I was not aware of this news until a few minutes ago. I am a frequent visitor to the site TheTallestMan.com and I found out from visiting the forum that the tallest female in the world had died about a week ago at the age of 41 from some “acute ailment” as the posters claimed (source HERE).

I got the news from this story article HERE. I can’t read Chinese but the people at the Tallest Man website confirmed her passing.

This for me is really, really sad news because I really felt her pain from seeing how her life was going in recent years being subjected to brain surgery. I was able to look past her face and I realized that if you can look past the Acromegaly enhanced face features, she was a very beautiful women. The pictures of her when she was younger showed that she was very pretty.

It just goes to show you that sometimes being tall is not a good thing but can lead to great misery and pain. If we going to chase this dream for increased height, I hope we are chasing for this dream for the right reasons.

As for who can claim the title of “World’s Tallest Women” now we see that Margo Dydek passed away in recent years. So the title goes to either Maria Feliciana dos Santos or Sun Fang. I’d think Maria is probably 1 inch taller from the listings on the website.

Finally, Finally, I have managed to get the 1st podcast up. It should only get easier from here since they always say that for almost everything, the first time is always the hardest, when it comes to learning any new skill or activity. For me this process of putting up a podcast series for this website has been a huge learning experience dealing with all types of challenges including learning about new hardware considerations, software issues, buying new services, and many other things.

For the last 2 weeks I have been putting a few hours in every other day to figure out how to get the first podcast episode up. Now it has been done! Woo hoo!!

Episode #1: My Personal Story And Research

For the first one, it is where I introduce myself and explain my story, where I come from, why I am doing this project. I then explain the few areas of research which seems the most promising.

Forgive me for my lags in the beginning a little. I got a little nervous putting this episode up and I felt my voice tonality change a little and I often stopped to think about what to say next sometimes but I finished it and got it done. And execution is what matters most. It will only get better from this point on.

Note: I am still having difficulty putting this episode on itunes because of a .jpg issue. That will be done within a few days though once I get that figured out.

Click Here to Subscribe via iTunes and/or leave a review for the podcast!

Length of time: 16 mins

Listen Here – (to download, right click and click ‘save’)

Something that I have been getting more interested in recent years is in the possible ways to increase one’s cognitive abilities. For this mind hacks edition, I present to the readers the writings and thinking of Cal Newport.

I was originally informed of Cal’s blog and books by Ramit Sethi on a webinar interview he did with Tim Ferris. Cal’s blog is Study Hacks – Decoding Patterns of Success. His website is at calnewport.com .

As he states on his “about” section….

What is Study Hacks?

Study Hacks was launched in the summer 2007 by me (aka., Cal Newport). At the time I was a computer science PhD candidate at MIT. Now I’m an assistant professor at Georgetown University.

I’m interested in why some people end up leading successful, enjoyable, meaningful lives, while so many others do not. Being a geek, I’m not satisfied with simplistic slogans (e.g., “follow your passion!”) or conventional wisdom (e.g., student success requires stress). Instead, I dive deeper, looking to decode underlying patterns of success.

When I started this project, I was a student. Therefore, much of my early writing concerns the patterns of success followed by remarkable students. I reject the idea that doing well in school requires stressful overwork, and instead promote a philosophy of simplicity: do less, but do what you do much better.

During this period I also wrote three books on my student philosophy: How to Be a High School Superstar (Random House, 2010), How to Become a Straight-A Student (Random House, 2006) and How to Win at College (Random House, 2005).

Over 125,000 copies of these books are currently in print, so people must be finding them useful.

Recently, as I’ve moved beyond my student years, I’ve turned more of my attention toward decoding patterns of success in the working world.  In September 2012, my new book on this topic, So Good They Can’t Ignore You (Hachette/Grand Central), was published. It lays out my case for why “follow your passion” is a dangerous suggestion and then chronicles my quest to figure out what works instead.

Me: What makes him a little more different in thinking than most self help, mind enhancing, blogs out there is his training. He went to MIT to study Computer Science, he is an assistant professor at Georgetown University. He tries to breakdown the process of “success” to figure out why some people become successful and how other people can learn from these already successful people and emulate their results. As he states very clearly in his profile section “…Instead, I dive deeper, looking to decode underlying patterns of success, in all their nuanced glory.”

So far he has written three books, one of which I have bought.

• So Good They Can’t Ignore You <—this is the one I bought
• How to Become a Straight-A Student
• How to Win at College

 [Note: On the Orthofix website there is a very similar product to the Cervical Stim called the Spinal Stim. However for this post, I will be primarily talking about the Cervical Stim Product]

Analysis & Interpretation:

The two products being sold, the Cervical Stim and the Spinal Stim operate on the same pulse electromagnetic field theory (PEMF) as the products we have seen before with other products which are supposed to be easily worn and cause accelerated bone non-union healing. There are a few PubMed studies cited which show that the pulsed electromagnetic fields generated can increase the mTOR level and increase osteogenic activity. The science is weak in proof and there are not enough studies done to show that E&M fields really cause faster bone healing, except from studies done in the 30s and 40s of the last century. The devices are easy to wear and comfortable but slightly on the expensive side.

Implications For Height Increase

While the cervical stim is supposed to be worn around the neck touching the cervical vertebrate, the spinal stim is supposed to be worn around the torso touching the thoracic vertebrates. Each can possible lead to some increased vertebrate lengthening if there is really a fracture in the vertebrate in the right direction. However the increase in any possible height would be negligible since the healing if it does cause accelerated bone growth and spinal fusion would cause the vertebrate to be slightly curved from one side of the vertebrate being having more bone thus stunting whatever few millimeters of height increase the device can give to that one side.

For the Cervical Stim product main page HERE…

Product Description

Cervical-Stim^® offers the security of proven, safe and effective bone growth stimulation to significantly increase the rate of cervical fusion success in high-risk patients.

It offers the comfort of an external device that patients tell us is the most effortless treatment they have ever experienced. Not to mention the comfort enjoyed with improved clinical outcomes: In a PMA study of 323 high-risk ACDF patients, 84% achieved fusion within six months using Cervical-Stim vs. 69% for those who did not receive treatment. Additionally, the data from this study prove for the first time that fusion has a positive effect on VAS and NDI clinical outcomes after ACDF.

Since 1990, more than 200,000 spine fusion patients have healed with bone growth stimulation from Orthofix. We brought you the first and most effective external bone growth stimulator for lumbar fusion, and now offer you the only FDA approved device to increase the rate of cervical fusion success.

• Comfortably worn during daily activities, with or without a cervical brace, four hours per day
• Proven to overcome risk factors for nonfusion
• Next generation design with smart technology and patient friendly functionality

Indication

The Cervical-Stim is a noninvasive, pulsed electromagnet bone growth stimulator indicated as an adjunct to cervical fusion surgery in patients at high risk for nonfusion.

Physician Benefits

• Safe and effective bone growth stimulation to significantly increase the rate of cervical fusion success in high-risk patients
• Smart technology can provide outcomes reports and hardcopy patient compliance monitoring
• Written guarantee for bone growth stimulation products
• The only FDA approved bone growth stimulator for cervical fusion
• Patient friendly, comfortably worn during daily activities with or with a cervical brace, four hours per day

Clinical References:

• Exposure of Murine Cells to Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Rapidly Activates the mTOR Signaling Pathway. Patterson T et al. Bioelectromagnetics 27: 535-544, 2006. Science Sheet (PDF 174KB)
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Rapidly Modulate Intracellular Signaling Events in Osteoblastic Cells: Comparison to Parathyroid Hormone and Insulin. Schnoke Matthew and Ronald J Midura. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 933-940, July 2007. Science Sheet (PDF 211KB)
• Effects of BMP-2 and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on Rat Primary Osteoblastic Cell Proliferation and Gene Expression. Selvamurugan N et al.Journal of Orthopaedic Research 1213-1220, Sep 2007. Science Sheet (PDF 129KB)
• Randomized, Prospective, and Controlled Clinical Trial of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation for Cervical Fusion. Foley Kevin T et al. The Spine Journal 8: 436-442, 2008.

Patient Benefits

• Lightweight, all-in-one unit allows unrestricted patient mobility – no separate cables, control units or battery packs
• Comfortably worn around the neck, with or without a cervical brace, four hours per day
• Patient friendly functionality: Instant information panel with LCDs for ongoing operational status
• Easy buckle for on/off
• Designed for more flexibility and comfort
• Internal countdown shuts off automatically when daily treatment is complete
• Normally poses no issues when traveling through airport security (user should bring product manual with their PEMF device and turn the device off if it must be put through an airport x-ray scan.)

Contraindications

For the Spinal Stim product main page HERE…

Product Description

Spinal-Stim delivers the highest success rates in bone growth stimulation for spine fusion and nonoperative salvage. In fact, 92% of patients receiving Spinal-Stim adjunctively have achieved fusion success¹. When treating failed fusion with Spinal-Stim, 67% of patients achieve successful fusion with no additional surgery. Spinal-Stim offers:

• Proven Field Coverage
• Risk Factor Coverage
• Guarantee Program
• Insurance Acceptance
• FDA Approved Models for Both Cervical and Lumbar Spine

Indication

The Spinal-Stim is a noninvasive electromagnetic bone growth stimulator indicated as a spinal fusion adjunct to increase the probability of fusion success and as a nonoperative treatment of salvage of failed spinal fusion, where a minimum of nine months has elapsed since the last surgery.

Physician Benefits

• Proven Field Coverage
• Risk Factor Coverage
• Guarantee Program
• Insurance Acceptance
• Smart technology can provide outcomes analysis and hardcopy patient compliance monitoring

Footnotes

What I will be posting in this and the next post are devices I have found being sold from different companies which have devices which can accelerate the healing rate of bone fractures. The devices are something that can be attached to the skin of the area of the body the person is trying to stimulate bone growth in.

Analysis & Interpretation

This device seems to be able to use the PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) concept to heal bones. This is similar to the idea of using the LIPUS theory for bone fracture healing.

With the Bone Growth Stimulator System (OrthoPak), the device is used to help accelerate the rate of bone non-unions heal. You have two round electrodes you attach to the skin about 2-3 inches apart from each other and then turn on the device to cause a current to go under the skin connecting the electrodes into a closed circuit (I am guessing). The electrodes are supposed to be disposable and easy to adhere to the skin (with some type of weak glue I am guessing). The electrical signal is supposed to be of high frequency.

With the Spine Fusion Stimulator System (SpinePak) the device is exactly the same but the application of it is different. The main difference seems to be wear you are supposed to attach the electrodes around the lower back region, and maybe also the magnitude of the current the wires are supposed to induce.

Implications For Height Increase

This device which requires a doctor prescription to get is one of the easy to use, lightweight devices which can possible cause a little bit of height increase if the theory makes any sense. Somehow there have been a few sporadi studies and articles published even from 80 years ago which suggest that inducing a low magnitude electrical signal. An old post about the possibility of using the PEMF theory as a way to increase height was written “Increase Height And Grow Taller Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, PEMF“. To iterate the message I had written in that post and add some more content to that old message, maybe the application of a slightly stronger electrical field at a more dynamic but consisten usage to the interverterbal disk area can cause the annulus to increase in width and lead to some temporary increase height of a few millimeters.

From the company Biomet website HERE…

For the Biomet Orthopak Non-Invasive Bone Growth Stimulator System FAQ Broshure

The Biomet^® OrthoPak^®System promotes normal healing by inducing weak pulsing electrical signals at the nonunion fracture site. These signals are generated by a low energy electromagnetic field created by passing specific electrical current pulses through a flexible therapeutic treatment coil. A specific electrical current is delivered to the coil by the control unit. The coil then delivers the therapeutic electromagnetic signal to the nonunion fracture site.

Easy To Use and Operate

The Biomet^® OrthoPak^® System is portable, easy to use and operate; thus allowing you to treat your fracture nonunion while going about your daily routine. You can use the system with a cast or with a brace. The Biomet^® OrthoPak^® System capacitive coupling technology is the only non-invasive technology that promotes normal healing at the nonunion site 24 hours per day as recommended. The Biomet^® OrthoPak^® System can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. Upon receiving your Biomet^® OrthoPak^® System you will receive a Patient’s Guide containing complete instructions. Your compliance with these instructions will contribute to the successful outcome of your treatment.

System Advantages

• The Biomet^® OrthoPak^® System is especially appropriate for treating proximal femur (center of the thigh bone), metatarsal/tarsal (arch of the foot or ankle) and clavicle (collarbone) fractures
• The Biomet^® OrthoPak^® System is the smallest and lightest, low-profile non-invasive bone growth stimulator on the market today
• The Biomet^® OrthoPak^® System electrode placement is easy and universal to all application areas – one versatile system can treat various fracture nonunions
• The Biomet^® OrthoPak^® System is supplied with a unique ergonomic, rotating holster designed for active lifestyles
• Patient usage and therapeutic treatment time may be downloaded to a PC for viewing, storage or printout via use of the Biomet compliance Data Download Software and USB Cable
• Two different types of disposable electrodes

The Bone Healing Process

Bone is one of the tissues within the human body capable of healing itself when damaged, in much the same way as skin and other tissues. When you fracture a bone, the body naturally produces low level electric impulses that help to heal the fracture site. Occasionally, the fracture may not heal on its own. This will result in what is called a nonunion. The Biomet® OrthoPak® Non-invasive Bone Growth Stimulator System is a proven, safe, and effective method for promoting the healing of fractures that have progressed to a nonunion.

How does the Biomet® OrthoPak® Non-invasive Bone Growth Stimulator System Work?

The Biomet® OrthoPak® Non-invasive Bone Growth Stimulator System delivers an electrical treatment signal that is intended to help your fracture nonunion heal. Two lightweight electrodes, which look like round bandages are dermally applied and placed 2-3 inches apart and over from the fracture nonunion site. The electrodes are easy to apply and are extremely lightweight. The Biomet® OrthoPak® Non-invasive Bone Growth Stimulator System is battery operated with a rechargeable battery. Upon insertion of a charged battery, the Biomet® OrthoPak® Non-invasive Bone Growth Stimulator System is automatically activated and ready to deliver therapeutic treatment. The Biomet® OrthoPak® Non-invasive Bone Growth Stimulator System is portable and easy to operate. You will be able to treat your fracture nonunion while going about your daily routine, relaxing or while sleeping.

Biomet^® SpinalPak^® Non-invasive Spine Fusion Stimulator System

Click for the Biomet SpinalPak Non-invasive Spine Fusion Stimulator System FAQ Broshure 

By prescribing the Biomet^® SpinalPak^® Non-invasive Spine Fusion Stimulator System, your doctor has taken advantage of an adjunctive non invasive treatment to aid in the healing of your primary lumbar spine fusion surgery. The Biomet^® SpinalPak^®System delivers a low intensity electrical signal that promotes normal healing at the fusion site. The therapeutic signal operates at a high frequency; therefore, you should not feel anything during your treatment. Two small, lightweight disposable electrodes (conductors of the electrical signal) are placed on your lower back, inches apart from one another, at the level of your surgery. These electrodes are easy to apply and adhere to the skin.

Easy To Use and Operate

The Biomet^® SpinalPak^® System is portable, easy to use and operate; thus, allowing to help you heal while going about your daily routine. The system’s lightweight, low-profile, disposable electrodes allow treatment to occur in conjunction with wearing a back brace or just stand alone. The Biomet^® SpinalPak^® System’s capacitive coupling technology is the only non-invasive technology that promotes normal healing at the fusion site 24 hours per day as recommended. The Biomet^® SpinalPak^® System can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. Upon receiving your Biomet^® SpinalPak^® System you will receive a Patient’s Guide containing complete instructions. Your compliance with these instructions will contribute to the successful outcome of your treatment.

System Advantages

• The Biomet^® SpinalPak^® System is the smallest and lightest, low-profile non-invasive spine fusion stimulator on the market today
• The Biomet^® SpinalPak^® System is supplied with a unique ergonomic, rotating holster designed for active lifestyles
• Patient usage and therapeutic treatment time may be downloaded to a PC for viewing, storage or printout via use of the Biomet Compliance Data Download Software and USB Cable
• Two different types of disposable electrodes

How does the Biomet® SpinalPak® Non-invasive Spine Fusion Stimulator  System work?

Spinal fusion joins one or more lumbar vertebrae to  eliminate motion, increase stability and to try to reduce  pain. Following spinal fusion surgery, in the lower (lumbar) spine, the Biomet® SpinalPak® Non-invasive Spine Fusion Stimulator System may be prescribed to  assist in healing the fusion by sending electrical impulses directly to the spine that mimics your body’s natural  healing process. Two lightweight dermally applied electrodes similar in size to a quarter are placed on your back adjacent to the surgical site. The electrodes are easy to apply and are extremely lightweight. The Biomet® SpinalPak® Non-invasive Spine Fusion Stimulator System is battery operated with a rechargeable battery pack. Upon connection of the charged battery pack, the Biomet® SpinalPak® Non-invasive Spine Fusion Stimulator System is automatically activated and ready to deliver therapeutic treatment.

How long will I have to wear the device? 

The Biomet® SpinalPak® Non-invasive Spine Fusion Stimulator System is designed to deliver 270 days of  continuous therapeutic treatment. The indicated wear time  is 24 hours per day. Certain factors such as smoking, instrumentation and multiple level fusions may factor into the duration of your treatment. Biomet recommends that your doctor closely monitor your healing progress to determine how long you should treat with the device. It is important that you use the device as prescribed.

A while back I had looked at the types of surgery that are done on the spinal vertebrate which have been shown to lead to some height increase. The three types of surgical procedures I had looked at are…

1. Lordoplasty
2. Kyphoplasty
3. Vertebroplasty

The posts are…

• “Increase Height And Grow Taller Using Vertebroplasty And Percutaneous Vertebroplasty“
• “Increase Height By Using Balloon Kyphoplasty“

From a quick look at the abstract of the articles below I will try to summarize the different surgical processes on their effectiveness in producing some type of heihgt increase.

• Article #1: “Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty Produce the Same Degree of Height Restoration“
• Article #2: “Kyphoplasty versus Vertebroplasty to Increase Vertebral Body Height: A Cadaveric Study“
• Article #3: “Kyphosis Correction and Height Restoration Effects of Percutaneous Vertebroplasty“
• Article #4: “Increase in Vertebral Body Height after Vertebroplasty“
• Article #5: “Comparison of Kyphoplasty and Lordoplasty in the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture“
• Article #6: “Lordoplasty: An Alternative Technique for the Treatment of Osteoporotic Compression Fracture“
• Article #7: “Kyphoplasty increases. Vertebral Body Height more than Vertebroplasty in a Cadaver Study“
• Article #8: “Kyphoplasty Does Not Maintain All Restored Height Postoperatively: A Prospective, Comparative Study“

Summary & Analysis: