h a l f b a k e r yContrary to popular belief
add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random
news, help, about, links, report a problem
browse anonymously,
or get an account
and write.
register,
|
|
|
I was watching a TV documentary on the
biomechanics of martial arts and one of
the claims they made was that dedicated
martial artists built up "stone fists" by
repeatededly traumatizing their fists and
wrists. The bones in the hand literally
break, the docu sez, on a microstructural
scale,
and are repaired by the body in a
denser, more calcified matrix. My idea
was to extend this theraputic trauma to
the entire body by encasing the skeleton
(or a portion thereof) in a suit of some
kind, (fluid-filled?) then sending
ultrasonic vibes through it (Van Halen?)
in order to inspire the same kind of
impact trauma that martial artists use to
increase bone density...I wondered about
effects at old age too, scad. But lots of
old people have probs with bones that
are too fragile. Maybe this would help?
Martial Arts health article (general)
http://www.fighting...dicine/medicine.htm
[cloudface, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]
Refers specifically to impact exercise
http://www.stumptuo...m/bonebuilding.html
[cloudface, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]
Some company and their coral.
http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp12013.htm
yeah um... *shrug* [countzero, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]
It all comes back to me now...ouch...ahhh
http://www.spacapsu...massage_machine.htm
Seeing one of these things is what triggered this idea...Get it? Back? Massage? This machine is kinda like what I'm thinking of, but maybe targeted using an mri at bones to replicate impact exercise safely... [cloudface, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]
Studies suggest that mechanical forces of the ultrasound waves transform into electrical impulses as they travel through the tissues
http://www.fda.gov/...tures/396_bone.html
Look under the heading "Healing Helpers." [robinism, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]
Cat purring may heal bones
http://snips.8m.com...20and%20healing.htm
...researchers have found that vibrations or energy currents in the range of 20 to 50 Hz (same as cat purring) stimulate bone growth... [MaineCoon, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]
Please log in.
If you're not logged in,
you can see what this page
looks like, but you will
not be able to add anything.
Annotation:
|
| |
[cloudface] I have a friend with a road compactor hire business. It may be cheaper to use the compactors to 'microfracture' your customers. We could do hundreds at once, and avoid the cruelty of subjecting them to Van Halen. |
|
| |
I think if you catapulted them against a block of wood a few hundred times should do it (as long as they yelled something that sounded asian just before they hit) |
|
| |
I'm not sure, but I think that this would cause a great deal of tissue damage as well. I'm not sure if there is a resonant bone frequency . . . maybe that's why Van Halen makes my head ring. |
|
| |
Tissue damage: You're right, I'm sure.
I'm not saying that this therapy would
be done as a one-time-only treatment.
And martial arts also involve tissue
damage. Who knows? Maybe a
sophisticated suit or regimen could
build muscle as well. I'm guessing
artificially-induced
microfracturing could be used as part of
a physical therapy or athletic regimen.
And I'm interested more in the benefits
of systematically microfracturing bones
to increase density than finding their
resonant chord. Which is a good idea
itself: When was the last time you heard
a synth program that mimicked an
original-instrument
human-bone-xylophone? Although I
had a girlfriend who was good at that
once. Ultrasound was only one
suggested way to induce impact
trauma. VH4fr! |
|
| |
//dedicated martial artists built up "stone fists" by repeatededly traumatizing their fists and wrists.// |
|
| |
<skeptic>
So all the ones that permanently damage their fists and wrists are classified as "dropouts" as opposed to "dedicated martial artists."
</skeptic> |
|
| |
Of course with your suggestion, the damage could probably be more closely controlled so you might have a better ratio of winners and loosers. |
|
| |
Another thought: you may create a "stone fist" now, but how does that translate into bone strength and joint flexibility as old age sets in. I've heard the theory that even when an injured joint heals "completely", it is still more likely to have problems later. So I'd suggest that this device be subjected to some very long studies before being widely used. Are there any primates appropriate for testing that suffer from osteoporosis, arthritis and other human-like bone/joint problems in their shorter lifespan? |
|
| |
I think there is a difference between bone density and bone "rigidity". This might cause more brittle bones -- that would be bad. |
|
| |
Perhaps could be applied to space
exploration. |
|
| |
Perhaps could be applied to space
exploration, either during long-term
tours of low g's or preemptively during
training. |
|
| |
I dont know if you want calcified bones for your whole body. bad idea. |
|
| |
How about just building on the bone itself? Make it
thicker. You can do this with coral grafts on the bone, the
calcium structure of the coral forms a lattice for the bone
to grow through. |
|
| |
If you could trick the osteoblasts into fortifying the bone as if it had been broken, you could accomplish this without trauma. The fracture must send some sort of chemical signal to the bone cells that get them to do their thing. |
|
| |
I'm suprised at the number of skeptics here, since this is actually 10 year old technology. |
|
| |
"In 1994, FDA approved the first ultrasound bone growth stimulator. The Sonic Accelerated Fracture Healing System (SAFHS) is for adults with small fractures in the lower leg or lower forearm. A cast or splint is used. It is the first stimulator for the treatment of fractures occurring within seven days before treatment. Studies suggest that mechanical forces of the ultrasound waves transform into electrical impulses as they travel through the tissues." |
|
| |
Bones respond to weight-bearing exercise by getting thicker. Bone growth stimulators provoke a similar response, without the weight-bearing exercise. |
|
| |
Cloudface's idea of using bone growth stimulators all over the body, in a garment, for prevention of fractures, seems original.
Is prevention of fractures important? It would seem so. Fractures are so common in older women, that young women are told to take daily calcium supplements in order to prevent old-age fractures. |
|
| |
//Studies suggest that mechanical forces of the ultrasound waves transform into electrical impulses as they travel through the tissues// |
|
| |
If that quack statement is 'FDA approved' I'll eat my shorts!! |
|
| |
Pressure has been shown to promote more rapid fracture healing - ultrasound can do it too, but not by 'transforming into electrical impulses..'. The effect can be brought on by time in a hyperbaric chamber, or by inflatable casts - tricky timing though, in when to apply and release the pressure for maximum benefit. |
|
| |
[ConsulFlaminicus] I agree that the quote from the FDA web site sounds like it came from a quack scientist. Nevertheless, it did come from the FDA web site. I added the link to the links section for you. |
|
| |
I'm interested in bone growth stimulators because I'm using one right now. Mine's electrical though. There's an electrode on either side of the bone graft in my neck. My doctor prescribed it and my insurance is paying for it. |
|
| |
What does electricity have to do with bone growth? I think I read that when a bone is squeezed, an electrical potential is set up within the bone, and that is part of the chain of events that stimulates bone growth. |
|
| |
Kind of like the piezo effect? |
|
| |
Added a link regarding cat purring, which has been theorized to be a healing vibration frequency, including healing bones. Not to mention it's owner-manipulating properties. ("No kitty, you can't go on the patio." *PURRR* "... don't stay out too long!") |
|
| |
Friend of mine has arthritis in her knuckles from doing too much breaking of boards and stuff in martial arts. |
|
| |
She's only 18. I don't think this is a good plan... |
|
| |
[robinism] OK, it IS on the FDA site, but it's written by a fluff writer from the consumer office. I have decided not to eat my shorts, but will eat a pair of my wife's (Incontinentia Buttocks) panties instead. |
|
| |
<desperately searching QuackWatch for article debunking electrical healing> |
|
| |