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BETTER OPTIONS FOR BAD SITUATIONS // HEADACHE REMEDIES
> If you're going to do it, be smart.
When Amanda Schulze feels a headache coming on, she reaches for two things: Excedrin Migraine and a pillow. "After I take a nap, I feel well-rested and energized," Schulze, Wichita freshman, says.
Common causes of headaches among college students are muscle contraction or blood vessel irritation. The pain and inflammation occur for a variety of reasons, including increased stress, dehydration or an illness like a cold or viral infection, says Benjamin Wedo, a professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin. As most headaches are due to spasm and inflammation of the scalp muscles, medications like Advil and Motrin work their magic on headaches with an anti-inflammatory effect, just like they would on any other sore muscles on the body.
Medication isn't the only way to fight off a headache, however. Wedo also recommends the following:
Photo by Justine Patton
No more meds: Treating the headache with a massage or heat can help relieve the pain.
Treat the area of the scalp that is sore with ice or heat.
Massage the muscles to relieve some of the spasm and inflammation.
Stretch out the neck muscles. These muscles are interrelated with the scalp muscles, so when they get tight, they can go into spasm and cause a headache as well.
Seek out a dark, quiet room and try to rest.
// JUSTINE PATTON
BETTER OPTIONS FOR BAD SITUATIONS // MASSAGES
> If you're going to do it, be smart.
Stresses of life got you tied in a knot? Sixty minutes with your local masseuse may be exactly what you need to unwind. Research has shown that massage therapy is both physically and mentally beneficial.
Edited by Erin Wilbert
"Massages help to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation and increase range of motion, while also bringing the client to a state of deep relaxation," Christine Holland-Gerson, owner of Body Balance Healing, says.
Contributed Photo Pressure points: Receiving a massage can produce mental and physical benefits for your body.
Studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute have found massage therapy can enhance attentiveness, reduce stress hormones and alleviate depressive symptoms. "My clients report feeling wonderful after a massage," Holland-Gerson says. "For some, it is the only time they are able to experience relaxation in their busy lives."
The positive effect massage therapy can have on productivity has made corporate chair massage one of the most popular benefits in the workplace, and, if you're lucky, the KU dorms. "When I lived in the dorms last year, they offered free massages for students to relieve stress before exams," Taylor Ballis, Naperville, Ill., sophomore, says. If you don't live in a dorm or need more than a 15-minute quickie, you can expect to pay $45 to $60 for an hour massage at one of Lawrence's five day spas, including Salon Di Marco, Massage Envy and Rejuvene Salon and Day Spa.
Beating the Sooners or Longhorns once is hard enough. Beating them over a twelve game schedule is infinitely more challenging.
// JACK RAFFERTY
GOOD FOR YOU BAD FOR YOU // AROMATHERAPY CANDLES > Sometimes it's hard to tell
The new television deal is nice, no doubt about it. But if any of the former Big 12 north schools want to even sniff a conference title in the near future, they'll search for two more schools to join the conference, thus putting the divisions back in place. Memphis, Louisville and BYU have been thrown around as possibilities, and any of those schools would be a good fit for the Big 12, especially for every school not named Oklahoma or Texas.
The exotic names, vivacious scents and promise of better health are often enough to entice Americans into spending $20 on a candle, but do they work?
Aromatherapy candles contain extracted plant oils that have been used to improve psychological and physical health for centuries. Because each of the 58 essential oils used in aromatherapy affect the body differently, choosing the appropriate oil is important. "I use aromatherapy candles containing eucalyptus once a month to clear my sinuses," Stu Brand, Overland Park KU alumnus, says.
When you inhale essential oils, the olfactory receptor cells that transmit impulses to the limbic system are stimulated. The limbic system, known as the emotional center of the brain, is connected to areas of the brain linked to memory, breathing and blood circulation. "It really is a science," Marcia Butell, owner of Rejuvene Salon and Spa, says. "Because it has an effect on the body, you want to make sure you choose the right oil."
Photo by Jack Rafferty Smell good: Aromatherapy candles can have positive effects on your mood and rest.
Reijuvene, 13 E. 8th St., began selling its own line of aromatherapy candles in 2001. The line features three candles, each creating a different effect when burnt. The Balancing candle contains lavender, ylang ylang and patchouli to create an atmosphere of relaxation. The Energy candle has peppermint oil to aide in concentration, while the Peace candle containing mint oil is used as a decongestant.
While all scented candles are effective in masking odors or setting the mood, only aromatherapy candles containing essential oils can benefit your health. "The candles put me in a trance that takes my mind off the day and my worries away," Brand says.
Take 2007 for example. Kansas had its most successful season in school history, winning 12 games and capturing the FedEx Orange Bowl. Conveniently, Kansas didn't have to face Texas or Oklahoma that year. Could they have beaten either squad? Sure, they could have. But the team they lost to—Missouri—lost handily to Oklahoma twice that year. With a round robin scheduling format, 2007 wouldn't have been the season Kansas football fans remember with such joy. Maybe that's harsh, but it's the truth. Texas and Oklahoma are on a different level than 99 percent of the country, and Kansas now gets to face both schools on a yearly basis.
four south schools, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, have had to play Texas and Oklahoma every year anyway, this new format won't really affect them negatively, either. But for Missouri, Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State, this is nothing but bad news from a scheduling standpoint. The extra millions of dollars from the new television contract should help ease the pain, but the point stands.
// JACK RAFFERTY
the plate this season. Something happened to the Kansas batters Wednesday night though — every starter recorded a hit during a 24-hour hitting virus that infected the Jayhawks in their 11-2 win over Wichita State.
"When the first guy gets that RBI base hit, it makes it contagious throughout your whole dugout," coach Ritch Price said. "When one player clutches up, the next player looks forward to doing
came with runners on base.
Freshman Kai'ana Eldredge got things started in the first inning, scoring from third off an unearned run after a Zac Elgie groundout. Kansas then tacked on another unearned run when sophomore Jake Marasco singled, knocking in senior left fielder Jimmy Waters from second after a throwing error by Wichita State shortstop Tyler Grimes.
"We get our first RBI basehit, and the next thing you know,
three straight hits scoring one run, including a double to right center by sophomore catcher Alex DeLeon.
In the quick three-inning spurt, the lajhawks had amassed seven runs before the Shockers knew
The Jayhawks finished the inning with two walks and two singles to score two more runs. Keeping the pressure on, Kansas scored another run in the third off an RBI double hit by junior Jason Brunansky.
The atypical cushion provided by the bats helped the Kansas pitching staff relax kept the Shockers silent.
"It helps your pitching. There's no pressure," sophomore starter Thomas Taylor said. "Everyone on top of their game after you're up 6-0. No one is going to be playing nervous; they just go right after them, and good things happen."
Taylor, pitching on a tired arm after starting Saturday, often kept
in the seventh inning when Wichita scored one run off a single followed by a double.
Wednesday's effort led to the layhawks putting up season bests across the plate. Kansas rebounded nicely from a four-game skid, winning two of two against Wichita State, and gaining momentum heading into a crucial weekend series against Big 12 preseason favorite Oklahoma.
— Edited by Erin Wilbert
SOFTBALL
Kansas to fight for spot in regional tournament
Chris Bronson/KANE The team celebrates after a home run hit by senior catcher Brittany Hile in the double-header against Okla. The team finished conference play 2-16. They hope to combine their preseason record of 26-3 with victories in their final three regular season games.
BY HANNAH WISE
hwise@kansan.com
The softball team is left to rely upon three final non-conference games to bolster its regional tournament chances after weekend losses to Texas A&M, 3-2 and 13-0. The Jayhawks finished conference play with a 2-16 record, but are 31-22 overall.
The Big 12 conference has a total of 10 teams, eight of which are ranked in the top 25 nationally by either the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll or the USA Today Coaches' Poll and more often than not, both. It is an incredibly challenging conference to succeed in and the teams that are leading the standings Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma State — are teams that do well year after year in the conference as well as in the NCAA Tournament.
"It's a tough conference," coach Megan Smith said. "Every team we play is ranked. It's extremely difficult. You don't get a break, but that's why you like to play in those big conferences."
The jayhawks entered Big 12 play with a historic start to the season at 26-3. They won five of their six preseason tournaments, going
undefeated in four. The preseason start is what is helping the team's regional chances now, but the Jayhawks must win their final three games.
The final stretch begins tonight against Drake. The Bulldogs are 31-18 overall and 18-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Last week, the Layhaws took home two victories against Wichita State (11-3 in six innings and 6-3 in the second game), another Missouri Valley competitor.
competitor. The Jayhawks have not lost their drive. They are motivated by the possibility of still making it to regionals.
But the team cannot lose it's focus, especially after last weekend's 13-0 loss. Coach Smith has said repeatedly throughout the season that they are going to focus on themselves and what they can do. That is what is going to carry the team through the end of the season.
"Its going to be an interesting finish, but we are going to be locked in and ready to play Drake." Smith said.
- Edited by Jacque Weber
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