OUR HEADS OUR ALL!

The first, last and only slap I received from my dad was a resounding and resetting (corrective) one that I promised myself “never again” will I ever put myself in any position where  such a slap would be warranted from him again. The shock and the lasting effect gives me the shivers till today even though I was barely a teenager when it happened. Just imagine that kind of slap from an angry uniformed ‘oga’ commandant at the barracks, then you’d understand the kind of slap I’m talking about. Even though he later apologized when he found out I was wrong accused, I didn’t feel any better as the horror was beyond explanation.

And so it is with such a horror I watch any boxing match and always wonder how the boxers cope with the heavy blows received on their heads and faces. I keep wondering that if a single slap did what it did to me (as I saw many stars hovering about my head) then one can only imagine what the blows would feel like. Forget about those headgears! I think they do little or nothing in protecting them.

I’ve always feared for them, wondering if it wouldn’t lead to head concussions or brain injuries. Thus it didn’t come too much as a surprise when I heard on sky news that young Patrick Day, an American boxer has just died at 27  as a result of a brain injury he received while in a fight with Charles Conwell in Chicago barely four days after. I wasn’t too surprised.

Head injuries are some of the most complicated injuries in the world today.

People mostly get head injuries from accidents anywhere, including domestic accidents. Sometimes from just ordinary play to hitting your head against a wall or even as little as while getting into a car and hitting the head against the door frame, can cause issues in the head. Those are examples of accidents.

Even some parents and guardians are very guilty of hitting their wards on the heads and this is a "no no" that should  be stopped.

But then, how does one handle the boxing sport? What are the kinds of steps taken to ensure that these injuries are reduced or completely eradicated? No one would suggest that it should be stopped; as it’s a means of livelihood for those involved and also an exciting game for some. So what measures should henceforth be taken?

As the world mourns the exit of Patrick day, we hope that the issue of injuries during these money spinning fights be looked into in order to save other young ones like Patrick, premature deaths.

©Stella Ene – Inyang

WHAT IS IN A MASSAGE?

If there was a button for ‘like’ or ‘hate’ here on this particular article I would  swear that I would record a lot of ‘hits’ on the ‘hate’ button especially from all those who run beauty saloons and spas not leaving out my regular beauty parlour as well because of the alternative that would be mentioned here.

The other day, I was in dire need of a massage for my feet as they were killing me badly in a way so very unlike Luther Vandross killing me softly, my feet were doing the very opposite,. Obviously as a result of stress or fatigue from long standing, walking or whatever. For a long while now, I haven’t had a good foot or body massage.

Sometime ago, after a session at the gym, one of the ladies there said to an instructor “please I need a massage” and my ears went ‘grrrrrng’ standing up like a magic word had been said.

Fair enough, I would own up here and say in that statement, there truly was a magic word and it was none other than ‘massage’. Oh how I love that word!

For me and many others especially hard working women like ‘yours sincerely’, we love not just a quick rub but good pampering every now and then which includes a proper massage of the entire body by a professional at the spas or good ‘Ijaw’ woman’s place which is always by far cheaper and more intensive as the 'Ijaw' women may even leave you completely 'broken'  from all the body pains given the expertise by their blessed hands. How they do it, that I really do not know. Such talents are rare gifts and inspite of all their strong hands, we all really love massages.

Why is that? What is wrong with just rubbing your feet or somebody giving your shoulder or back a quick back rub or if it hurts so badly, take painkillers? Many are more likely to ask. But hey! Let me stop you before you even get such questions popping out. There is nothing as good as a great massage after a hard day’s job. Can I get a witness?

One of the good news is that you can get a good massage even without visiting the spas. There loads of local women who go to homes and offices to give these massages these day for a fee and be assured that these fees are a whole lot less than what obtains in many ‘overly hyped’ saloons and spas.

Even at that, care should still be taken when embarking this ‘massaging’ journey as some of such massages meant for relaxation and healing of body pains and other health issues could lead to more complications if not properly explained.

For example, massage, apart from giving relief from minor regular body pains whilst producing feelings of care and comfort in some cases, studies have demonstrated that massage is also beneficial for persons suffering from stress related insomnia, anxiety, soft tissue strains or injuries, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, headaches, joint pains amongst others.

Nevertheless, some other studies have also highlighted some risks involved as well as massage may not be beneficial to people who have some medical history which include people who may be suffering from thrombosis, severe osteoporosis, bleeding disorders or even on blood thinning medication, having fractures or burns as well as healing wounds.

This therefore means that massage as ‘sweet’ or magical it sounds to the ears, it should not be taking as a complete replacement for having regular medical checkup and attention as sometimes even people are posed with more serious health issues from having undergone too much pressure from massaging, hence  serious caution should be taken when it comes to massage.