Champion Articles

The purpose of an arm sling is to immobilize and protect an injured arm so that it can heal. Though broken arms are a common reason for wearing a sling, you don't necessarily have to have a  broken bone  to wear one - contusions, sprains, and dislocations can also require a sling. Regardless of the exact nature of your arm injury, a sling can be vital to your healing process because, in addition to supporting your arm as it heals, it provides a sign to others to treat your arm gently. See Step 1 below to get started making your own sling. 1.  Using a Piece of Cloth as a Sling a.  Find a suitably-sized square of cloth.  This method uses a square of fabric to replicate the functionality of a real sling. Depending on your height and size, the precise size of the cloth you'll need can vary. For most people, a square of fabric that's roughly 40 inches (1 meter) on each side will work well. Ideally, you'll want a fairly inelastic piece of fabric - stretch...

Coccydynia, also known as pain in the coccyx or tailbone, can be caused by structural anomalies or by falling, although the cause of pain is unknown in about a third of cases. Tailbone pain often develops when sitting for a long time. In some case there is an acute pain when the patient moves from sitting to standing. There can also be pain during sexual intercourse or while having bowel movements. Here are some recommended ways to alleviate tailbone pain. 1.  Getting Medical Help a.  Visit your physician for an examination.  Your doctor will know what to look for when evaluating tailbone pain. He may take x-rays or order CT scans or an MRI. The two most effective tests in diagnosing coccydynia are the injection of a local anesthetic into the tailbone area, to see if that temporarily relieves the pain, and comparing x-rays taken sitting and standing, to see if the coccyx is dislocating when you sit. Your doctor could also look for pilonidal cysts, which are...

Birds are very clever animals,  and can make very fun and interesting pets. With patience and practice, you can train your bird to do different tricks, and even train him where to go to the bathroom! Training your bird is an excellent way to bond with him, so have fun and enjoy the process. 1.  Training Your Bird to Step Up and Down a.  Acclimate your bird to your hand.  Training your bird to step up has many benefits, including decreasing his fear towards you, establishing your authority, and decreasing his territorial behavior.  Your bird may not be immediately comfortable with stepping up on your hand, so he will need to first get used to your hand. Begin by placing your hand near the outside of his cage for about a week, and talking to him in a gentle voice. Once your bird is comfortable with the sight of your hand, place your hand in his cage in a slow and non-threatening manner. It may take another week before he is comfortable with your han...