Many sports injuries do not actually require hands-on treatment by a professional; instead, patients can often self-manage their recovery with the help of some expert advice. That's the working premise behind Physiobench, a new physiotherapy practice that focuses purely on dispensing self-help guidance online.

Established in 2008, UK-based Physiobench calls itself the first private practice in which physios provide personalised treatment exclusively online. After checking out the wide assortment of articles on the site addressing numerous injury types, patients seeking personalized help begin by completing a 10-minute online assessment. Once complete, that tool connects them with Physiobench's chartered physiotherapists, who together cover a range of specialties. Patients can choose which physiotherapist they'd like to treat them, and a response is guaranteed within three working days. Pricing for a personalised advice and exercise programme—including a follow-up later on—is GBP 28.

There are few things consumers appreciate more than solutions that save them time, money and bother, and Physiobench promises to deliver all three. One to emulate in other specialties, or other parts of the world? (Related: Doctor 2.0 uses IM & sticks to house calls — A simpler way to make a doctor's appointment.)

Website: www.physiobench.com
Contact: www.physiobench.com/contact

Launched in November 2008 by two British radio presenters, Fauxshow creates personalized radio shows that put a recipient in the spotlight. Designed as an unusual gift experience, Fauxshows are most frequently produced for weddings and birthdays, although any request will be catered to. Customers pick a recipient's favourite music tracks and submit anecdotes for the presenters to read out in the show. Arrangements are then made for friends and family to call in to Fauxshow and record messages about or for the recipient. Jingles and effects are added in the final stage of recording to make the show sound as authentic as possible. Around three weeks after ordering, the show arrives on CD, ready to surprise and delight.

Fauxshow is still a tiny start-up, and the presenters welcome calls from customers to discuss ideas. Pricing is GBP 200 for a 5-song, 5-message show, or GBP 250 for 8 songs and 8 messages. Other options are available on request.

There's no stopping the personalization avalanche! And as Fauxshow demonstrates, you don't have to be a major player to get in on the game. (Related: Customized love songs.)

Website: www.fauxshow.co.uk
Contact: www.fauxshow.co.uk/contact.html

Spotted by: Jonathan Fletcher

Pandas, bees, aliens and voodoo skeletons aren't the first things to spring to mind when you consider social networking. Unless you have a poken: a plastic creature that exchanges social networking details via RFID. After meeting and greeting in the real world, users who want to connect online can whip out their poken keyrings and 'high five' them. Details are transferred between the RFID chips, ready to be uploaded to a user's profile when the poken is plugged into a USB port.

The data is transferred to a personal poken database, which isn't yet another social network. Instead, it gathers and distributes details of new-found friends to existing networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Since users might want to connect with someone without immediately sharing their entire social identity, they can switch to 'ghost mode' by clicking a button on the poken. This allows them to reveal a limited amount of personal details before making a full connection online. Each poken can store up to 64 new contacts and warns its owners when it's nearly full.

Retailers sell individual pokens for around EUR 15, and Poken—a Swiss venture—encourages friends to pool together to buy a pack of 12 (from EUR 120 including shipping) directly from the company, aiming to achieve the critical mass required for the concept to be a real hit. It's a great example of online interactions fusing with the offline world, as described in the 'warm bodies' section of our sister site's briefing about OFF=ON. There's plenty of mileage in this idea, including bringing it to other audiences. Unless we're wrong of course, and professionals do want to high-five their pandas after a meeting... ;-) (Related: Connecting online and off with RFID for the masses — RFID collar tag helps dog owners meet new friends.)

Website: www.doyoupoken.com
Contact: info@doyoupoken.com

Spotted by: Jochem de Swart

We've written about a number of games designed to get kids off the couch and into some exercise, but recently one of our spotters alerted us to one we hadn't yet seen: DigiWall, a structure that combines a climbing wall with gaming.

Designed for use in public places like museums and shopping malls, DigiWall is a climbing wall with high-end surround-sound whose grips include both lights and sensors that react when they are touched. A variety of games, contests, challenges and creative experiences are possible on the wall as a result, using a combination of visual and audio feedback and body movements. Games currently available, for example, include simple ones based on physical activity and speed as well as more complex ones involving flexibility, bodily control and tactical skill. New games are also being added all the time, the wall's Swedish maker says. When not in use, DigiWall becomes a decorative sound and light installation.

Much like Wii, location-based games and gyms that use games to keep kids moving, DigiWall could be another weapon in the battle against childhood obesity—not to mention a novel and entertaining public attraction. Kid-friendly restaurants, stores, malls, museums—even airports or schools: This one's for you! (Related: Poolside climbing walls — In-store wave riding.)

Website: www.digiwall.se
Contact: info@digiwall.se

Spotted by: Susanna Haynie

There are social networks for virtually every profession, hobby and interest, and golf is no exception. Myriad sites already exist to help golfers connect, but a new one that just launched adds professional video analysis and online instruction to serve up free, personalized golfing advice.

Links Lessons, based in Altamonte Springs, Florida, is a free social network that focuses on improving members' game. That may be a common goal among enthusiast sites, but Links Lessons goes beyond forums and general professional tips to give members the online equivalent of free, personalized lessons. Members simply upload a video of their swing to the Videos section of the site. There, it is analysed by a real golf professional, who then gives them feedback and advice on improving it. Amateur golfers can also use Links Lessons to interact with their peers, including commenting on each other's swings and profiles. Professionals, meanwhile, can use the site to gain clients and exposure.

Offering a win-win for both amateurs and pros—not to mention a raft of niche advertising opportunities—Links Lessons was built using Ning, an online service that lets users create, customize and share social networks focused on any topic. How about creating something similar in another part of the world, or for another sport....? (Related: Connecting off the court.)

Website: www.linkslessons.com
Contact: dennis.card@linkslessons.com

Spotted by: Gustavo