Two combinations tonight built off the jab.
Combination 1: Jab, cross, hook, hop step right/switch left kick
Combination 2: Fake jab, Rear leg front kick, hook cross, hop step right/switch left kick
Pendulum Step: I'm much more aware of the pendulum step after the switch left kick when I think about it but still relapse from time to time. It's still a little clumsy and not as quick and light on my feet as it could be but it's getting there.
Relax: I'm tensing up before I throw a punch. I'll need to either tape or shadow box in front of a mirror and check it out myself. I need to relax and concentrate on snapping the punches out, not muscling them out and tensing up.
Lower body Punching: I'm punching with my upper body too much and not generating power from the ground and the lower body. I need to drop my weight into my cross and pivot more on my lead hook.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Physical Therapy: Martial Art Injuries
The morbidity of injury in martial arts is pretty high, higher than actually getting injured in a self defense situation (which many martial artists claim to train for). Soft tissue damage seems the most consistent injury in martial arts. At the beginner and amateur level, the most common injuries are sprains and strains, while at the veteran and professional level you see fractures and joint dysfunction. For today I'm going to discuss three common joint dysfunctions and the physical therapy stretches and exercises to treat them.
Rotator Cuff
What is it: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles, bones and tendons that make up the shoulder joint and rotate the arm inward or outwardly and stabilize the arm. The bones consist of the clavicle, scapula, and the humerus head. The muscles involved are the suprapinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis (SITS).
The Injury: The most common injuries are bursitis, which is inflammation of the bursa (the gel sac that surrounds the head of the humerus at the glenohumeral joint), tendonitis, which is inflammation of the muscle tendons, and strains and tears. If tendonitis is left untreated, the muscle tendons weaken and become more susceptible to strain or tear. The most common muscle that strains is the suprapinatus, which runs under the acromium of the scapula and inserts on the greater tuberosity of the humerus. The injury I'll look at is a muscle strain or tear.
Diagnosis:
Stretches:
Walking Wall Stretch, Can stretch (external rotation), Towel stretch
Exercises:
Subscapularis
Infraspinatus
Supraspinatus
Patellar Tendinitis
What is it?: Commonly known as Jumper's knee or Sinding-Larsen-Johansen disease, is pain located on the anterior proximal origin of the patellar tendon on the patella.
The Injury: It is caused by overuse of the extensors muscles at the knee joint (the quadriceps femoris: rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius). Overuse leads to edema in the patellar tendon, which leads to further weakening of the tendon and increased tearing and degeneration of the tendon.
Diagnosis:
Stretches: Quadriceps stretches, standing, kneeling, prone variations
Exercises : The key is the strengthen the quadriceps muscle with a heavy emphasis on eccentric loading. Eccentric is when the muscle lengthens under tension, commonly known as the negative rep to many body builders. Studies suggest that eccentric exercise is the best tissue remodeling which is perfect for rehabilitation.
Eccentric squat on decline
Eccentric single leg raise
Step up
Achilles Tendinitis
What is it: The Achilles tendon is the joining of the gastrocnemius muscle and soleus muscle that attaches onto the calcaneus or the heel bone.
The injury: The tendon heals slowly as it is does not get very good blood supply, as such microtears in the the tendon can accumulate, inflammation occurs, scar tissue or cross fibers adhesion occurs, further increasing the likelihood of tears.
Diagnosis: An example of a test to check for a complete achilles tendon tear.
Stretches:
1. The gastrocnemius stretch; 2. The soleus strech, similar to 1. but with knees bent to deactivate the gastrocnemius.
Exercises:
Rotator Cuff
What is it: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles, bones and tendons that make up the shoulder joint and rotate the arm inward or outwardly and stabilize the arm. The bones consist of the clavicle, scapula, and the humerus head. The muscles involved are the suprapinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis (SITS).
The Injury: The most common injuries are bursitis, which is inflammation of the bursa (the gel sac that surrounds the head of the humerus at the glenohumeral joint), tendonitis, which is inflammation of the muscle tendons, and strains and tears. If tendonitis is left untreated, the muscle tendons weaken and become more susceptible to strain or tear. The most common muscle that strains is the suprapinatus, which runs under the acromium of the scapula and inserts on the greater tuberosity of the humerus. The injury I'll look at is a muscle strain or tear.
Diagnosis:
Stretches:
Walking Wall Stretch, Can stretch (external rotation), Towel stretch
Exercises:
Subscapularis
Infraspinatus
Supraspinatus
Patellar Tendinitis
What is it?: Commonly known as Jumper's knee or Sinding-Larsen-Johansen disease, is pain located on the anterior proximal origin of the patellar tendon on the patella.
The Injury: It is caused by overuse of the extensors muscles at the knee joint (the quadriceps femoris: rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius). Overuse leads to edema in the patellar tendon, which leads to further weakening of the tendon and increased tearing and degeneration of the tendon.
Diagnosis:
Stretches: Quadriceps stretches, standing, kneeling, prone variations
Exercises : The key is the strengthen the quadriceps muscle with a heavy emphasis on eccentric loading. Eccentric is when the muscle lengthens under tension, commonly known as the negative rep to many body builders. Studies suggest that eccentric exercise is the best tissue remodeling which is perfect for rehabilitation.
Eccentric squat on decline
Eccentric single leg raise
Step up
Achilles Tendinitis
What is it: The Achilles tendon is the joining of the gastrocnemius muscle and soleus muscle that attaches onto the calcaneus or the heel bone.
The injury: The tendon heals slowly as it is does not get very good blood supply, as such microtears in the the tendon can accumulate, inflammation occurs, scar tissue or cross fibers adhesion occurs, further increasing the likelihood of tears.
Diagnosis: An example of a test to check for a complete achilles tendon tear.
Stretches:
Exercises:
Friday, October 1, 2010
Physical Therapy: Burning pain
I have a headache and can't sleep. Thought I would write a little about what I learned today in PT.
An older patient came into the clinic claiming she experienced a burning sensation in her knee when climbing the stairs. Burning sensations generally fall into three categories: Lactic acid buildup (technically not an acid but that's another story), bone on bone grinding, or nerve pain.
When diagnosing, you never rule in diagnoses, you can only rule out. So you work through what a problem isn't instead of what it is.
It was not lactic acid build up because the pain is too centralized. Generally lactic acid build up creates a burning sensation in the muscle. Since the burning pain occurred only at the knee joint, we can rule out this diagnosis.
It was not nerve pain because again the pain was too centralized. Nerve pain can take any form of sensation but generally if it's a burning sensation it would be a form of radicular nerve pain, which means it the pain radiates from the spinal cord all along the nerve pathway. So the pain would go all along the leg, which was not the case with the patient today. Now the pain could also be a referred pain, where the pain is experienced at one location but originates from another. However, because the ankle and hip joints of the patient would relatively stable, we could rule this diagnosis out as well. Referred pain generally appears most commonly in the glenohumoral (shoulder) joint and deltoid tuberosity of the arm.
We concluded that the burning pain was likely caused by joint on joint grinding, essentially hypercompression of the quadriceps on the patella. As the patient climbs up the stairs, because she has decreased motion in her right leg, she can't fully extend that leg out when climbing the stairs, so as she steps to push her self up onto the next step the quadriceps are compensating for the lack of motion and thus compressing the joint more so than natural.
An older patient came into the clinic claiming she experienced a burning sensation in her knee when climbing the stairs. Burning sensations generally fall into three categories: Lactic acid buildup (technically not an acid but that's another story), bone on bone grinding, or nerve pain.
When diagnosing, you never rule in diagnoses, you can only rule out. So you work through what a problem isn't instead of what it is.
It was not lactic acid build up because the pain is too centralized. Generally lactic acid build up creates a burning sensation in the muscle. Since the burning pain occurred only at the knee joint, we can rule out this diagnosis.
It was not nerve pain because again the pain was too centralized. Nerve pain can take any form of sensation but generally if it's a burning sensation it would be a form of radicular nerve pain, which means it the pain radiates from the spinal cord all along the nerve pathway. So the pain would go all along the leg, which was not the case with the patient today. Now the pain could also be a referred pain, where the pain is experienced at one location but originates from another. However, because the ankle and hip joints of the patient would relatively stable, we could rule this diagnosis out as well. Referred pain generally appears most commonly in the glenohumoral (shoulder) joint and deltoid tuberosity of the arm.
We concluded that the burning pain was likely caused by joint on joint grinding, essentially hypercompression of the quadriceps on the patella. As the patient climbs up the stairs, because she has decreased motion in her right leg, she can't fully extend that leg out when climbing the stairs, so as she steps to push her self up onto the next step the quadriceps are compensating for the lack of motion and thus compressing the joint more so than natural.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Fight Study
First night back in a muay thai class in a long while. New coach, Pat Cross out of Roughhouse MMA. It was just me and one other guy tonight so it was practically a private lesson. Cross definitely knows his stuff and has some solid kicks. He was able to point out some bad habits of mine and give me some advice on what I need to work on right away.
Snap it out and pull it back
I'm a little lazy after my punches and kick land and I don't pull them back right away fast enough. I need to snap the punches out and pull them right back to my temple. When I kick, I need to land the kick straight back. I need to consciously think of my punches and kick as a full complete motion, throwing the punch out and pulling it back, not just throwing the punch to the target. Snap it out and pull it back.
Footwork after a kick
When I throw a kick, especially my lead left switch kick, I land with my feet right next to each other and not in my stance. I need to land into a side step, or land in a pendulum step (simultaneously replace my standing leg with my lead while shifting my standing back into it's rear position).
Snap it out and pull it back
I'm a little lazy after my punches and kick land and I don't pull them back right away fast enough. I need to snap the punches out and pull them right back to my temple. When I kick, I need to land the kick straight back. I need to consciously think of my punches and kick as a full complete motion, throwing the punch out and pulling it back, not just throwing the punch to the target. Snap it out and pull it back.
Footwork after a kick
When I throw a kick, especially my lead left switch kick, I land with my feet right next to each other and not in my stance. I need to land into a side step, or land in a pendulum step (simultaneously replace my standing leg with my lead while shifting my standing back into it's rear position).
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Halloween a Go Go!
Halloween is coming up. When I was younger, Halloween was just an excuse to eat candy, which was exciting in itself back then. Now Halloween is an excuse to live out my childhood fantasies of pretending to be a superhero or a comic book character. It's silly but I get excited about dressing up. As is my tradition, I only dress up as comic book or video game superheroes that are usually pretty obscure and now it's time to decide which costume I'm going to be wearing this year. So here's a few ideas.
The Immortal Iron Fist
Danny Rand challenged the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying and won. He thrusts his hands into the brazier containing Shou-Lao's molten heart and from that point on, his hands became "like unto a thing of iron" becoming the next Iron Fist. Originally created by Marvel to cash in on the kung fu craze of the 70's, Iron Fist has seen a revival of late due to Marvel's Civil War and the subsequent New Avengers as well as the incredibly well done Immortal Iron Fist book of recent.
The Costume: This wouldn't be too difficult to pull off. A yellow kung fu sash is easy enough to order online and a yellow bandana can easily be ordered but because the bandana is also a mask it has to be larger than your average bandana. Again, I could probably just go to a fabric shop and make my own bandana. The biggest thing would be deciding how to go about the green outfit. Creepily enough, you can buy full suit spandex rather easily online, but that means I would be wearing spandex. The other route is to get a two piece of under armor/thermal type clothing.
Clark Kent/Superman
Mild mannered Clark Kent is the secret identity to the last son of Krypton, the greatest superhero of the DC universe: Superman.
The Costume: This is my super lazy idea. Essentially me with some classes a business suit, and a superman t shirt underneath, that which I would reveal whenever asked who I am or when posing for pictures.
Asian Conan from Late Night with Conan O' Brien
Asian Conan fights to protect late night television, after all, he is with Team CoCo. Above all else, Asian Conan hates cynicism!
The Costume: This breaks my video game/comic book theme that I usually go with and as funny as Asian Conan was, it's really not my most favorite costume idea...but probably the funniest. Pretty easy to pull off too.
Evil ex from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
I loved this movie, so why not? If I do, I would probably go as Todd. I could be a Katanayagi twin but without a corresponding twin it would seem silly. Not to mention they weren't featured very much in the film. *Shrugs*
The Costume: Not very difficult, would either have to get a wig or dye my hair blonde. Would also need a hot date to be Envy Addams.
Terra from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Terra is the tragic protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts birth by sleep video game for the psp. He is a strong keyblade wielder who wishes to become a keyblade master but struggles against his own darkness.
The Costume: Medium difficulty. My hair's not quite long enough for the side bangs but definitely long enough for the faux hawk. He pretty much wears an under armor shirt and some kendo hakama pants. Building/buying a keyblad would be tough, as would his shoulder pad though.
Ryu from Street Fighter
Ryu is the well known protagonist of the legendary fighting game series Street Fighter. With the release of Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter IV, Ryu is as popular as ever.
The Costume: This is my lazy costume. It's an easy costume to make and one I can make on the fly at the last minute if I can't get a costume together in time.
The Immortal Iron Fist
Danny Rand challenged the dragon Shou-Lao the Undying and won. He thrusts his hands into the brazier containing Shou-Lao's molten heart and from that point on, his hands became "like unto a thing of iron" becoming the next Iron Fist. Originally created by Marvel to cash in on the kung fu craze of the 70's, Iron Fist has seen a revival of late due to Marvel's Civil War and the subsequent New Avengers as well as the incredibly well done Immortal Iron Fist book of recent.
The Costume: This wouldn't be too difficult to pull off. A yellow kung fu sash is easy enough to order online and a yellow bandana can easily be ordered but because the bandana is also a mask it has to be larger than your average bandana. Again, I could probably just go to a fabric shop and make my own bandana. The biggest thing would be deciding how to go about the green outfit. Creepily enough, you can buy full suit spandex rather easily online, but that means I would be wearing spandex. The other route is to get a two piece of under armor/thermal type clothing.
Clark Kent/Superman
Mild mannered Clark Kent is the secret identity to the last son of Krypton, the greatest superhero of the DC universe: Superman.
The Costume: This is my super lazy idea. Essentially me with some classes a business suit, and a superman t shirt underneath, that which I would reveal whenever asked who I am or when posing for pictures.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRcPtAKB2A1IwX3lLiRPDzQ6thFrVwK6nXUxhMVGkQ4Z0RE5Mo&t=1&usg=__Jb1rJBu7xP7tEhpBHDsto371K7w=Asian Conan from Late Night with Conan O' Brien
Asian Conan fights to protect late night television, after all, he is with Team CoCo. Above all else, Asian Conan hates cynicism!
The Costume: This breaks my video game/comic book theme that I usually go with and as funny as Asian Conan was, it's really not my most favorite costume idea...but probably the funniest. Pretty easy to pull off too.
tEvil ex from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
I loved this movie, so why not? If I do, I would probably go as Todd. I could be a Katanayagi twin but without a corresponding twin it would seem silly. Not to mention they weren't featured very much in the film. *Shrugs*
The Costume: Not very difficult, would either have to get a wig or dye my hair blonde. Would also need a hot date to be Envy Addams.
Terra from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Terra is the tragic protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts birth by sleep video game for the psp. He is a strong keyblade wielder who wishes to become a keyblade master but struggles against his own darkness.
The Costume: Medium difficulty. My hair's not quite long enough for the side bangs but definitely long enough for the faux hawk. He pretty much wears an under armor shirt and some kendo hakama pants. Building/buying a keyblad would be tough, as would his shoulder pad though.
TRyu from Street Fighter
Ryu is the well known protagonist of the legendary fighting game series Street Fighter. With the release of Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter IV, Ryu is as popular as ever.
Captain America
Steve Rogers is the subject of an experimental Super Soldier serum that transforms his frail body into the perfect human specimen. He fights the Nazis of WWII along with his sidekick, Bucky Barnes. Not too long ago, Steve Rogers was assassinated at the end of Marvel's Civil War. Bucky Barnes, who had been kidnapped at the end of WWII and turned into a Russian assassin, The Winter Soldier, now dons the mantle of Captain America.
The Costume: I love Cap and I really dig Bucky's version a lot, it seems much more realistic than the completely blue costume of old. But this one might prove a little difficult. I can order a decent CA mask, the shield I can buy a round shield and paint over or even buy a CA shield (but I think those are expensive). I can get some black army boots probably at an army surplus store, as well as some black cargo pants easy enough. The trick part will come in the form of the top. One idea I can do is buy a black long sleeve shirt then buy a white shirt and some fabric paint or something. Not sure exactly yet.
Ken the Eagle from Gatchaman/G-Force/Battle of the Planets
Most people won't recognize this one since it's from a japanese cartoon in the 70s but recently the show has received some attention with the release of Tatsuneko vs. Capcom and the planned cgi film being made by Imagi studios (the guys that did Astroboy and the new TMNT). Ken the Eagle led a five man team of bird like ninjas who fought robots and evil aliens.
The Costume: I actually grew up watching reruns of Gatchaman in Korea and so this one has some special childhood nostalgia attached to it. This would usually be an impossible costume for me to put together because it is but then there is this:
http://www.milanoo.com/PVC-Gatchaman-Costume-with-White-Cape-p3141.html###
A premade costume is pretty lame but honestly I'm feeling a little lazy and apathetic this year. This costume is also made out of PVC, which I have no idea what it would be like to wear. It's shiny too, don't know about that. I would however have to make the helmet. I think if I bought a motorcycle helmet and just modify it then I think it would look close enough (the beak visor wouldn't be completely right). Apprehensions aside, this would be a crazy costume to pull off and it's something that's right up my alley as far as costumes go.
So there you have it, those are the costumes I have in mind. If there are any other costumes I'm open to suggestions. Would be interested to hear what my friends think.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Physical Therapy: Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic Headache
What is it?: A headache or cephalagia originating from the cervical spine (neck).
What causes it?: Tension in the cervical spine, whether it's from chronic overuse (neck flexion usually), a whiplash type of injury, arthritis in the facet joints of the vertebrae, or even intervertebral disc disease. Muscular trigger points in the shoulder blade (peri-scapular region) are also notably culpable. The pain is referred so it suggests CNS.
Where does it occur?: In the forefront or base (sub-occipital) of the skull
Treatment?: Cortisone injections can reduce the tension in the neck and shoulders, as well as x-ray guided facet joint blocks in the vertebrae. If the disc is degenerated then surgery is a possible option. Physical therapy options include manipulation and mobilization techniques (MET), ice and stimulation from a TENS unit. Postural exercises and neck flexions and extensions.
What is it?: A headache or cephalagia originating from the cervical spine (neck).
What causes it?: Tension in the cervical spine, whether it's from chronic overuse (neck flexion usually), a whiplash type of injury, arthritis in the facet joints of the vertebrae, or even intervertebral disc disease. Muscular trigger points in the shoulder blade (peri-scapular region) are also notably culpable. The pain is referred so it suggests CNS.
Where does it occur?: In the forefront or base (sub-occipital) of the skull
Treatment?: Cortisone injections can reduce the tension in the neck and shoulders, as well as x-ray guided facet joint blocks in the vertebrae. If the disc is degenerated then surgery is a possible option. Physical therapy options include manipulation and mobilization techniques (MET), ice and stimulation from a TENS unit. Postural exercises and neck flexions and extensions.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Physical Therapy: Congenital Talepes Equinovarus (CTEV)/Clubfoot
Congenital Talepes Equinovarus
What is it?: Congenital Talepes Equinovarus or more commonly known as Clubfoot is a congenital disorder that affects normal structural positioning of the ankle or both ankles in infants. Infants with the disability will demonstrate an inversion at the talus and calcaneus joint, adduction of the talus and navicular bone, and equinus (or an upward bend) at the ankle joint. It occurs in males more so than females by a 2:1 ratio and if it occurs there's a 50% chance that it will be unilateral vs bilateral.
How does it occur?: There are several theories on the development of the disorder. Structural TEV can be attributed to a trisomy 18. Another common theory is that the deformity is caused by mechanical factors in the womb (mid trimester). There is also a theory that a primary plasma germ defect results in the talus bone being shortened and the anterior portion being rotated medially and plantarly.
How is it treated?: The Ponsetti method is the most popular method of correcting the deformity. Essentially a doctor or therapist will manipulate the feet towards the correct positioning and cast the feet in that new fixed position over the course of four weeks until the limb is properly aligned. Afterward, an achilles tenotomy, or division of the achilles tendon is performed to help lengthen the tendon and increase range of motion and flexibility of dorsi flexion and plantar flexion of the foot. A brace must then be worn for the next four years by the child to prevent possible relapses. This treatment claims an absurd success rate (95%). Invasive surgery is rarely necessary in the treatment of the deformity.
What is it?: Congenital Talepes Equinovarus or more commonly known as Clubfoot is a congenital disorder that affects normal structural positioning of the ankle or both ankles in infants. Infants with the disability will demonstrate an inversion at the talus and calcaneus joint, adduction of the talus and navicular bone, and equinus (or an upward bend) at the ankle joint. It occurs in males more so than females by a 2:1 ratio and if it occurs there's a 50% chance that it will be unilateral vs bilateral.
How does it occur?: There are several theories on the development of the disorder. Structural TEV can be attributed to a trisomy 18. Another common theory is that the deformity is caused by mechanical factors in the womb (mid trimester). There is also a theory that a primary plasma germ defect results in the talus bone being shortened and the anterior portion being rotated medially and plantarly.
How is it treated?: The Ponsetti method is the most popular method of correcting the deformity. Essentially a doctor or therapist will manipulate the feet towards the correct positioning and cast the feet in that new fixed position over the course of four weeks until the limb is properly aligned. Afterward, an achilles tenotomy, or division of the achilles tendon is performed to help lengthen the tendon and increase range of motion and flexibility of dorsi flexion and plantar flexion of the foot. A brace must then be worn for the next four years by the child to prevent possible relapses. This treatment claims an absurd success rate (95%). Invasive surgery is rarely necessary in the treatment of the deformity.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Physical Therapy: Myofascial Release Technique
Myofascial Release Technique
What is it?: A physical therapy technique that targets the soft connective tissue (myofascia) of irritated and inflamed muscle groups accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation, increasing venous and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying fascia.
What does it treat?: Irritation of fascia or muscles results in local edema, when this edema becomes chronic the connective tissue thickens (fibrosis), which in turn causes more pain and swelling as well as a reflexive increase of muscle tension which completes the positive feedback loop of edema and somatic dysfunction. Ischemia, or restriction of the blood vessels is also a possible outcome if the edema is not treated.
How it's done: There are two common approaches to myofascial release: direct and indirect. The direct approach is essentially deep massage that directly attacks the restricted layers of myofascia and stretches them out. The indirect approach takes a more gentle and sustained stretching/massaging technique and applies it over time, stimulating blood flow and letting the fascia unwind itself.
Criticism: John Barnes who is one of the most outspoken members in the field sounds like the Ultimate Warrior during his promos and one of those motivational speakers. He talks about "Ancient Warrior" speaking through him and how everyone is unique and the challenges we face. Of course JFB-MFR as his particular extreme view of the field is called claims they can stretch out repressed memories in the myofascia, help the verbal and intellectual functioning of autistic children, contacting the dead (!?), and treating past trauma occurred while in the womb as a fetus (!?) among other outlandish claims. Moreover, there has yet to be very much scientific evidence to prove myofascial release therapy actually works.
Verdict: It's new science but it seems to work. Getting repeatable evidence in the field of physical therapy seems to be difficult. Barnes is kind of a nutcase though.
What is it?: A physical therapy technique that targets the soft connective tissue (myofascia) of irritated and inflamed muscle groups accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation, increasing venous and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying fascia.
What does it treat?: Irritation of fascia or muscles results in local edema, when this edema becomes chronic the connective tissue thickens (fibrosis), which in turn causes more pain and swelling as well as a reflexive increase of muscle tension which completes the positive feedback loop of edema and somatic dysfunction. Ischemia, or restriction of the blood vessels is also a possible outcome if the edema is not treated.
How it's done: There are two common approaches to myofascial release: direct and indirect. The direct approach is essentially deep massage that directly attacks the restricted layers of myofascia and stretches them out. The indirect approach takes a more gentle and sustained stretching/massaging technique and applies it over time, stimulating blood flow and letting the fascia unwind itself.
Criticism: John Barnes who is one of the most outspoken members in the field sounds like the Ultimate Warrior during his promos and one of those motivational speakers. He talks about "Ancient Warrior" speaking through him and how everyone is unique and the challenges we face. Of course JFB-MFR as his particular extreme view of the field is called claims they can stretch out repressed memories in the myofascia, help the verbal and intellectual functioning of autistic children, contacting the dead (!?), and treating past trauma occurred while in the womb as a fetus (!?) among other outlandish claims. Moreover, there has yet to be very much scientific evidence to prove myofascial release therapy actually works.
Verdict: It's new science but it seems to work. Getting repeatable evidence in the field of physical therapy seems to be difficult. Barnes is kind of a nutcase though.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Physical Therapy: Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) and Craniosacral therapy
Craniosacral therapy
What is it?: Craniosacral therapy is the alternative and holistic system that utilizes palpatation to "listen" (literally, some therapists claim to be able to hear the CSF flow with their hands) to the rhythmic pulse and tide of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) throughout the brain and spine. Restrictions in the movement of the cranial sutures cause abnormalities in the CSF flow which in turn leads to disease.
What does it cure: Craniosacral therapy claims to ameliorate the following symptoms: headaches, migraines, neck and back pain, motor coordination and CNS difficulties, Temporamandibular joint (TMJ) dsyfunction, autism (!?), chronic fatigue, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and many others.
How it works: Light palpations and massage of the cranium along cranial sutures to release restrictions in the in the CSF flow.
Verdict: Absolute nonsense. Anatomy 101 teaches that the cranial bones fuse together at the end of adolescence. While there is evidence that the CSF does exhibit a rhythm, no significant causal relationship has been proven between it and a person's health. The claims of listening to the CSF rhythm through gentle palpations border on the absurd, in one instance suggesting the ability to discuss with what one proponent of the treatment calls the "inner physician" which seems more akin to spiritual rather than scientific medicine. Studies have shown that measurements of CSF rhythmic rates are significantly inconsistent among therapists. Moreover, some of the dysfunctions that Craniosacral therapy claims to heal are spurious, autism for instance is still a mystery as far as causes and cures go. I suppose there may be some value in the massage techniques utilized in the system but not for the reasons Craniosacral osteopaths claim. There's always a possible psychological placebo affect that could occur as well. Otherwise, the therapy is completely sketchy. It is the physical therapy and osteopathy equivalent to psychology's phrenology.
Muscle Energy Techniques
What is it: Muscle Energy technique is a method of phsical therapy that utilizes joint manipulation and isometric contractions to address decreased range of motion and muscular hypertonicity caused by injury.
What does it cure: Joint pain, musclular hypertonicity, and decreased range of motion.
How does it work: MET is a direct and active therapy system, meaning it attacks the barriers of movement directly and require active participation on the part of the patient. The therapist manipulates the joints to the evaluate the extent of the patient's decreased range of motion, then places the joint at the barrier of movement and the patient participates in isometric contractions. The isometric conctractions take advantage of reflexive reciprocal inhibition, essentially when the antagonist of a joint is contracted, the agonist is inhibited and relaxed allowing further mobility of the impaired joint. The therapist then continues to further push the restricted movement until range of motion is recovered.
Verdict: MET is a functional and scientific approach to treating decreased range of motion in patients. The technique is similar to propioception neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching.
What is it?: Craniosacral therapy is the alternative and holistic system that utilizes palpatation to "listen" (literally, some therapists claim to be able to hear the CSF flow with their hands) to the rhythmic pulse and tide of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) throughout the brain and spine. Restrictions in the movement of the cranial sutures cause abnormalities in the CSF flow which in turn leads to disease.
What does it cure: Craniosacral therapy claims to ameliorate the following symptoms: headaches, migraines, neck and back pain, motor coordination and CNS difficulties, Temporamandibular joint (TMJ) dsyfunction, autism (!?), chronic fatigue, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and many others.
How it works: Light palpations and massage of the cranium along cranial sutures to release restrictions in the in the CSF flow.
Verdict: Absolute nonsense. Anatomy 101 teaches that the cranial bones fuse together at the end of adolescence. While there is evidence that the CSF does exhibit a rhythm, no significant causal relationship has been proven between it and a person's health. The claims of listening to the CSF rhythm through gentle palpations border on the absurd, in one instance suggesting the ability to discuss with what one proponent of the treatment calls the "inner physician" which seems more akin to spiritual rather than scientific medicine. Studies have shown that measurements of CSF rhythmic rates are significantly inconsistent among therapists. Moreover, some of the dysfunctions that Craniosacral therapy claims to heal are spurious, autism for instance is still a mystery as far as causes and cures go. I suppose there may be some value in the massage techniques utilized in the system but not for the reasons Craniosacral osteopaths claim. There's always a possible psychological placebo affect that could occur as well. Otherwise, the therapy is completely sketchy. It is the physical therapy and osteopathy equivalent to psychology's phrenology.
Muscle Energy Techniques
What is it: Muscle Energy technique is a method of phsical therapy that utilizes joint manipulation and isometric contractions to address decreased range of motion and muscular hypertonicity caused by injury.
What does it cure: Joint pain, musclular hypertonicity, and decreased range of motion.
How does it work: MET is a direct and active therapy system, meaning it attacks the barriers of movement directly and require active participation on the part of the patient. The therapist manipulates the joints to the evaluate the extent of the patient's decreased range of motion, then places the joint at the barrier of movement and the patient participates in isometric contractions. The isometric conctractions take advantage of reflexive reciprocal inhibition, essentially when the antagonist of a joint is contracted, the agonist is inhibited and relaxed allowing further mobility of the impaired joint. The therapist then continues to further push the restricted movement until range of motion is recovered.
Verdict: MET is a functional and scientific approach to treating decreased range of motion in patients. The technique is similar to propioception neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Long Division
"His head was a city of paper buildings
And the echoes that remained
Of old friends and lovers
Their features bleeding together in his brain
Once it started it's harder to tell them apart
He was always distracted
By the very mention of an open door
Because he had sworn not to be what he'd been before
To be a remain, remain, remain, remainder" - Long Division, Death Cab for Cutie
And the echoes that remained
Of old friends and lovers
Their features bleeding together in his brain
Once it started it's harder to tell them apart
He was always distracted
By the very mention of an open door
Because he had sworn not to be what he'd been before
To be a remain, remain, remain, remainder" - Long Division, Death Cab for Cutie
I never did feel comfortable in that white plastic folding chair. Its left arm rest had broken on one end and collapsed under the slightest weight, the back legs of the chair were positioned on an unsteady gravel pit that felt as if it would tip over with the slightest shift of backwards momentum. There was no cushion for the chair other than its hard plastic frame that which creaked with every nervous maneuver. I sat among strangers and makeshift friends, all aligned in a circumference in similar makeshift furniture. In the center stood a table, the top of which was obscured by a forest of empty brown beer bottles and cans. I had been welcomed openly into a tightly knit group of pleasant and jovial people despite my presence being foreign and anomalous. I had been given a window seat into the casual weekend night of a group of peers still residing in the college town I had not so long ago called my home. They offered me an invitation to the drinking, games and festivities but I politely declined, content to quietly watch from the sidelines. Or rather was I just too shy too interact? That plastic lawn chair became my fortress and from where I perched I viewed the drunken revelry, grinning in envious approval of my new friends bohemian like energy. I even mouthed the words to the songs they sung, that which secretly I knew most by heart. I sat back in that plastic chair, keeping my feet anchored to the ground, clasped my hands behind my head and stared into the darkness of the night sky. I had been accepted and yet I could not shake the feeling of disconnection, the sense of being out of place and out of touch with what was taking place in front of me. Why the hell was I so goddamn uncomfortable?
I had came up to visit a friend who was soon to be saying her goodbyes. Having known her for some time, it was regrettable that we were not closer friends. She was always someone I admired and her presence was always something I was conscious and aware of. Yet despite occasional run ins on campus we never really connected, somehow time just passed by and what seemed like introductions yesterday soon were to be farewell. An effort no matter how late was still an effort and when I reflect upon all the bridges burned behind me and all the faces I never had the opportunity to formally bid adieu, I was more than enthused to interrupt the boring hum drum grind that my life had become since college and revisit the city town once more to visit her and send her off once more.
Perhaps I shouldn't have gone back with her to meet her friends, maybe I should have said my goodbyes then and there. I was hesitant to go back when she invited me to stay and hang out, knowing full well how shy I can be in unfamiliar group settings. I had came to spend time with her before she left and for a few hours I had enjoyed her company for a Shakespearian play, that was more than I could ask for. Perhaps a finale at that point would have been more poignant and appropriately timed yet I didn't want to seem rude and turn down her offer, this was the girl who single handedly got me to attend math club in high school after all. Or maybe I just wanted to prolong the night for as long as possible, fully aware of the finite time I had available to me.
I never did feel comfortable in that white plastic folding chair but it was not the fault of the chair itself. My new acquaintances never put me in an awkward situation or did anything that would place me at unease. The scorching heat of the day had receded into a cool pleasant breeze and I was in delightful enough company. I mean no ill words of ungratefulness and now that I recollect, I was rather fortunate to have such an enjoyable night. And it was, it was genuinely a fun and entertaining reprieve from the life I had taken up since leaving college and reminded me of how much I missed and loved this college town. In fact I curse my own meekness and inability to overcome my introversion, how easily I was overwhelmed by the group atmosphere and wish I had volunteered more actively. So why was I so uncomfortable then? Why do I sound like I'm in denial and that I'm reassuring myself? Why did I feel like I was invisible, on the outside looking in?
It's a bittersweet epiphany to realize the life you're missing out on with the people you miss. Despite all the accommodations, something deep down inside me knew that I would never truly fit in with these people and that I would always feel uncomfortable sitting in the white plastic lawn chair. They were not my friends but hers and with an almost jealous longing I watched as she interacted with them with such ease. With my head in my hands I recalled the last time I had felt so relaxed around those I had called my closest friends. The memory seemed so old that the details and features seemed to bleed together in my brain. There was no way for me to participate because I was never truly there to begin with, I was instead lost in my own memories. These people were actors putting on a surreal play that recalled echoes of my own Saturday nights of my own past and I a passive audience. As the night dragged on and the fatigue set in, it became increasingly difficult to subdue and keep clandestine the swelling of conflicting emotions inside me. Joy mixed with bitter envy for what was and no longer is and the pervasive loneliness that such feelings yielded, I began even to hate this city that I had once considered a sanctuary. So many people in my life have moved on and here I was witnessing yet another friend leaving me, no longer would I likely run into her on campus as I no longer run into the many faces that have left me behind. I was disconnected from these people not by place but by time, for them they lived in the moment yet for me I remained in the past.
I will miss her as I miss all my friends that have passed me by. Sometimes it seems like you're never really ready to move on and say goodbye, until life has already passed you by.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Inception
Ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi once remarked that he had once dreamed he was a butterfly, flapping and flitting around happy as can be, completely oblivious to his identity as Zhuangzi and only aware of himself as a butterfly. Upon waking, Zhuangzi pontificated that he was unsure if he were a man dreaming he was a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming it was a human man. The paradox of dreams and reality has become a well known Chinese idiom that has greatly influenced the philosophies of Buddhism. It is this paradox that the film Inception so deftly explores. As a science fiction movie and one of the best since the original Matrix movie, there will be inevitable comparisons with the Matrix. Both films are visually stunning, challenge the narrative perceptions of reality and physics, and both will leave you with a lasting impression that will have you talking about the film after. Yet Inception is far more impressive than the Matrix and any film to come out in a long while, it is one of the best science fiction movies I've ever seen and one of the best films I've seen in a long while.
This blog post will not be a review but rather a discussion of the plot's mysteries. As such, this post will be rife with spoilers so if you have not seen the film I suggest not reading this. The movie lends itself to interpretation and as such I lend my thoughts.
**Spoilers Ahead**
***Spoilers***
Home is a Reality
Dom Cobb's goal for the entire film is to get back home to the United States so that he may live happily with his children once more. He takes a gamble with this last con job, to induce inception on Robert Fisher. The team succeeds and Saito upholds his end of the bargain, Dom Cobb is cleared to return to the United States and have his happy reunion with his family. The ending seems almost too good to be true and so Cobb lets his totem spin once more to assure himself and the audience know that he is indeed in reality. The final frames of the movie stares intently upon the spinning top yet fades to black moments before the top topples over. Dom Cobb did make it back to reality didn't he?
Most people believe that the top wobbles before the screen fades to black and assume that the top does fall (or would) and that Cobb is back in reality. This is the most prevalent theory that most audience members will come away with upon their initial viewing as it is probably the strongest supported interpretation.
So why have alternate theories popped up on the internet, why do people seem somewhat unsure about if Dom makes it back to reality or not? There are certainly several moments and lines of dialogue that draw suspicion on whether or not Dom's world is reality or not. The two most damning are the words that Mol (who is really a projection or a mirror of Dom's subconscious, which further reinforces Cobb's uncertainty of which reality is true) speaks to Dom in Limbo towards the end of the film, calling into uncertainty of what the audience had up til now assumed was reality. Was Dom's perceived reality of being the top notch extractor, being chased down and persecuted by the police and corporate thugs, all really just a dream? Furthermore, why not just show the top fall over? Obviously Nolan intended the ending to be ambiguous and as such since we do never seen the top fall the audience has no definitive answer to whether the world is reality or not.
Reality is just a Dream
Let's play with the idea that Dom's reality is actually just a dream, then how does one possibly go about supporting this theory? Right from the onset of the film, Nolan throws the audience off balance. Most audience members catch onto the ruse that Saito's palace party and Cobb and Arthur's James Bond-esque infiltration is actually a dream easily enough, but to expect that the layer above is actually a dream as well, the dream within a dream, that is something most audience members aren't expecting. What Nolan does is he's throwing the conventional out the window immediately. In the world of Inception, if it's possible for one to have a dream within a dream, or even a dream within a dream within a dream, then it's completely possible for yet another fourth layer to exist. Dom's reality could very well be yet another dream layer.
There are also certain lines spoken throughout that cast suspicion, I of course mentioned Mol's final dialogue but there are little lines such as when Dom goes to visit his father (played by Michael Caine)in Paris, who asks Dom "to come back to reality." Of course for most people, they will look at the top not falling down in the very last scene and possibly come to the reality is a dream theory. Yet they forget that Cobb while in this world spins his top to completion twice during the earlier moments of the movie (once in the hotel after getting off the train in Japan and once more after bringing Ariadne into the dream for the first time). So how does one explain Cobb's totem in the frame of this alternate theory?
The totem is unreliable
One possible explanation is that Dom's totem, the spinning top is unreliable from the very start. We are told to believe it represents a means to discern reality, yet we are also told that the totem must be unique to the owner. Cobb's totem isn't his own, it's actually Mol's. As such, is it possible that Cobb is able to unconsciously control the outcome of the top, that he is able to "project" his unconscious desire for reality upon the top. So in the first two instances when he spins the top, he wants to believe he's in the real world and the top falls over on its own in accordance. In the final instance, he stops paying attention to the top altogether, so perhaps in this instance the top is allowed to act as it is unrestricted by Cobb's influence. But wait you say, you can't actually control your projections and your subconscious, that's true, but as Fisher's second dream layer demonstrated, one's own subconscious can react differently and be altered. Perhaps the top defies the laws of physics and continues to spin. So if Cobb's reality is actually a dream then what purpose does it hold in terms of narration.
Double Inception
One interesting theory that is floating around is the idea that the true inception occurring in the film is not the inception placed on Fisher but one placed on Cobb himself. That someone (likely Miles and Ariadne) are actually pulling an inception on Cobb, planting the idea that Cobb must forgive himself or that he needs to come home to his children. In terms of motifs in the film, the ideas of reconciliation is shared both by Cobb and Fisher and in the end Cobb's redemption seems to take center stage. This would explain why Cobb's reality is actually a dream and why many of the characters in the film are somewhat one dimensional (since they are actually projections).
The strongest support of this is the character of Ariadne, who is an allusion to Greek mythology. In mythology, she is the daughter of Minos and helps Theseus through the labyrinth (the maze motif being so prevalent in the movie) with her red fleece that leads Theseus out of the maze. In Inception, Ariadne becomes the confidant of Cobb and helps lead him out of his own maze of dreams (also, she wears red prominently, which is an obvious tip off that the connection is intentional). The problem with this theory is that perhaps it might be reading too deep into the movie, and the theorist might be projecting and fabricating their own clues rather than analyzing what's in the film itself. So that brings us full circle to the original theory.
Personally I believe Cobb is in reality at the end of the movie, that reality is actual for Cobb. I think the totem does eventually topple, that Cobb's children did age, and that Saito, Arthur, and Eames as well as everyone in that world are genuine. The most important clue however is not the Cobb's totem, instead there is a totem for the audience that seems to define what layers are dreams and what layers are reality.
Wedding Band
Cobb's wedding band is the audience's totem. It's a very subtle clue that I was not aware during my first viewing and actually only learned of it after discussing it with a friend from work. When Cobb is in a dream state, he is wearing his wedding band however all other scenes where he is in what we assume to be reality, the wedding ring on his left hand is absent. This totem stays consistent through out the film as well, making it a reliable totem as far as I'm aware.
Of course director Nolan is completely aware of the wedding band and the ending is obviously meant to be ambiguous, this is clear by the fact that in the final sequence when Cobb is walking through the airport, his left hand is obscured from view preventing the audience from getting a clear definitive answer as to whether or not the world is reality. I think though that if there is a clear shot of Cobb's hand (which I doubt there is) that Cobb isn't wearing the ring as that would be consistent with earlier scenes of reality in the movie.
Reality is all relative
So does the top fall, is Cobb still in a dream or not? In a way, it really doesn't matter. He is a man so utterly lost that he really has no grip on what world is real and isn't. He's a man who in the first half of the movie, he's gripping a gun in one hand as he watches his totem spin, ready to kill himself the moment he suspects that he's in a dream. Yet in the final scene, he no longer cares about the top, he lets it spin and when he sees his children and realizes that they're more important, he walks away and is able to let go of his obsession.
Inception
The magic of Inception is like watching a magic trick unfold (and we all know how much Nolan likes magic tricks if his movie the Prestige is any indication). You are suspicious from the very beginning, you know things aren't as they seem and yet you can't quite piece it all together till the end. Even then, you're not sure if you saw through the trick or not because of the ambiguity of the ending. The ambiguity of the ending creates the shadow of doubt within the minds of the audience, that says that maybe the reality was just a dream, and just like in the movie, that doubt grows and becomes a cancer. The film encourages thought and encourages discussion and in that way, Nolan has achieved Inception in the minds of audiences.
This blog post will not be a review but rather a discussion of the plot's mysteries. As such, this post will be rife with spoilers so if you have not seen the film I suggest not reading this. The movie lends itself to interpretation and as such I lend my thoughts.
**Spoilers Ahead**
***Spoilers***
Home is a Reality
Dom Cobb's goal for the entire film is to get back home to the United States so that he may live happily with his children once more. He takes a gamble with this last con job, to induce inception on Robert Fisher. The team succeeds and Saito upholds his end of the bargain, Dom Cobb is cleared to return to the United States and have his happy reunion with his family. The ending seems almost too good to be true and so Cobb lets his totem spin once more to assure himself and the audience know that he is indeed in reality. The final frames of the movie stares intently upon the spinning top yet fades to black moments before the top topples over. Dom Cobb did make it back to reality didn't he?
Most people believe that the top wobbles before the screen fades to black and assume that the top does fall (or would) and that Cobb is back in reality. This is the most prevalent theory that most audience members will come away with upon their initial viewing as it is probably the strongest supported interpretation.
So why have alternate theories popped up on the internet, why do people seem somewhat unsure about if Dom makes it back to reality or not? There are certainly several moments and lines of dialogue that draw suspicion on whether or not Dom's world is reality or not. The two most damning are the words that Mol (who is really a projection or a mirror of Dom's subconscious, which further reinforces Cobb's uncertainty of which reality is true) speaks to Dom in Limbo towards the end of the film, calling into uncertainty of what the audience had up til now assumed was reality. Was Dom's perceived reality of being the top notch extractor, being chased down and persecuted by the police and corporate thugs, all really just a dream? Furthermore, why not just show the top fall over? Obviously Nolan intended the ending to be ambiguous and as such since we do never seen the top fall the audience has no definitive answer to whether the world is reality or not.
Reality is just a Dream
Let's play with the idea that Dom's reality is actually just a dream, then how does one possibly go about supporting this theory? Right from the onset of the film, Nolan throws the audience off balance. Most audience members catch onto the ruse that Saito's palace party and Cobb and Arthur's James Bond-esque infiltration is actually a dream easily enough, but to expect that the layer above is actually a dream as well, the dream within a dream, that is something most audience members aren't expecting. What Nolan does is he's throwing the conventional out the window immediately. In the world of Inception, if it's possible for one to have a dream within a dream, or even a dream within a dream within a dream, then it's completely possible for yet another fourth layer to exist. Dom's reality could very well be yet another dream layer.
There are also certain lines spoken throughout that cast suspicion, I of course mentioned Mol's final dialogue but there are little lines such as when Dom goes to visit his father (played by Michael Caine)in Paris, who asks Dom "to come back to reality." Of course for most people, they will look at the top not falling down in the very last scene and possibly come to the reality is a dream theory. Yet they forget that Cobb while in this world spins his top to completion twice during the earlier moments of the movie (once in the hotel after getting off the train in Japan and once more after bringing Ariadne into the dream for the first time). So how does one explain Cobb's totem in the frame of this alternate theory?
The totem is unreliable
One possible explanation is that Dom's totem, the spinning top is unreliable from the very start. We are told to believe it represents a means to discern reality, yet we are also told that the totem must be unique to the owner. Cobb's totem isn't his own, it's actually Mol's. As such, is it possible that Cobb is able to unconsciously control the outcome of the top, that he is able to "project" his unconscious desire for reality upon the top. So in the first two instances when he spins the top, he wants to believe he's in the real world and the top falls over on its own in accordance. In the final instance, he stops paying attention to the top altogether, so perhaps in this instance the top is allowed to act as it is unrestricted by Cobb's influence. But wait you say, you can't actually control your projections and your subconscious, that's true, but as Fisher's second dream layer demonstrated, one's own subconscious can react differently and be altered. Perhaps the top defies the laws of physics and continues to spin. So if Cobb's reality is actually a dream then what purpose does it hold in terms of narration.
Double Inception
One interesting theory that is floating around is the idea that the true inception occurring in the film is not the inception placed on Fisher but one placed on Cobb himself. That someone (likely Miles and Ariadne) are actually pulling an inception on Cobb, planting the idea that Cobb must forgive himself or that he needs to come home to his children. In terms of motifs in the film, the ideas of reconciliation is shared both by Cobb and Fisher and in the end Cobb's redemption seems to take center stage. This would explain why Cobb's reality is actually a dream and why many of the characters in the film are somewhat one dimensional (since they are actually projections).
The strongest support of this is the character of Ariadne, who is an allusion to Greek mythology. In mythology, she is the daughter of Minos and helps Theseus through the labyrinth (the maze motif being so prevalent in the movie) with her red fleece that leads Theseus out of the maze. In Inception, Ariadne becomes the confidant of Cobb and helps lead him out of his own maze of dreams (also, she wears red prominently, which is an obvious tip off that the connection is intentional). The problem with this theory is that perhaps it might be reading too deep into the movie, and the theorist might be projecting and fabricating their own clues rather than analyzing what's in the film itself. So that brings us full circle to the original theory.
Personally I believe Cobb is in reality at the end of the movie, that reality is actual for Cobb. I think the totem does eventually topple, that Cobb's children did age, and that Saito, Arthur, and Eames as well as everyone in that world are genuine. The most important clue however is not the Cobb's totem, instead there is a totem for the audience that seems to define what layers are dreams and what layers are reality.
Wedding Band
Cobb's wedding band is the audience's totem. It's a very subtle clue that I was not aware during my first viewing and actually only learned of it after discussing it with a friend from work. When Cobb is in a dream state, he is wearing his wedding band however all other scenes where he is in what we assume to be reality, the wedding ring on his left hand is absent. This totem stays consistent through out the film as well, making it a reliable totem as far as I'm aware.
Of course director Nolan is completely aware of the wedding band and the ending is obviously meant to be ambiguous, this is clear by the fact that in the final sequence when Cobb is walking through the airport, his left hand is obscured from view preventing the audience from getting a clear definitive answer as to whether or not the world is reality. I think though that if there is a clear shot of Cobb's hand (which I doubt there is) that Cobb isn't wearing the ring as that would be consistent with earlier scenes of reality in the movie.
Reality is all relative
So does the top fall, is Cobb still in a dream or not? In a way, it really doesn't matter. He is a man so utterly lost that he really has no grip on what world is real and isn't. He's a man who in the first half of the movie, he's gripping a gun in one hand as he watches his totem spin, ready to kill himself the moment he suspects that he's in a dream. Yet in the final scene, he no longer cares about the top, he lets it spin and when he sees his children and realizes that they're more important, he walks away and is able to let go of his obsession.
Inception
The magic of Inception is like watching a magic trick unfold (and we all know how much Nolan likes magic tricks if his movie the Prestige is any indication). You are suspicious from the very beginning, you know things aren't as they seem and yet you can't quite piece it all together till the end. Even then, you're not sure if you saw through the trick or not because of the ambiguity of the ending. The ambiguity of the ending creates the shadow of doubt within the minds of the audience, that says that maybe the reality was just a dream, and just like in the movie, that doubt grows and becomes a cancer. The film encourages thought and encourages discussion and in that way, Nolan has achieved Inception in the minds of audiences.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Fight Analysis: The Overhand Right in MMA
I have a friend at work who really follows the UFC and he's always bugging me to watch the fights so we can talk about them. I finally got around to it and we started talking about the Bader v. Jardine fight and the overhand right in MMA fights. Jardine was ahead on points and controlled the match until Bader desperately rushed in and forced an exchange and landed a lucky overhand right that turned Jardine off. There was certainly a bit of luck involved and it feels like the overhand right takes advantage of sloppy boxing in MMA more than anything. It got me thinking, why is the overhand right so effective in MMA. So here are my thoughts on the subject:
As an Effective Counter - The overhand right is an effective counter when thrown as a simultaneous counter and from a low angle. Slipping the jab to the inside (assuming no southpaws) and throwing the right over the their left can be an effective counter if your opponent is lazy about keeping their chin tucked or bring their hand back low. It's especially effective if the opponent is punching downward as a lot of panicked fighters have the bad habit of doing against an opponent who's ducked his way to the inside. Generally, good boxers keep the punch straight and tight, or if necessary they vertically hook the punch at the end but still keep their punch tight.
As an Effective Combination - The overhand right can also be used as an attack from below. You still need to slip to the inside and stay low but you first draw your opponent's attention with body blows then throw the overhand catching the opponent trying to punch downward. I would do this all the time and it's one of my favorite combination, I would slip the jab to the inside, throw a left hook to the body and then throw the overhand right.
In MMA - Unfortunately most MMA fighters have some sloppy boxing. It's a strange phenomenon, I'm sure lots of MMA fighters have competent boxing coaches (though I'm sure that's not always the case) and show proper technique in the gym. Yet a lot of MMA fighters get in the octagon or cage and slug it out. They swing their arms with wide arcs in their punches and they swim with their punches. (They drop their hands after they punch) Certainly fatigue factors in to an extent, tired fighters become complacent or too tired to maintain their technique. Still, boxers go twelve rounds with good technique and generally throw far more punches than MMA fighters do, there really is no excuse for MMA fighters. To be fair, a lot of MMA fighters start out as wrestlers who pick up boxing and its evident that their level of boxing is amateur at best and that's not to be faulted on lack of effort just lack of practice. Stubbornness is a possible factor as well, machismo seems to run rampant with a lot of MMA fighters and the pressure to perform and answer the blood lusting crowd with a knockout drives smart fighters to engage in stupid slug outs.
Sloppy Boxing as a Factor - When MMA fighters engage in those slug fests, they aren't throwing straight punches, they're swinging for the fences with wide swimming hooks which leaves them vulnerably open during punching. It's no wonder really to consider a punch landing when there are such gaping holes in the offensive defense of MMA fighters. So why is it the overhand that lands? It's instinctive I suppose, when a punch is coming at your head your natural reaction is to duck away. You're still punching and swinging though and as you're ducking away you're pulling one shoulder back and the other shoulder goes forward and it's only a matter of training that forward shoulder into a punch. The overhand can loop up and over the mess of arms and connect, thus the high success rate of the punch.
Countering the Overhand Right - The overhand right as it's often thrown in MMA is very wide arcing, rarely tight like a boxer's. Compared to straighter punches, it's actually a slow punch, don't get me wrong it still has a lot of acceleration behind that punch, but comparatively it's slow. As such it can be countered and guarded against. The most fundamental defensive technique is to tighten up your punching. No more swimming, no more wild arcing punches. No more crazy slug fests essentially. The second fundamental guard is to keep the chin tucked. As I mentioned first, an overhand right can be an instant counter to the jab so even a tight straight punch can be countered if timed correctly. The way you defend this is by keeping the chin tucked tight against the shoulder as the jab is extended to cut back on the possible damage and keep the chin protected. When countering the overhand right, use footwork, step away and circle off, get some room between you so that the overhand right whiffs. Then as you're stepping away, stick the jab in your opponents eye. Since your opponent is ducking and slipping he might be able to slip the first jab so double or even triple up on the jab. This is a particularly effective strategy for taller fighters with long reach. If backed up against the cage or if you prefer to try and stay in the pocket (risky) and fight on the inside, the trick is not to punch downwards as that'll leave you open. Instead get low and match the level of your opponent first. Or since it's MMA, set up a knee as your opponent is ducking away.
The overhand right can be somewhat deceptive due to the arcing nature of the punch. Yet I honestly believe that the effectiveness of the punch would be drastically reduced if more technical boxers existed in MMA. It's an effective punch don't get me wrong but its use in MMA is often so egregious that while exciting makes me cringe. There is certainly hope for striking in MMA, there are definitely fighters who understand how to use a jab but they seem few and far between on the UFC undercards.
As an Effective Counter - The overhand right is an effective counter when thrown as a simultaneous counter and from a low angle. Slipping the jab to the inside (assuming no southpaws) and throwing the right over the their left can be an effective counter if your opponent is lazy about keeping their chin tucked or bring their hand back low. It's especially effective if the opponent is punching downward as a lot of panicked fighters have the bad habit of doing against an opponent who's ducked his way to the inside. Generally, good boxers keep the punch straight and tight, or if necessary they vertically hook the punch at the end but still keep their punch tight.
As an Effective Combination - The overhand right can also be used as an attack from below. You still need to slip to the inside and stay low but you first draw your opponent's attention with body blows then throw the overhand catching the opponent trying to punch downward. I would do this all the time and it's one of my favorite combination, I would slip the jab to the inside, throw a left hook to the body and then throw the overhand right.
In MMA - Unfortunately most MMA fighters have some sloppy boxing. It's a strange phenomenon, I'm sure lots of MMA fighters have competent boxing coaches (though I'm sure that's not always the case) and show proper technique in the gym. Yet a lot of MMA fighters get in the octagon or cage and slug it out. They swing their arms with wide arcs in their punches and they swim with their punches. (They drop their hands after they punch) Certainly fatigue factors in to an extent, tired fighters become complacent or too tired to maintain their technique. Still, boxers go twelve rounds with good technique and generally throw far more punches than MMA fighters do, there really is no excuse for MMA fighters. To be fair, a lot of MMA fighters start out as wrestlers who pick up boxing and its evident that their level of boxing is amateur at best and that's not to be faulted on lack of effort just lack of practice. Stubbornness is a possible factor as well, machismo seems to run rampant with a lot of MMA fighters and the pressure to perform and answer the blood lusting crowd with a knockout drives smart fighters to engage in stupid slug outs.
Sloppy Boxing as a Factor - When MMA fighters engage in those slug fests, they aren't throwing straight punches, they're swinging for the fences with wide swimming hooks which leaves them vulnerably open during punching. It's no wonder really to consider a punch landing when there are such gaping holes in the offensive defense of MMA fighters. So why is it the overhand that lands? It's instinctive I suppose, when a punch is coming at your head your natural reaction is to duck away. You're still punching and swinging though and as you're ducking away you're pulling one shoulder back and the other shoulder goes forward and it's only a matter of training that forward shoulder into a punch. The overhand can loop up and over the mess of arms and connect, thus the high success rate of the punch.
Countering the Overhand Right - The overhand right as it's often thrown in MMA is very wide arcing, rarely tight like a boxer's. Compared to straighter punches, it's actually a slow punch, don't get me wrong it still has a lot of acceleration behind that punch, but comparatively it's slow. As such it can be countered and guarded against. The most fundamental defensive technique is to tighten up your punching. No more swimming, no more wild arcing punches. No more crazy slug fests essentially. The second fundamental guard is to keep the chin tucked. As I mentioned first, an overhand right can be an instant counter to the jab so even a tight straight punch can be countered if timed correctly. The way you defend this is by keeping the chin tucked tight against the shoulder as the jab is extended to cut back on the possible damage and keep the chin protected. When countering the overhand right, use footwork, step away and circle off, get some room between you so that the overhand right whiffs. Then as you're stepping away, stick the jab in your opponents eye. Since your opponent is ducking and slipping he might be able to slip the first jab so double or even triple up on the jab. This is a particularly effective strategy for taller fighters with long reach. If backed up against the cage or if you prefer to try and stay in the pocket (risky) and fight on the inside, the trick is not to punch downwards as that'll leave you open. Instead get low and match the level of your opponent first. Or since it's MMA, set up a knee as your opponent is ducking away.
The overhand right can be somewhat deceptive due to the arcing nature of the punch. Yet I honestly believe that the effectiveness of the punch would be drastically reduced if more technical boxers existed in MMA. It's an effective punch don't get me wrong but its use in MMA is often so egregious that while exciting makes me cringe. There is certainly hope for striking in MMA, there are definitely fighters who understand how to use a jab but they seem few and far between on the UFC undercards.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Believe
Can you be any more inspired after watching the Superbowl yesterday? It seems like everyone wanted the Saints win and why not? With the story built up around how the Saints are patrons of a city still recovering from tragedy and how that tragedy parallels with a recent tragedy, why wouldn't you want the Saints to win? Arguably more interesting than the feel good story behind the win was the actual game itself. I mean who starts the second half with an on side kick when you're only three points behind? Then the pick off return to pretty much end the game, magic.
You know the Who Dat chant of the Saints? Apparently there has been some difficulty in trying to own the copyright to the chant. The chant has quite a history with the south. It even has a history of being the personal chant of the old WWE professional wrestler Junkyard Dog, a New Orleans favorite and wrestling legend.
The NFL sure did use Arcade Fire's Wake Up a lot. They may as well just contract them to perform for the half time show next year but let's face it, no one would recognize them beyond the first few bars of Wake Up anyway.
Speaking of the half time show, geez, the Who looked old. I love the Who's music but this was not their finest hour by any means. It seemed like Townshend's guitar cut out at certain times and Daltrey's voice was nothing like it used to be. Sure Won't be fooled again is a perfect finale but Baba O Reilley so early in the set? Compare the Who to Springsteen's knee sliding crotch slam into a camera last year, or Paul McCartney's performance or even U2's tribute to the troops and tell me that you'll actually remember this performance?
Ya know who would be an awesome halftime show performer? Bon Jovi. They have a selection of greatest hits (let's face it, Livin on a Prayer would be their finale like it always is), they have new material, and they aren't so old that they can't still rock.
Or maybe they should just give it to Taylor Swift, since she's apparently the greatest musical artist of our time. *Sarcasm*
Oh, Superbowl commercials this year were kind of forgettable, although the Google commercial was my favorite. Nothing extravagant just very simple and artistic and strangely emotionally moving. If you haven't seen it yet, I've posted the ad below.
Nate's home! But I haven't been able to see him yet because I've been sick with one of the worst colds I've ever had. He was on the news and everything.
http://www.krdo.com/global/story.asp?s=11946752
There's the link to the news video. My favorite part is Nate's reaction to the limo. ("This is...nice?") I wonder if we could get some free pizzas from Little Cesars after this? You'll notice that I'm missing in the video, that's because I was curled up in the fetal position trying to cough my lungs out.
Bronchitis sucks.
You know the Who Dat chant of the Saints? Apparently there has been some difficulty in trying to own the copyright to the chant. The chant has quite a history with the south. It even has a history of being the personal chant of the old WWE professional wrestler Junkyard Dog, a New Orleans favorite and wrestling legend.
The NFL sure did use Arcade Fire's Wake Up a lot. They may as well just contract them to perform for the half time show next year but let's face it, no one would recognize them beyond the first few bars of Wake Up anyway.
Speaking of the half time show, geez, the Who looked old. I love the Who's music but this was not their finest hour by any means. It seemed like Townshend's guitar cut out at certain times and Daltrey's voice was nothing like it used to be. Sure Won't be fooled again is a perfect finale but Baba O Reilley so early in the set? Compare the Who to Springsteen's knee sliding crotch slam into a camera last year, or Paul McCartney's performance or even U2's tribute to the troops and tell me that you'll actually remember this performance?
Ya know who would be an awesome halftime show performer? Bon Jovi. They have a selection of greatest hits (let's face it, Livin on a Prayer would be their finale like it always is), they have new material, and they aren't so old that they can't still rock.
Or maybe they should just give it to Taylor Swift, since she's apparently the greatest musical artist of our time. *Sarcasm*
Oh, Superbowl commercials this year were kind of forgettable, although the Google commercial was my favorite. Nothing extravagant just very simple and artistic and strangely emotionally moving. If you haven't seen it yet, I've posted the ad below.
Nate's home! But I haven't been able to see him yet because I've been sick with one of the worst colds I've ever had. He was on the news and everything.
http://www.krdo.com/global/story.asp?s=11946752
There's the link to the news video. My favorite part is Nate's reaction to the limo. ("This is...nice?") I wonder if we could get some free pizzas from Little Cesars after this? You'll notice that I'm missing in the video, that's because I was curled up in the fetal position trying to cough my lungs out.
Bronchitis sucks.
Friday, January 29, 2010
If a body catch a body comin' through the rye
J. D. Salinger is dead. I overheard the news on the television while eating dinner the other day. Not that it's shocking or surprising, the man passed away at the ripe age of 91. Still, it's like hearing about an old friend you hadn't heard mentioned or heard from in a long while, it takes by surprise for a moment, a delayed tinge of sadness.
I've gotten into the habit of documenting my daily actions. Inspired and more so annoyed by how much time I'm wasting away and how unproductive I've become as of late, I've decided that writing things down will help me schedule my time more efficiently. I have come to notice I spend a lot of time playing video games and sitting on the computer at my desk, watching tv or what not. Damn PS3 and it's easy to turn on via button on the controller.
Twitter is overkill. I rarely read any of the posts of the people that I follow. Some people really fancy themselves a lot. I can't decide which is more sad, the people who stalk these celebrities enough to actually care and read all these twitter posts or the celebrities and people twittering about every mundane situation in their life. The over saturation of lucidity probably helped send Salinger to his grave.
I'm seeing Brand New in concert tomorrow night in Denver. It will be incredible. I was supposed to see these guys in October but sickness in the band caused the concert to be postponed. Better late than never, especially considering there's rumors that this could be their last album.
I burned my back with an icepack. You're only supposed to keep them on for 20 minutes at a time or you can experience some frost nip. I didn't notice because I was watching a B-movie martial arts movie called Ninja, that and the fact that I probably had burned the nerves on my back. I have a nice blister back there and a round bruise. *Shrugs* Live and learn.
This time around, I actually owe money in taxes. Surprising considering I'm a bum that only works part time. Obama's stimulus plan also factored in. The irony of paying back the government because of a government stimulus is not lost upon me.
Chinese New Year falls on the same day as Valentines Day this year. I have plans for neither.
Who the hell is the Situation and what the hell is Jersey Shore?
This most recent season of Scrubs is different but a lot better than I expected. Usually when you have a "new class" type of spin off show, the show fails because it loses the characters that really matter. Certainly the show isn't the same without the Janitor, JD, Elliot, or Ted, but for Dr. Cox, Turk, Kelso and Denise to be the only returning characters and be able to hold the show together just goes to show how great secondary characters are in Scrubs. The new characters aren't horrible either: Lucy is supposed to be the new narrator but she's not quite as strong of a character as Braff's JD, still her mix of neurotic Elliot and random JD-ness is funny, Cole was obnoxious for the first half of the season but has gotten funnier and his stupidity channels the Todd one liner hilarity. Drew is the best addition to the cast in my opinion, as the prized student of dr. cox and the boyfriend of Denise, he actually ends up getting the most air time it seems thanks to his interaction and dynamic with the two other hilarious characters. I've always liked Denise as well and she continues to be funny. It's a shame that the ratings haven't been too great so I guess ABC is trying to burn through the season (it's almost over if I'm not mistaken, 3 or 4 more episodes to go I think?), it's not quite the old Scrubs but it's not such a train wreck as I had originally thought it might be.
Nate is coming home soon. Yay!! Man, can't believe it's been a year already. Sure did miss that guy.
I've gotten into the habit of documenting my daily actions. Inspired and more so annoyed by how much time I'm wasting away and how unproductive I've become as of late, I've decided that writing things down will help me schedule my time more efficiently. I have come to notice I spend a lot of time playing video games and sitting on the computer at my desk, watching tv or what not. Damn PS3 and it's easy to turn on via button on the controller.
Twitter is overkill. I rarely read any of the posts of the people that I follow. Some people really fancy themselves a lot. I can't decide which is more sad, the people who stalk these celebrities enough to actually care and read all these twitter posts or the celebrities and people twittering about every mundane situation in their life. The over saturation of lucidity probably helped send Salinger to his grave.
I'm seeing Brand New in concert tomorrow night in Denver. It will be incredible. I was supposed to see these guys in October but sickness in the band caused the concert to be postponed. Better late than never, especially considering there's rumors that this could be their last album.
I burned my back with an icepack. You're only supposed to keep them on for 20 minutes at a time or you can experience some frost nip. I didn't notice because I was watching a B-movie martial arts movie called Ninja, that and the fact that I probably had burned the nerves on my back. I have a nice blister back there and a round bruise. *Shrugs* Live and learn.
This time around, I actually owe money in taxes. Surprising considering I'm a bum that only works part time. Obama's stimulus plan also factored in. The irony of paying back the government because of a government stimulus is not lost upon me.
Chinese New Year falls on the same day as Valentines Day this year. I have plans for neither.
Who the hell is the Situation and what the hell is Jersey Shore?
This most recent season of Scrubs is different but a lot better than I expected. Usually when you have a "new class" type of spin off show, the show fails because it loses the characters that really matter. Certainly the show isn't the same without the Janitor, JD, Elliot, or Ted, but for Dr. Cox, Turk, Kelso and Denise to be the only returning characters and be able to hold the show together just goes to show how great secondary characters are in Scrubs. The new characters aren't horrible either: Lucy is supposed to be the new narrator but she's not quite as strong of a character as Braff's JD, still her mix of neurotic Elliot and random JD-ness is funny, Cole was obnoxious for the first half of the season but has gotten funnier and his stupidity channels the Todd one liner hilarity. Drew is the best addition to the cast in my opinion, as the prized student of dr. cox and the boyfriend of Denise, he actually ends up getting the most air time it seems thanks to his interaction and dynamic with the two other hilarious characters. I've always liked Denise as well and she continues to be funny. It's a shame that the ratings haven't been too great so I guess ABC is trying to burn through the season (it's almost over if I'm not mistaken, 3 or 4 more episodes to go I think?), it's not quite the old Scrubs but it's not such a train wreck as I had originally thought it might be.
Nate is coming home soon. Yay!! Man, can't believe it's been a year already. Sure did miss that guy.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
2010
I think I want to enlist in the military.
That was dramatic right? Actually, it's been something I've always considered. Lately I've been in such a rut. Whenever I get in ruts, I need some sort of drastic change to get me motivated and moving again. The military would certainly be it. I'm not terribly unhappy or anything, I'm just not going anywhere and I'm not the most patient of persons. I need a real job, new experiences, and possibly a new location...and the military would force me to do it. I feel like it would really drive me and focus me to chase after my full potential.
Ugh, I think it's just a really slow week for me (which it has been).
That was dramatic right? Actually, it's been something I've always considered. Lately I've been in such a rut. Whenever I get in ruts, I need some sort of drastic change to get me motivated and moving again. The military would certainly be it. I'm not terribly unhappy or anything, I'm just not going anywhere and I'm not the most patient of persons. I need a real job, new experiences, and possibly a new location...and the military would force me to do it. I feel like it would really drive me and focus me to chase after my full potential.
Ugh, I think it's just a really slow week for me (which it has been).
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