccan rhinoplasty--best in the world for under five grand. 

According to a recent report, people are flocking to Morocco and its neighboring Tunisia for plastic surgery.  Clinics are plentiful in Rabat and Casablanca, where tourist can get procedures for less than half the cost of European clinics.

Morocco has a history of plastic surgery dating back to the 1950s.  When sex-change operations were banned in Europe, Morocco was a hub.

"The demand for cosmetic surgery in Morocco is actually growing steadily.  There are about 1,000 to 1,200 cosmetic surgeries per month in Morocco, and 10-15% of patients came from abroad," said Salaheddine Slaoui, a specialist in cosmetic and reparative surgery, adding that the number of plastic surgeries had also doubled in the last decade.

The two most popular procedures are breast enlargement and liposuction.  You don't say?  And the enhancement of choice for men?  Why, that would be penoplasty, or a good ol' fashioned penis enlargement.  Yes sir!  In Morocco...sky's the limit.

Says Sloui again, "Compared with last year, the number of consultations for penoplasty has practically multiplied by five!"

Hey you want it all, and who blames you?  New teats, improved package, cheap price...sounds like Morocco's the place for you.  And since practically any doctor can practice cosmetic surgery in the western world (at least the U.S.) without special credentials (re: Jan Adams), then why should you worry about a third-world tummy tuck?  You shouldn't!  Here's looking at you, kid.

Piriformis Stretches: Relieving and Preventing Low Back Syndromes

Low back pain, hip pain, butt pain, sciatica--these are all conditions that can occur as a result of a tight piriformis muscle.  But it doesn't stop there.  Gait abnormalities, hip bursitis and knee pain can also result as secondary disorders related to a tight piriformis muscle.

Stretching a tight piriformis is imperative to prevent these conditions from plaguing you.  And if you've already got some of these problems, after you see your friendly neighborhood sports chiropractor, you'll probably need to stretch your piriformis to bring length to the muscle and help open your hips sufficiently.

In the video, I demonstrate three excellent stretches (really two, with one version having two variants).  Start with the first one--lying on your back--if you are very tight OR you could even do that same stretch while sitting in a chair (although I don't demonstrate that version in the video).  You can try the other two variants if you have a little more flexibility.

Play with all three to see where you currently are, and then work at that level for two to three weeks.  Once you've mastered your current level, you can move on to the next.  Have fun and happy stretching.

Gender Identifying Pregnancy Tests: Accurate!

Pregnant?  Boy or Girl?  Don't know?  Throw some spaghetti on the wall; if it sticks...  Or better yet, see how low your belly hangs, that'll tell ya.  Or if your nails are growing fast and strong, you're having a...

Okay, okay, these old wives tales may not offer much, but I've got something surprising for you--gender-detecting blood tests being sold online.  That's right, you can find out whether it's a boy or girl with surprising accuracy by simply purchasing a testing kit online.  And this kit's no slouch--it accurately determines gender at seven weeks, a full three weeks earlier than conventional gender testing.

Researchers recently analyzed 57 published studies of gender determining blood tests done in rigorous research or academic settings--though not necessarily the same methods or conditions used by direct-to-consumer firms.  The blood tests analyzed use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the presence or absence of the Y chromosome, which would signify a male (XY) or female (XX) gender respectively.  The test is approximately 95% accurate

The analyzed test can detect fetal DNA in mothers' blood. It's about 95 percent accurate at identifying gender when women are at least seven weeks' pregnant--more than one month before conventional methods. Accuracy of the testing increases as pregnancy advances, the researchers concluded.  Conventional procedures, typically done for medical reasons, can detect gender starting at about 10 weeks.

The researchers pointed out the need to question couples purchasing the tests to determine what the results will be used for.  Although the benefits of the tests are as screens for genetic illnesses, particularly gender specific ones, there is some concern about couples using such tests for gender selection and abortion.

No tests sold directly to consumers, online or otherwise, were actually analyzed; and some doctors interviewed disclosed that they will not provide gender identifying tests, including amniocentesis, for anything other than genetic disease screening.  Companies like Consumer Genetics Inc., based in Santa Clara, CA, sells an "early gender" blood test called Pink or Blue online for $25 plus $265 or more for laboratory testing.

These tests are not available to customers in India--where the costs of marrying off girls has contributed to a cultural preference for boys--or China, which has limits on one child per couple and a traditional preference for male heirs, contributing to abortions.  Consumer Genetics Inc. also won't test blood samples unless women sign a consent form agreeing not to use the results for gender selection.

Without a doubt, every new breakthrough has a plus and minus associated with it.  As genetic testing becomes more prevalent, we will see more people designing the perfect child for them.  Yes, it will almost always start out as a simple 'screening' for genetic diseases, but seriously...how many couples will avoid the temptation of choosing gender, eye color, hair color, skin tone or sexual orientation?  Will some traits be genetically modified out of the species?

Makes me wonder what undesirable...'scuse me, challenging, conditions or traits will be consciously selected out of the gene pool.  Hmmm...could be yours.  Think about it.