/oss/taxonomy/term/1254/all en /oss/article/health-pseudoscience/reflexology-research-doesnt-put-its-best-foot-forward <p>Imagine you have appendicitis. You are rushed to the hospital where a surgeon needs to operate on you to remove your appendix which is full of bacteria and ready to burst. Only, instead of a classically trained surgeon, you are operated on by a doctor who studied the Morrell method of surgery, where they were taught the appendix is in the right thigh. Meanwhile, at a hospital across town, a different surgeon uses the Vaxuflex method of surgery, which uses a map of the body where the appendix is underneath the clavicles. One thing both surgeons agree on: they can help you.</p> Fri, 07 May 2021 22:04:48 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8724 at /oss /oss/article/quackery/skeptics-vacation-hell-quite-relaxing-nonetheless <p>Being a skeptic has downsides. Try going to a spa and relaxing.</p> <p>A few summers ago, I needed to unwind and temporarily disconnect from the virtual world, so I decided to treat myself to a three-day stay at a spa resort outside the city. I told myself, "I am not going there to work. I will not take notes. I will ignore the woo and relax."</p> Tue, 21 Aug 2018 15:58:50 +0000 Jonathan Jarry, MSc 7314 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/medical-benefits-massage <p>A<a href="http://www.anatomyfacts.com/Research/Massage%20Journal%20Club/January07/Moyer.pdf"> 2004 paper</a> reviewed the research on massage therapy available at the time and found some interesting things. After one massage session, massage clients show reduced heart rates, blood pressures, cortisol levels (the main stress hormone) and anxiety, and after several sessions, clients showed remarkable drops in depression levels, on par with the positive effects of psychotherapy.</p> Tue, 26 Sep 2017 19:36:34 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 2646 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-news-quirky-science/acupressure-eco-mat-long-way-nailing-it <div> <p style="text-align:justify"> </p> </div> Wed, 06 Nov 2013 16:53:16 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2026 at /oss