You may have heard about the benefits of wearing tight "air socks" to reduce the likelihood of thrombosis in the legs during long aircraft flights but are you aware of the health benefits of "putting your feet up" to revive blood circulation in the legs?
After muscle pulls or breaks to the bone legs doctors often prescribe sitting "with your feet up" to aid convalesence. This takes pressure away from the point of the injury allowing better blood circulation. It allows oxygen and the body's natural nutrients to the affected areas.
When this author had a recent serious calf injury whereby the the muscle fully "snapped" away from the holding ligaments the doctor's advice was to spend as much recovery time as possible with the calf resting on a bench or footstool. With the leg positioned higher than the hip reduced pressure via blood circulation allowed the injury to repair far quicker than had the leg been subject to the normal forces of gravity.
Doctors advise similar relaxation techniques when recovering from serious abrasions or cuts: - skin tissue repairs itself far quicker (and is less susceptible to infection) if the leg is held in temporary suspension via an appropriate foot rest.
A proven way to assist recovery is to use a medical footstool. This item is really a standard domestic stool upholstered with a special polyureathane coating with added chemicals to reduce the spread of infection. Resting feet on the footstool helps to increase the circulation
in the lower legs and foot area. Use of such a footstool in a medical environment vastly reduces the liklihood of infection and is easy for staff to sterilise and wipe clean. Most operating theatres have beds with PU coated fabric mattresses which comprise a knitted cotton or polyester substrate over a rigid foam composite. The benefits of this upholstery material are plain to see. Not only do they relieve pressure and reduce the incidence of bed and leg sores they are easy to work with and maintain.
Recovery from any kind of illness is enhanced by ‘putting your feet up’. When the illness is leg related quick recuperation by using a well designed stool is further improved when choosing a practical, well designed and aestheticaly pleasing footstool.
Sunday 28 February 2010
Friday 19 February 2010
Footstools in The Battle Hymn of the Republic
"He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on."
This, the final verse of the Battle Hymn, was written by Julia W. Howe (1819 - 1910) in 1861 during the early days of the American Civil War. Howe was visiting a Union Army camp on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. when she heard soldiers singing the song “John Brown’s Body,” and was taken with the strong marching beat.
She wrote the words early the next day. "I awoke in the grey of the morning, and as I lay waiting for dawn, the long lines of the desired poem began to entwine themselves in my mind, and I said to myself, “I must get up and write these verses, lest I fall asleep and forget them!” So I sprang out of bed and in the dimness found an old stump of a pen, which I remembered using the day before. I scrawled the verses almost without looking at the paper.
The hymn appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862 and Howe received five dollars for her literary effort. It was sung at the funerals of among others, Winston Churchill (1965),the assasinated American senator Robert Kennedy in 1968 and former US president Ronald Reagan.
Some commentators argue that The ‘Battle Hymn’ theme has nothing to do with Christianity or God. It is a political-patriotic song about the destruction of the South, written in religious terminology. Howe deliberately created the idea that the north was doing God’s work. It paints a picture of a vengeful God destroying His enemies the South, and elevating the north’s cause to that of a ‘holy war.’ In doing so, Howe portrayed the South and its people as evil and the enemy of God.
As a Unitarian, Julia Ward Howe believed the Unitarian doctrine that man is characteristically good and he can redeem himself by his own merits without any help from a saviour. She rejected basic Biblical truths such as a literal Hell “I threw away, once and forever, the thought of the terrible Hell which appears to me impossible.” Mrs. Howe also refuted the exclusive claim of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6] by saying, “Having rejected the exclusive doctrine that made Christianity and special forms of it the only way of spiritual redemption, I now accept the belief that not only Christians but all human beings, no matter what their religion, are capable of redemption. Christianity was but one of God’s plans for bringing all of humanity to a state of ultimate perfection.”
Others suggest the song does not praise war however it praises the cause that war was being fought for. There is surprise in the shallowness of people who assume the cause for the abolition of slavery was centered in a small band of anti-christian radicals. There is nothing in the lyrics of The Battle Hymn of the Republic that
any liberal, right thinking person could not agree with.
And so with the words "the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave, Our God is marching on." Julia Ward Howe was describing far more than the conflict between Unionists and Confederates. Indeed this was a matter of good versus evil, right againt wrong with Howe firmly on the side of the Abolistionists.
The author has been making footstools and other soft furnishing items for over 20 years.
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on."
This, the final verse of the Battle Hymn, was written by Julia W. Howe (1819 - 1910) in 1861 during the early days of the American Civil War. Howe was visiting a Union Army camp on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. when she heard soldiers singing the song “John Brown’s Body,” and was taken with the strong marching beat.
She wrote the words early the next day. "I awoke in the grey of the morning, and as I lay waiting for dawn, the long lines of the desired poem began to entwine themselves in my mind, and I said to myself, “I must get up and write these verses, lest I fall asleep and forget them!” So I sprang out of bed and in the dimness found an old stump of a pen, which I remembered using the day before. I scrawled the verses almost without looking at the paper.
The hymn appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862 and Howe received five dollars for her literary effort. It was sung at the funerals of among others, Winston Churchill (1965),the assasinated American senator Robert Kennedy in 1968 and former US president Ronald Reagan.
Some commentators argue that The ‘Battle Hymn’ theme has nothing to do with Christianity or God. It is a political-patriotic song about the destruction of the South, written in religious terminology. Howe deliberately created the idea that the north was doing God’s work. It paints a picture of a vengeful God destroying His enemies the South, and elevating the north’s cause to that of a ‘holy war.’ In doing so, Howe portrayed the South and its people as evil and the enemy of God.
As a Unitarian, Julia Ward Howe believed the Unitarian doctrine that man is characteristically good and he can redeem himself by his own merits without any help from a saviour. She rejected basic Biblical truths such as a literal Hell “I threw away, once and forever, the thought of the terrible Hell which appears to me impossible.” Mrs. Howe also refuted the exclusive claim of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6] by saying, “Having rejected the exclusive doctrine that made Christianity and special forms of it the only way of spiritual redemption, I now accept the belief that not only Christians but all human beings, no matter what their religion, are capable of redemption. Christianity was but one of God’s plans for bringing all of humanity to a state of ultimate perfection.”
Others suggest the song does not praise war however it praises the cause that war was being fought for. There is surprise in the shallowness of people who assume the cause for the abolition of slavery was centered in a small band of anti-christian radicals. There is nothing in the lyrics of The Battle Hymn of the Republic that
any liberal, right thinking person could not agree with.
And so with the words "the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave, Our God is marching on." Julia Ward Howe was describing far more than the conflict between Unionists and Confederates. Indeed this was a matter of good versus evil, right againt wrong with Howe firmly on the side of the Abolistionists.
The author has been making footstools and other soft furnishing items for over 20 years.
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Ottomans in the family home
Ottomans are storage footstools which are commonly upholstered in lustrous designer fabrics or soft handle leathers making them an excellent option for the home. In days gone by ottomans were simple wooden box structures with many sharp edges. Nowadays safety concerns are paramount especially if you have young children who frequently bump into things. Other household furniture such as tables or chairs are accidents waiting to happen when children are at play. Nobody wants to see their child hurt because of some poorly designed household furniture.
Fortunately, ottoman development has designed out many of the health and safety considerations parents have when choosing furniture for the home. Todays fabric and leather ottomans are made out of rigid foam composites and soft fillings which means that there is far less chance of accidents occurring. The units are relatively child friendly and even complex opening and shutting mechanisms have many safety features built in to reduce the chances of needless and unnecessary accidents.
Modern designed ottomans are a great storage solution for the family home. They come in various shapes and sizes ranging from smaller cube storage ottomans, medium storage (perfect for magazines and books) and large storage ottomans which offer the perfect solution for hiding away sheeting, bedding and duvets. Circular storage ottomans are becoming increasingly popular as design features in living rooms. They are not only a central point of focus, but also multifunctional footstools, coffee tablestools and storage depositories.
The style of ottomans vary greatly according to taste and end use. A good idea for a play room ottoman is a (wipe clean) faux leather. Play room ottomans are often selected in bright vibrant colours however their primary use is to store children's toys and help to keep rooms tidy. A soft chenille fabric ottoman is the perfect upholstery solution for a bedroom and these ottomans are usually selected in soft, pastel shades.
One often forgotten use of an ottoman in the home is as a ready made source of additional seating. Most ottomans have a top seating pad constructed of rigid composite foam which provides comfort to even the most hardy posterior. Although most ottomans have this soft top surface it must be sufficiently strong to withstand the wear and tear of daily life. Manufacturers therefore have to expertly balance the elements of strength and softness when designing their storage products.
On one level ottomans are merely functional storage units however as we have demonstrated through good design and sympathetic use of fabric or leather most modern homes are the beneficiary of these stunning pieces of furniture and something far more than just large wooden boxes!
The author has been making ottomans and other soft furnishing items for over 20 years.
Fortunately, ottoman development has designed out many of the health and safety considerations parents have when choosing furniture for the home. Todays fabric and leather ottomans are made out of rigid foam composites and soft fillings which means that there is far less chance of accidents occurring. The units are relatively child friendly and even complex opening and shutting mechanisms have many safety features built in to reduce the chances of needless and unnecessary accidents.
Modern designed ottomans are a great storage solution for the family home. They come in various shapes and sizes ranging from smaller cube storage ottomans, medium storage (perfect for magazines and books) and large storage ottomans which offer the perfect solution for hiding away sheeting, bedding and duvets. Circular storage ottomans are becoming increasingly popular as design features in living rooms. They are not only a central point of focus, but also multifunctional footstools, coffee tablestools and storage depositories.
The style of ottomans vary greatly according to taste and end use. A good idea for a play room ottoman is a (wipe clean) faux leather. Play room ottomans are often selected in bright vibrant colours however their primary use is to store children's toys and help to keep rooms tidy. A soft chenille fabric ottoman is the perfect upholstery solution for a bedroom and these ottomans are usually selected in soft, pastel shades.
One often forgotten use of an ottoman in the home is as a ready made source of additional seating. Most ottomans have a top seating pad constructed of rigid composite foam which provides comfort to even the most hardy posterior. Although most ottomans have this soft top surface it must be sufficiently strong to withstand the wear and tear of daily life. Manufacturers therefore have to expertly balance the elements of strength and softness when designing their storage products.
On one level ottomans are merely functional storage units however as we have demonstrated through good design and sympathetic use of fabric or leather most modern homes are the beneficiary of these stunning pieces of furniture and something far more than just large wooden boxes!
The author has been making ottomans and other soft furnishing items for over 20 years.
Uses of Footstools
The footstool started out as something practical, and over the years it has evolved into a decorative piece of furniture in its own right. Over time, the theme of footstools seemed pretty consistent: small, made of wood, used as a foot-propper or a stair-stepper.
Today the footstool is emerging as a separate class of furniture in its own right. It can now be used as something to sit on, place something on, hide something in, or as a decorative piece for an entire room.
With a choice so wide there are many sites on the internet that offer footstools in all shapes an sizes. Ranges vary to satisfy any discerning furniture shopper and the choice of fabrics and leathers is unsurpassed.
The footstool can be ordered in various sizes. Its shape can be organised to fit into the smallest or largest of spaces and the height of the footstool can be varied by an appropriate choice of legs and feet.
No suite of sofas and chairs should ever be without a footstool. The footstool is a central point of relaxation, becoming an oasis of calm after yet another weary day at work. Even if you can only grab yourself a few minutes of "quality time" ensure
that you gather up your footstool and take the weight off your feet just for a few moments.
Design is a key element when choosing a footstool or ottoman. Should the piece be flush to the ground to co-ordinate with the clean lines of your existing furniture, or if your style more traditional, a footstool with turned or carved legs may be a better choice? When selecting a footstool it is a good idea to apply pressure to it or to sit down on it to make sure it is sturdy. Do not forget to measure the width of the footstool to make sure it would not be too large and feel awkward in the space you intend to put it.
You are reminded to measure the height as well to ensure that the feet will rest comfortably when sitting on your chair or sofa. Price is a consideration and many online retailers may well have the perfect footstool custom designed to your taste, specifications, and your budget. No matter where you decide to purchase your footstool, or even if you decide to build one yourself, function, style, and value are the most important elements.
The author has over 20 years experience running companies involved in furnishing fabrics and furniture manufacturing and has recently been specialising in company start ups.
Today the footstool is emerging as a separate class of furniture in its own right. It can now be used as something to sit on, place something on, hide something in, or as a decorative piece for an entire room.
With a choice so wide there are many sites on the internet that offer footstools in all shapes an sizes. Ranges vary to satisfy any discerning furniture shopper and the choice of fabrics and leathers is unsurpassed.
The footstool can be ordered in various sizes. Its shape can be organised to fit into the smallest or largest of spaces and the height of the footstool can be varied by an appropriate choice of legs and feet.
No suite of sofas and chairs should ever be without a footstool. The footstool is a central point of relaxation, becoming an oasis of calm after yet another weary day at work. Even if you can only grab yourself a few minutes of "quality time" ensure
that you gather up your footstool and take the weight off your feet just for a few moments.
Design is a key element when choosing a footstool or ottoman. Should the piece be flush to the ground to co-ordinate with the clean lines of your existing furniture, or if your style more traditional, a footstool with turned or carved legs may be a better choice? When selecting a footstool it is a good idea to apply pressure to it or to sit down on it to make sure it is sturdy. Do not forget to measure the width of the footstool to make sure it would not be too large and feel awkward in the space you intend to put it.
You are reminded to measure the height as well to ensure that the feet will rest comfortably when sitting on your chair or sofa. Price is a consideration and many online retailers may well have the perfect footstool custom designed to your taste, specifications, and your budget. No matter where you decide to purchase your footstool, or even if you decide to build one yourself, function, style, and value are the most important elements.
The author has over 20 years experience running companies involved in furnishing fabrics and furniture manufacturing and has recently been specialising in company start ups.
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