Sea-Bands Alleviate Motion Sickness
If you love to sail but suffer from seasickness--or motion sickness--consider the Sea-Band, a lightweight, elastic knitted band with a little plastic button that applies pressure to acupressure points above the wrists.
Borrowing from Chinese acupressure practices, a company in West Palm Beach, Fla., designed the bands--which are packed two to a box and are to be worn on both wrists simultaneously--as an alternative to medications that combat motion sickness but produce drowsiness or other side effects.
The bands should be worn with the button pressing the “Nei-Kuan acupressure points” inside the forearms; you can find the exact location of these points by placing three fingers on the arm above the first wrist crease.
The bands can be washed in mild detergent and fit adults and children. They cost $14.95 for a set, plus $2 postage and handling.
Harry Jonas Jr., the Newport, R.I., and Florida yacht racer who developed the bands, said he has successfully tested them among yachtsmen, fishermen, pilots and high-altitude skiers. Successful tests were also conducted by sailors in the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary in England, where the Sea-Bands are made.
“No one thing works for everyone,” Jonas said. But the bands have “helped about 85% of people with motion sickness. . . . If they don’t work for you, we send you your money back.”
The Sea-Band is available in marine and diving shops and pharmacies nationwide and in 54 foreign countries. Or they can be purchased from Souwest Band Corp., 400 Australian Ave., Suite 725, West Palm Beach, Fla. 33401; phone,(407) 832-5112.
Sport Pains Relieved
Got pains or aches from overdoing it with exercise or sports, or from sitting in an office chair for eight hours? Kool ‘N Fit, a clear-liquid analgesic, “relieves minor aches and pains of muscles and joints,” its manufacturers say.
Endorsed by numerous amateur and professional athletes--runners, cyclists, triathloners, basketball, hockey and soccer players--the liquid can be used before, during and after workouts or sports, or at night. It has a slight pine odor, is hypo-allergenic and won’t stain clothes. Its ingredients are SD-40 alcohol, de-ionized water, menthol, camphor, pine oil, eucalyptus oil and other herbal oils.
“The formula is more than 100 years old,” explained Hubert Von Der Beeck of Kool Fit International in San Diego, which markets the product. “It was developed by my family in Germany. It’s like a cool breeze all over your body. It will revitalize and relax you.”
He recommended splashing on Kool ‘N Fit, which he said does not need to be rubbed in. It dries quickly and makes the skin feel tingly and cool. It should not be applied to open wounds or used on children under age 2, except with physician’s advice.
“If you’ve had a real bad day at work, when you come home, put four or five tablespoons of it in your bath water and soak for 15 minutes,” Von Der Beeck said. “You’ll feel really relaxed.” In Southern California, Kool ‘N Fit is available at all Oshman’s and Sport Chalet stores, other sporting goods stores and cycling shops. Its suggested retail price is $5 for a 4-ounce bottle, $8 for 8 ounces. For a free sample or to find a store in your area carrying Kool ‘N Fit, contact Kool Fit International, P.O. Box 22786, San Diego, Calif. 92122; phone (619) 569-0896.
