Shotokan Karate for pain relief?

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Shotokan Karate

Shotokan Karate

First of all, here is the disclaimer…I am not a physiotherapist, or qualified in pain relief in any way.  I am just a person with an interest in the way the human body moves and works.  So if you know more than me, and know that i am just talking out of my hat, leave a comment below and tell me. But I work with several people with various injuries and disabilities.  A few of whom suffer from chronic pain.  It took me a while to appreciate the concept of chronic pain.  As a young, healthy bloke with a background in martial arts I would think that i have been hit by loads of people and got hurt (I was never that good at martial arts!).  I would think:

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Cross training – training when injured.

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Training when injured

Training when injured

My friend was out running in the rain the other day, slipped and twisted her knee.  It is now lovely and swollen and she has been advised to avoid too much force going through her knee. So what does she do now?  Does she have to lay up for a couple of weeks recovering and possibly losing some of the fitness she has trained hard to gain?  Of course not!  This is where cross training (and a little imagination) comes in! First of all, here is the usual obvious disclaimer:

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Requesting help for the Devon Air Ambulance

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Marine Commando Challenge As I mentioned a few days ago, I’m doing the 10 km Marine Commando Challenge on October 9th, raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance. I have a “Just Giving” donation page where anyone can donate money for the charity, and I need your help to get as much donations as possible. … Read more

Recommended Reading: The Healthy Eating Plate.

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Harvard School of Public Health - Healthy Eating Plate

Harvard School of Public Health – Healthy Eating Plate

The Harvard School of Public Health has just published their Healthy Eating Plate (click here). I am going to use this Healthy Eating Plate in conjunction with their Healthy Eating Pyramid (click here) and my 10 Simple Rules for healthy eating (click here) as the basis for helping people improve their diet. Click here to go to the Harvard website explaining everything, or read the following quote I shamelessly stole off them…

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Poll: Why do you train/exercise?

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Why do you exercise?

Why do you exercise?

The gym I work at has been refurbished and now all the equipment is brand spanking new.  So, we have been spending the last week or so helping people get used to the new toys (showing them how they work, how they are different, what they can do etc).

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My new Facebook page.

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My new Facebook page. Help me fill it up! My mate Mark has just set up a new Facebook page for me!  Now I need to fill it up and put it to good use. Please take a look and tell me how! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cerin-Rees-BSc-Fitness-Coaching-Personal-Training/220073511379541

44 half marathons down, only 6 to go!

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My friend Mark has nearly finished his challenge of doing 50 half marathons in 60 days on the Concept 2 indoor rower.  That adds up to over 600 miles!  He is doing it to raise money for a local 9 year old girl who fell from a climbing  frame, and is now paralysed for life. Well, yesterday, he completed his 44th row, so he only has 6 more to do.  His final one is due a week tomorrow (Tuesday 30th). If you havent watched them already, please watch the following 2 videos so you know what he is doing and why.  Then please follow this link (click here) and donate any money you can to a very wonderful cause…

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The Intensity/Duration Curve – or “How come I walk for hours every day, but still get knackered climbing the stairs?”

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Do you recognise the following:

“I think I’m reasonably fit.  I do a lot of walking (dozens of miles a every week), but I get so out of breath when I climb the stairs/run for a bus/play with the kids.  What is wrong with me?”

The Intensity/Duration Curve

The Intensity/Duration Curve

I recognise it.  Every single week someone comes up to me and asks me some version of this question, so here is the answer.

It is all to do with the Intensity/Duration Curve.  First of all, here are a couple of definitions:

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