Bringing Cutting-Edge Health Tools & Treatments To The Gaming World

Bringing Cutting-Edge Health Tools & Treatments To The Gaming World

Gaming and gaming health & safety

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Games vs Injuries: Ideas for Preventing Injuries in any Genre

Games vs Injuries: Ideas for Preventing Injuries in any Genre

Feb 21, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

With the esports landscape evolving and increasingly more game developers appealing to the competitive aspect of video games, it feels almost overwhelming to pick a new game to focus on. At the same time, one thing that can be said for certain about the rise in esports is that there’s a danger of gaming-related injuries. With that in mind, we wanted to put together a little cheat sheet of injuries for the different types of competitive games out there.  Whether it be a fast-paced shooter or a methodical card game, many esports have some amount of risk of injury associated with them, so let's break them down! Shooters (Battle Royales, FPS, etc.) Shooters tend to be the most problematic of the genres for injuries. They focus on a lot of fine motor skills and general movement of the...

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Common Gaming Injuries and Ways to Prevent Them

Common Gaming Injuries and Ways to Prevent Them

Oct 15, 2021 | | 0 Comments

Esports professionals and gaming enthusiasts often spend hours navigating complex games with increasingly challenging levels. This gradually takes a toll on the body, leading to a number of common gaming injuries. Console gamers frequently experience hand injuries, while PC gamers usually develop wrist problems. All avid gamers typically experience some form of back pain. Common Types of Injuries Gamer Hand Pain Gamer's thumb (De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis) is an overuse injury that develops when tendons in the thumb and wrist become inflamed. It’s caused by repetitive thumb strain [1]. The symptoms include: pain in the hand, thumb, and wrist that worsens with movement; a popping sensation when the thumb is moved; and swelling in the lower region of the thumb. Ulnar nerve irritation...

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Hidden Gem: Kirby’s Dream Land 3

Nov 6, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

With Kirby and the Forgotten Land being a major success, it's always fun to go back to the franchise's roots. Kirby has a long history of mostly handheld games, but there are some great console games from way back when! After perusing some Virtual Console games, I found that Kirby's Dream Land 3 was available on the SNES Virtual Console. I decided to give it a try to get my Kirby fix. Kirby's Dream Land 3, which was released in 1997, feels like the real deal. You don't need to have played the other two Dream Land games to enjoy this one. Planet Popstar is in danger of being overtaken by Dark Matter that can possess any bystanders. You set off as Kirby, but there is also a two-player mode. This allows the second player to join in as Gooey, who is a piece of Dark Matter that is actually...

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Why Ghostbusters: The Video Game is Still the Definitive Ghostbusters Game

Oct 24, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

If you always wanted to see another Ghostbusters movie with the original cast, then Ghostbusters: The Video Game is the perfect supplement. It's hilarious, has plenty of nods to the movies, features the original music, and is incredibly fun! Here are some reasons why you should invest in this older game to get your ghost-busting fix. Continues the Story from the Movies Though originally released in 2009, a remastered version was released in 2019 and is available on most platforms. The game takes place in 1991, and you play as a new recruit who joins the Ghostbusters to investigate paranormal activity in New York. The story is compelling, acting as a direct continuation of the previous adventures. Oh, and Mr. Stay Puft may or may not make an appearance early on in the game.  Features Most...

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Electric Massage Guns for Improved Blood Circulation

Sep 11, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

What is an Electric Massage Gun? A massage gun is a portable device that looks like an electric drill. It has a handle that you grip with one hand and a massage head, and different replaceable attachments thump swiftly against your skin, striking the muscle beneath and offering percussive treatment. Percussive treatment is a form of physical therapy that employs rapid bursts of pressure to massage muscles [1]. Massage therapists frequently use electric massage guns to treat pain and improve blood circulation. Fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds your joints and muscles, can become inflamed and painful. Tight fascia may also limit your range of movement. Furthermore, when one muscle group stiffens and restricts the range of motion of a certain portion of your body, other muscles...

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Topicals for Pain Relief and Recovery

Topicals for Pain Relief and Recovery

Aug 14, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

Professional gaming and esports require rapid, repetitive movements that put extra strain on the neck, back, wrists, fingers, and lower arms. Many professional gamers may notice that they begin experiencing more pain in these areas due to muscle injury, nerve compression, and tendon damage (known as tendinopathy). Over time, this pain can hinder gaming performance, making it more difficult to continue training and performing at a high level [1-3].  Many people think of oral analgesics (pain relievers) to help alleviate their pain and inflammation. However, these medications can have systemic (body-wide) side effects that may be undesirable when used in the long term [4]. Fortunately, topical analgesics are also available, which can be applied directly to the painful area for quick...

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4 Nintendo Games We Need on NES Virtual Console

4 Nintendo Games We Need on NES Virtual Console

Jul 17, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

When you're dry on new, innovative games to play, why not go back to the old 8-bit days with the NES Virtual Console? Here are 4 games that Nintendo should make playable ASAP. 1. Tetris (1989) Tetris is one of the most iconic puzzle games that can stand the test of time. As you move multi-shaped blocks to fit together in a perfect line, the speed that they fall increases. This ups the difficulty, but it's so addicting that you can't stop trying. This game has gotten many different variations over the years, including the addicting Tetris 100, but the original is still the best. 2. World Cup (1990) This may seem like an otherwise simple soccer game, but World Cup must not be underestimated for its fun value. You can play with a friend and control some of the cutest 8-bit characters in any...

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7 Video Game Franchises with Epic Soundtracks

7 Video Game Franchises with Epic Soundtracks

Jun 19, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

What makes a great game even better? The music! Here are some beloved franchises that contain unforgettable soundtracks. 1. Final Fantasy Every Final Fantasy game has memorable music. It's just a fact. Even from the beginning, the music had an orchestral sound that really immerses you into the world of magic and mystery. It's always an incredible experience, even if the graphics vary in impressiveness. 2. Zelda Zelda music perfectly encompasses adventure on a grand scale with mystical beings and great battles. It's whimsical enough to perfectly characterize such a magical world. With over 30 years of games, the Zelda franchise is still going strong, as Breath of the Wild features a wonderful soundtrack.  3. Mario Just about every song in a Mario game is recognizable and iconic....

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Health Benefits of Gaming

Jun 12, 2023 | | 0 Comments

We may have all been told that playing video games will just "rot your brain" or "will waste your life." Who needs that kind of negativity when you're trying to beat Sifu, right? Lucky for us, studies are revealing many psychological, intellectual, and social benefits of playing video games. Here are just a few ways that gaming can improve your overall well-being.  Improve Cognitive Skills There's an unfair stigma against video games that they only promote violence. However, studies show that video games, primarily shooting games, improve cognitive skills. These skills include overall information processing, such as languages, visuals, and overall problem-solving skills. A study of 2,000 children playing video games for three hours a day showed that they had faster cognitive skills...

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Elden Ring is One of FromSoft’s Worst Titles Yet

May 16, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

Littered throughout the many incredible titles that FromSoft is responsible for, one can find a myriad of issues. Even in what many call their best, Dark Souls 1, a newbie might find that the standard of boss difficulty employed is lacking. Or, in Dark Souls 2’s case, the game is strikingly flawed from the ground up. Dark Souls 3 might be a little too linear, while Serkiro might lack in the roleplaying department. All of this to say that, despite the quality these titles possess (yes, even Dark Souls 2’s quality), they also are riddles with flaws that might hinder the gaming experience in one way or another.  When it comes to Elden Ring, there’s a glaring flaw embedded deep within its design that is unseen to the naked eye, Youtube videos detailing various builds, and every other...

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Taunting During Gaming: Is It Fair?

Apr 11, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

If you've got it then flaunt it, right? When you're gaming, it's easy to really feel good about yourself when you're winning. You're in your element and all of your skills are on point, so you start to get a little cocky about it. Who hasn't been there before? It's so much fun to tease your friends when you're beating them at a game. Maybe you start to lose, so they start taunting you right back. However, when you're playing with someone you don't know, is it good to taunt? It Can Distract Your Opponent  I've had my fair share of taunting while playing Smash Bros. I'm usually a "They started it" kind of person. I won't start tea-bagging unless they do. But what does taunting really achieve? When it's done to me, I definitely get angry. I can lose focus and feel bad about myself....

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5 Tips to Becoming a Better Gamer

Mar 27, 2023 | , | 0 Comments

By Gabrielle Muniz We all want to be the very best. Here are five ways for you to improve as a gamer. 1. Meditation Gaming can be pretty stressful. There can also be a lot going on, which adds to the pressure and can make it hard to focus and stay calm. By meditating, you can learn tools that will relax your mind and body. Even yoga can relax both the mind and body to bring out the best responses. With some relaxation techniques, you can make a more informed and rational decision while gaming. 2. Eat Healthy You may not think it, but gaming can take a toll on the body. Since you're seated for an extended period of time and holding a controller, you're more likely to develop arthritis and other body ailments. By eating certain fruits and vegetables every day, you'll be able to get the...

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