Death of Mr.Lazerescu

I finally found a copy of this award winning movie. I believe there is only one in the local rental store. I have been looking for it since I first saw a review late in 2006.

For some unknown reason it is labelled as a comedy but this is a movie about a dark and grim ordeal into the Romanian hospital system. Ironically, the old gentleman who gets launched into this medical journey is named Dante Remus Lazarescu. He manages to navigate through various forms of health care delivery hell.

In this day of TV medical programs this film is a slow version but nevertheless intense.

Even though the film takes place in Romania, I suspect that medical professionals might recognize that elements described could be easily transferred elsewhere.

I think it would be a useful resource for graduating health professionals and administrators.

Banff Film Festival

What a festival this year. My favourite this year was Ice Mines - a film about a
unique climbing expedition led by Will Gadd into an abandoned mine in Sweden.













I have been in some caves in Slovakia but who would have thought about ice climbing in an abandoned mine. Gadd and company found an extraordinary icicle formation and a good section of the filmcaptures how they manage to climb this feature they named the Brain.


















Apparently there are thousands of frozen mines in Sweden just waiting for more climbers. One mine they visited dated back more than 600 years.

Another film that was quite extraordinary was 20 Seconds of Joy..











This film follows the career of a Norwegian Base jumper until the event that brings her jumping to a startling impasse.

Lots of other entries that were fun and amazing like King Lines. Check out:

http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/festivals/2007/film/awards/king_lines.asp

Real Pain

Global Year Against Pain in Women


The International Association for the Study of Pain(IASP) has declared 2008 the Global year Against Pain in Women.



This is an effort to draw attention to the siginificant impact chronic pain has on women, since chronic pain affects a greater number of women than men around the world. However women are less likely to receive treatment.

IASP has promoted the Global Day and Global Year Against Pain for a number of years now primarily to raise awareness of pain worldwide. 2007 focused on pain in older pesons and 2006 focused on pain in children. The Global Year, is a year-long event held to raise awareness of the different aspects of pain.

Why the need to focus on pain?

Pain, particularly chronic pain, can significantly impact on quality of life and can continue to do so as the average lifespan increases. In developing countries there are several serious diseases that can cause severe pain for which there is often little or no pain relief available.

The IASP believes it is important to raise the profile of pain and promote the recognition of chronic pain as an important health concern. Few people die of pain, but many people die in pain and even more live in pain.

You can find more information at the IASP website. In your own area you may be able to contact a physiotherapist who could link you with a session(s)on chronic pain.

Post Noel Storm

As kayakers we spend a lot of time weather and wave watching. Tropical storm Noel looked like it's influence had the potential to reach Newfoundland. Indirectly it did. Mostly, residents and families who live near the coast are only to happy to be passed over by any storm, since in the past wharfs have proven difficult and costly to replace.

Early Sunday November 4 I was out to Outer Cove and Middle Cove assessing the waves and post storm serge as a result of tropical storm Noel.

Rain, fog and heavy winds were all present but wave action was minimal.

It appears from all the reports that the Nova Scotia coast and New Brunswick got the worst of the storm.

Photo contest submission

Recently I submitted this photo to the KNL photo contest. It was shot in Spaniard's Bay(Newfoundland) in early May. I recall leaving St.John's - it was cold, rainy, foggy and we almost turned around. But in this area it was a beautiful day and only the two of us kayaking at that time.

Check out the KNL website: www.kayakers.nf.ca
to view the photo of the month for October - a spectacular image taken by D McQuiod of Chris Buchanan going down a scary(to me) section of Little Harbour River.

Tennis elbow

From time to time I am asked to provide some assistance in dealing with the problem
commonly referred to as tennis elbow. Usually, the inquiries are from my baseball playing son after an intense game where he has taken on more of pitching job than his arm anticipated.


What is tennis elbow?

The official diagnosis is: lateral epicondylitis. These terms serve to identify the outside of the elbow as the region involved and inflammation of the common wrist extensors as the primary source of the problem. The condition is almost entirely an overuse syndrome. The onset with tennis players can usually be traced to a technique change or alteration in their backhand stroke, where intermediate players for one reason or the other "break the wrist" and repeatedly extend the wrist rather than keep the wrist straight and part of and extension of the arm and racquet.

For the rest of us - any repeated extension of the wrist may be enough to set off this condition. For example, hammering, computer work and with the recent election excessive hand shaking. The borrowed picture below, shows where the wrist extensors take their origin. When excessive tension is applied there can be quite a reaction at the bony attachment.

Some controversy exists regarding the pathology of tennis elbow. While largely thought as a musculotendionous disorder, the lateral elbow pain can arise from intra-articular, tenoperiosteal causes as well as from radio-humeral bursitis, radial nerve entrapment or in some cases be referred from the cervical spine.
















Common treatments:
1. as shown in photo below, some find using an epicondylitis clasp provides relief - much like grasping or holding the muscle to reduce it's pull on the bony attachment.
2. cryotherapy - ice to the region (with caution), usually an ice pack over a moist cloth for 8 minutes can be very effective.
3. stretch the wrist extensors gently(by bending the wrist) - hold for 20-30 seconds, repeat 4-5 times
4. strengthen the muscles - use a small weight(4-5 lbs). place wrist over knee and lower the weight slowly, use the other hand to bring the weight back to the start position. repeat 6-8 times 3 sets
5. ice again
6. modify what you do and how you do it.














For some, the use of acupuncture has been a great addition to the overall treatment -exercise and technique correction. Acupuncture as it relates to relevant anatomy of the region appears to have a sound rationale. The radial nerve is a continuation of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and receives contributions from C5, C6, C7 and C8 nerve roots. On entering the forearm the radial nerve and it's divisions are in close contact with the radio-humeral joint.

The anatomy slide shows a point in the forearm, between the radius and ulna that stimulates the extensor muscles and the radial nerve. There are three points in the forearm that can be used for tennis elbow and three near the muscle attachment at the elbow.


































If you are a tennis player the force to serve or return a serve as a ground stroke, either forehand or backhand can be substantial - consider the following:
1. grip size - is it accurate for you? too little and too big can both promote excessive wrist extension.
2. head size - while oversized raquets are popular and can be very effective they may not be for everyone, especially since the added torque is significant if your shots are off centre.
3. tension on the strings - high tension can increase vibration and torque and these forces can be transmitted through the racquet to your arm.

Bay Bulls

Bread and Cheese Point





Pulpit Rock within Useless Bay



heading in around the sea stack Pulpit Rock






The Flats




Grass Cove











Bay Bulls is just a 30-40 minute drive from St.John's. Paddling here is an opportunity for a quick workout and a good opportuntity to see some nice coastal features.
There is a public wharf beside O'Brien Whale Tours.
Across the bay there is small beach where you could launch or at least land for a break if needed. This is home to the Gatherall's Tour group.
The north shore was where we wanted to go for some pictures, particularly of the Pulpit. The east coast trail meanders from the end of the paved road just past Bread and Cheese B&B, named for Bread and Cheese Cove - to the light house and beyond to the Spout.
The area here is quite well known as an early settlement dating back to the late 1700s. Useless Bay is the interesting and fairly accurate name given to a stretch of coast in this area. It seems this name was given out of a sense of frustration; apparently for the inhospitable natural design of the shore for the building of stages and wharfs. There are many descriptions of the area since small settlements were located between the lighthouse and the main community. It is worthwhile reading some of these as you paddle along or hike the equivalent on shore.
While hugging the shore it is sometimes difficult to paddle due to the sea state - a combination of swell, wind and wave action it gives a good glimpse of the landscape and an appreciation of how and what fishermen must have coped with years ago.
In the off season or when you can't get out in a kayak the Spout hike is worth the 6 -7 hours it takes. In 1794 it was described as one of the most singular natural curiositys in Newfoundland. Thanks to the work and preservation efforts of the East Coast Trail association it remains an amazing site.