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In this age of the mobile phone, walkie talkies, or two-way radios, seem like an anachronism. However, many people who grew up before the 1990s may recall that no respectable private eye or detective story was complete without a walkie talkie being used while following a suspect or chasing a criminal!

You may not be the sort who likes to follow suspects or chase criminals as part of your daily activities, but you could still use a walkie talkie in your daily life. If you enjoy outdoor activities, love to go motorcycling, work in a school, college, pub or club or look after a little baby at home, you would find a walkie talkie a very useful gadget. You may need a walkie talkie system if your job requires you to move around from one point to another within a three kilometre range. The benefit over mobile phones is that they are license free and do not have any associated call charges.

For instance, you can use a regular baby monitor if you are at home downstairs and your baby is asleep upstairs, but what happens if you need to visit a neighbour? Some walkie talkies have a wider range than regular baby monitors and also include a baby monitor mode. You can leave one radio in the babys room and take the other wherever you gowhen the baby wakes up or begins to cry, you will know at once. The Cobra MT725 Value Pack is ideal for this.

Workers in pubs or clubs, or teachers and staff members in schools and colleges would find walkie talkies very effective and useful when communicating with colleagues. In both cases, workers and staff members may have to respond to emergencies, and may not be near a telephone. walkie talkies can be clipped onto belts, and come with an earpiece-microphone combination to enable discreet communication. All you need to do to send a message is to press the Push to Talk button on the handset.

Motorcyclists can use a walkie talkie system that fits into their motorcycle helmets, along with the Push to Talk button that is mounted on the motorcycle handlebar or the recommended voice activation via a MICVOX. If you plan a motorcycle holiday with a group of friends, this system should enable you to stay in touch, over a distance of a mile, in all kinds of weather. You will also find a walkie talkie very useful on a skiing or mountaineering holidayyou may not be able to use mobile phones in the mountains or abroad as the roaming charges may be more than you want to pay!

If you are on the lookout for a suitable walkie talkie, all you need to do is take a virtual walk down our aisles at BB-Shopping.com. We stock Cobra and Entel Euro-Wave walkie talkies that you can use at home and outdoors. You can also purchase walkie talkie accessories and download manuals from our site.

Ian Williams

Walkie Talkies

I had been to three different physicians. The car accident in 1990 had left me with terrible back pain. The only option offered to me was prescription medication. For three years I lived with chronic pain - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The prescription drugs helped relieve some of the discomfort, but I had to stop taking them when I began getting sick to my stomach which was often worse than the pain itself. Time and again I thought, This cant be the only choice. There must be another alternative.

It wasnt until 3 years later that I heard about magnetic therapy from a friend, and decided to try it. With nothing to lose, I used a magnetic pad on my back during the day and slept on a magnetic mattress pad every night. Much to my surprise, after two weeks my back felt much better. After a few months, the pain was completely gone!

My wife, who had a back problem caused by herniated disks, woke up every morning with pain and stiffness. Not long after sleeping on the magnetic pad, the stiffness began to subside, and she was soon waking up pain-free as well.

Although skeptical at first, I was amazed at the effectiveness of magnetic therapy, and began to intensely investigate the field of biomagnetics. Since my initial experience, I have had the pleasure of helping many people achieve similar results, enhancing the quality of life of those suffering from chronic conditions and injuries.

Now Id like to take the opportunity to help those of you who may be suffering from chronic back pain, and to tell you how to better prevent it.

Back pain is the number one form of pain experienced by people in the U.S. It accounts for 20% of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace, and is responsible for as much as $50 billion in diagnosis and treatment each year [1]. The National Institutes of Health estimate that 4 out of 5 Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Not a pretty picture from any standpoint.

The majority of back pain occurs in the lumbar region of the spine [2]. Here, most of your bodys weight is placed on the lowest 5 of the 24 vertebrae (bones) that make up the spine. Considering all the other muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, disks, and major nerves that are also a part of or connected to the spine, its no surprise that there are so many ways to injure your back as you twist and bend them [3].

Pain is considered chronic if its recurring, lasts more than three months, and can seemingly be stimulated by any small movement (for whatever reason) [4]. In the 21st century, were finally realizing that drugs and surgery are not always the answer for treating chronic pain or other musculoskeletal conditions & injuries.

The future lies in an integrative approach to promoting the bodys own healing ability by using noninvasive, safer treatments. Acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic and osteopathic care, and certain physical therapy exercises are just a few options to help with back pain.

Following an individualistic approach to treatment is key. A particular therapy that may work for one person may not work as well for another. Often its necessary to try a combination of treatment methods to begin feeling significant improvements.

For true recovery of back injuries and disease, pain and inflammation need to be reduced, proper function and strength restored, and further injury prevented [4]. With this in mind, lets discuss how magnetic therapy can help.

One of the primary benefits of magnetic therapy is the reduction of inflammation. Localized inflammation following an injury is a natural protective reaction. It creates an imbalance in sodium and potassium ion (charged particle) concentrations at a cellular level. As a result, fluid accumulates in the cells, causing the injured tissue to become inflamed. (Think of it as retaining water after eating salty food.)

If theres no intervention, the body will eventually heal itself and the inflammation will subside. However, this process can be very slow and painful. Because of this, treatments that can safely speed the overall process are needed, particularly in the case of chronic conditions like arthritis.

Applying a bio-north magnetic field safely rebalances electrochemical ion concentrations. Excess fluids and toxins are flushed from the cells and removed through the lymphatic system. As a result, healing time is often reduced by as much as 50%.

Since major nerve bundles run through the spine, its obvious why back pain is so common. Pain is caused by an electrochemical signal sent to the brain. The normal electric potential of a neuron (nerve cell) is around 70mV when in a resting state. When injured, a neurons charge becomes positive due to a shift in chemical ion balances. This triggers a pain signal to be sent to the brain.

Applying a bio-north (negative polarity) magnetic field lowers a neurons electric potential, bringing it closer to its normal, negative state. As a result, the pain signal diminishes faster, and in most cases, will eventually stop.

Another important goal when recovering from back injuries is restoring mobility. Magnetic therapy helps relax muscle tissue, thereby increasing flexibility and reducing the incidence of muscle spasms.

About four years ago, researchers in Italy tested the effects of a magnetic seating system on several volunteers. Each person participated by either driving or remaining seated at a computer workstation for prolonged periods, both with and without the magnetic system.

The results showed a decreased myoelectric (neuron) activity both at shoulder and lumbar level by using the magnet based sitting system for prolonged seated work tasks...The system appears to be an effective tool in preventing muscle contractures secondary to prolonged, constrained positions [5].

Because it can be so difficult and painful to move, many people feel they need to rest for a few days after injuring their back. But did you know that bed rest should really be minimized or avoided? According to David Lehrman, M.D. (chief of orthopedic surgery at St. Francis Hospital and founder of the Lehrman Back Center in Miami, FL), for every week of bed rest, it takes two weeks to rehabilitate [3].

A 1995 study in Helsinki, Finland found that out of 186 subjects, those who went about their daily activities as tolerated had greater flexibility and less pain than those who underwent backmobilizing exercises. The *slowest* recovery was seen in subjects that were prescribed two days of bed rest [6].

While an interesting fact, its one that some of us may grumble about. Bear in mind we still have to sleep and give our bodies a chance to heal and recuperate. As I found out years ago, sleeping on the proper magnetic mattress pad will help speed the healing process and can significantly reduce chronic pain over time.

Back in 1990, a 12month clinical test on the effects of magnetic mattress pads was conducted in Tokyo, Japan. The study, led by Dr. Kazuo Shimodaira, involved 431 subjects. 375 of them received full-sized magnetic pads and the remaining subjects received sham mattress pads for control. (Each magnetic pad contained 124 permanent ferrite magnets with field strengths of 750950 Gauss.)

Here are the results of the yearlong test:

On average, 53.3% of the subjects realized the effect of the magnetic mattress pad within 3 days, and over 70% within 5 days. Whats more is that thorough testing for side effects was conducted and none were found [7].

(Note: The magnetic mattress pads used in this study did not produce very strong magnetic fields. As stronger magnetic fields are more effective, a higher energy pad would improve results even further.)

Supporting these findings, a 1997 Johns Hopkins pain center treatment study compared magnetic therapy for chronic pain with a placebo therapy. It concluded that people using the magnetic therapy showed a dramatic improvement, whereas the placebo group improved only minimally. Again, there were no side effects detected [8].

Since the vast majority of adults are not in ideal physical condition, the risk of back injury for them is greatly increased.

If youre out of shape and are planning an activity that requires lifting, bending or twisting, its a good idea to take steps that can help prevent injury in the first place. Magnetic therapy is an excellent way of accomplishing this.

There are three primary actions that take place when using magnetic therapy for prevention. The first two are its ability to increase circulation and to relax muscles. The effects are similar to warming up and stretching before a strenuous workout. Its really the third action that sets magnetic therapy apart from anything else though. Magnetic therapy can effectively control energy flow along the bodys acupuncture meridians (energy channels).

Placing a magnetic pad or support over an area channels the bodys energy directly to that location. Increased energy availability, combined with improved circulation, significantly extends the amount of time that one can exert themselves before muscle fatigue sets in. In turn, this reduces the likelihood of muscle strain.

The combination of improving blood flow, relieving muscle tension, and reducing pain makes magnetic therapy ideal for treating back conditions and preventing further injury. While effective on its own, magnetic therapy is also an excellent adjunct to other treatments. Whether chiropractic, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, or another method, it can help improve and prolong a treatments positive results.

The next time youre out and about, make use of a high-energy magnetic support or back pad. Its a simple and effective way to continue through the day with less pain and a greater range of motion. Trust me. Your back will thank you!

SOURCES:

1 Centers for Disease control National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, June 19, 1999.

2 Pain Central: What Causes Back Pain?

3 Pain Foundation: Back Pain

4 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: low Back Pain Fact Sheet

5 PubMed: Efficacy of a chair with magnets in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders caused by prolonged sitting.

6 PubMed: The treatment of acute low back pain - bed rest, exercises, or ordinary activity?

7 Summary of a 12month double-blind, clinical test of magnetic mattress pads. Kazuo Shimodaira, M.D. Tokyo Communications and Kouseikai Suzuki Hospitals, Tokyo, Japan. 1990.

8 "Use of magnetic therapy for chronic pain" by Joseph Kandel, M.D. and David B. Sudderth, M.D. The Arthritis Solution.

TIPS & GUIDELINES FOR A HEALTHIER BACK

The National Institutes of Health provides guidelines for maintaining a healthier back. Following these and a few other tips will greatly increase your chances of preventing further injury while strengthening your back muscles.

When Standing:

Keep your weight balanced on your feet. Your back supports weight most easily when curvature is reduced.

Dont slouch when standing or sitting. (Keep your hands lightly clasped behind your lower back. This improves posture for your neck, shoulders and upper back, and reduces muscle tension.)

Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.

When sitting:

Make sure your work surface is at a comfortable height for you.

Sit in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position/height for the task. (Use a pillow, rolled towel, or lumbar cushion if needed.)

Switch sitting positions often and periodically take a short walk or light stretch to relieve tension and restore blood circulation.

If you must sit for a long period of time, rest your feet on a low stool or a stack of books.

When lifting:

Dont try to lift objects too heavy for you!

Pull in your stomach muscles, keep your head down and in line with your straight back, and lift with your legs.

Keep the object close to your body.

Do not twist when lifting.

Do not carry an object in one hand if it causes you to lean to one side. (Use both hands, or carry an additional item to balance the load.)

Exercise:

Always warm-up and stretch before exercise or other strenuous activity.

Following a prolonged period of inactivity, begin a program of regular lowimpact exercises. (Ask a physician or orthopedist for recommended exercises appropriate for your age and requirements.)

Speed walking, swimming, or stationary bike riding for 30 minutes a day can increase muscle strength and flexibility.

Yoga or Tai Chi can help stretch and strengthen muscles, and improve posture.

Everyday habits:

Maintain proper nutrition and diet to reduce and prevent excessive weight (especially around the waist area).

If you smoke, quit. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine and causes spinal disks to degenerate.

Therion Research

Your source for magnetic therapy news, research, and natural pain relief

Bruce Spiegler is a registered magnetic therapist and holistic health practitioner. He can be reached at TherionResearch.com - A provider of safe, natural magnetic therapy solutions for chronic pain management, sports injuries, sleep disorders, and natural healing.

With mobile penetration exceeding 100% of Australias population, the mobile phone is now undeniably part of the fabric of our lives. In business, mobile data has become the latest frontier for companies seeking greater responsiveness in the face of rising competition and customer expectations. For many organisations, geographical expansion and the continual search for a better work/life balance for their employees also mean increasing numbers of workers are spending more time outside the office and relying more on wireless technology to stay connected.

The first major milestone in Australian business mobility came when Telstra unveiled the BlackBerry wireless email solution in 2003. Since then, the other three mobile carriers along with a host of other wireless email solutions have flooded the market with choice and greater affordability. More than three years after its first debut, wireless email has now become the most popular business application being mobilised by Australian organisations.

As the mobile carriers continue to roll out higher-speed networks and mobile applications become more commonplace, the market is experiencing another significant milestone, where Australian companies are beginning to mobilise business process centric applications in a major way. Notable applications include customer relationship management (CRM) for sales and marketing personnel, workforce automation and inventory management for workers in the field, and industry-specific applications such as mobile transactions, location services and assets tracking. Challenges

The rapid growth in mobile business applications does not come without challenges, however. The additional data traffic mobile workers generate and their growing needs for a better user experience are putting considerable strains on the corporate network. As a result, companies with a growing mobile workforce are encountering the formidable task of ensuring their corporate infrastructure and business support systems can accommodate the change.

Technical issues organisations are likely to face include:

Network Readiness. More mobile workers accessing company data mean increases in traffic on the corporate network. Access to bandwidth-hungry business applications, as well as real-time and multi-modal communications, such as voice and video conferencing, makes network scalability and quality of service a critical consideration.

Remote Access and Security. As with wired remote access users, mobile workers using a wireless connection increase the risk of the corporate network being exposed to unauthorised users. Increasing numbers of viruses and malicious codes are also making their way to the mobile world. Wireless Standards. Despite its rapid developments, the wireless industry remains a highly fragmented market in terms of standards, with many incompatible and proprietary technologies each offering its own unique advantages. The large number of mobile device choices and operating systems available on the market today only serves to exacerbate the situation.

Mobile Device Management. Mobile devices used in an organisation, either centrally or individually purchased, tap into the company's network and databases, and must therefore be properly monitored and managed. Unmanaged mobile devices can bring serious security risks (viruses and hacking) to the organisation, as can the misplacement and theft of those devices.

Back-end Integration. Given the variety of back-end systems in an enterprise, it is crucial that mobile solutions integrate seamlessly with the existing infrastructure. Companies also have to ensure their applications are ready to meet the needs of mobile workers and the specific requirements of the mobile devices they use without substantial modifications to the databases or applications being mobilised.

On the business front, companies are facing the following challenges:

Cost Control. Implementing mobile solutions invariably involves for both upfront and ongoing costs. Obtaining accurate estimates of total cost of ownership can be difficult. In addition, businesses will need to take into consideration the cost of wireless connectivity which can be significant, particularly when there are no centralised subscription plans.

ROI Justification. Justification of the benefits, especially intangible or soft benefits like improved workforce productivity and business efficiency, can be difficult to quantify, and can vary greatly among the various types of mobile users. At times, companies may have to justify the lack of a demonstrable roi instead.

Training and Support. The resources to support the mobile solution being put in place are as important as the solution itself. User training must take into account the existing knowledge and offer ongoing formal and informal training programs. The IT department's buy-in on technical support and user training forms a key part of a successful mobility strategy.

Convergence and mobility

Many Australian businesses are merging their voice and data communications onto one platform. That move, made possible by Internet protocol (IP) technology, is also allowing them to amalgamate traditionally disparate telecom and IT networks, simplifying the procurement and administration of technologies and greatly reducing costs.

With IP as the common enabler of the technology roadmaps of businesses and carriers alike, convergence is also blurring the demarcation between private and public networks. Since IP is at the heart of wireless radio and mobile device developments, it is natural for businesses to leverage their IP infrastructure and integrate mobility as part of their convergence strategy. In other words, IP is also melding wireless and wireline technologies, thus playing an instrumental role in helping organisations achieve advanced stages of mobility deployment.

Given mobility technology will become an inextricable element of the corporate IT infrastructure, future challenges will likely become even more complex. Therefore, it is critical that decision makers adequately address the early challenges raised here, or they will miss the opportunity to realise the full benefits of mobility and risk falling behind competition.

About the Author

Warren Chaisatien is the Managing Director of http://www.telsyte.com.au an Australian-based market research and consultancy specialised in the competitive intelligence of the converged communications market. Telsytes expertise is centered around the three core competency areas of carrier & broadband, Mobile & Wireless, and Enterprise communications. Telsyte provides industry insights through custom research and consulting as well as ongoing research, including market reports and online databases.

There is no doubt that winsor Pilates is very well know today and it is one of the hottest trends in the fitness industry. With winsor Pilates being a foundation for body conditioning a winsor Pilates workout can take your body and mind to a new level.

Today there are a variety of products on the market highlighting the basic moves of a winsor Pilates workout. Some of the more popular are winsor Pilates ab sculpting, Pilates circles, and Brooklyn Pilates.

A winsor Pilates workout commonly includes exercises that basically make the body more flexible and strong though various movement designed to maximize the body's potential. These are both basic and complex movements.

If you are a beginner of Pilates workout never start with any advanced training always start with the beginning movements. This will help you significantly.

The way the Winsor Pilates Workout is designed is to have a beginning phase which will get your body ready for the advanced phase. This is why it is always important to start small as a beginner.

As you gain flexibility and strength, you will want to move to the more complex winsor Pilates workouts, but be ready they will wear you out. Advanced techniques are all about not wasting a minute of training and motions that work the entire body.

In addition in winsor Pilates workouts there are specific movement for abs. These movement will tighten your abs and help reduce the size of your obloquies (AKA love handles).

To get the most our of a winsor Pilates workout focus on impact, both high and low impact. In a nutshell low impact will reduce stress on your back and knees, while a high impact can be rough on these areas because it includes jumps, skips and hops.

In the end the winsor Pilates workout, can be used by both beginners and advanced people. However, whether you are advanced or a beginner it is always best to start as a beginner. Your body will need time to get use to the Winsor Pilates workout movements, which strengthens your body differently than any other exercise.

For more information visit my site at Winsor Pilates Workout.

Copyright 2007, Jack Harmon.