HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1988-03-22, Page 29'ry�wrs
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Huron County Health Unit
Provided we lave 1o,1g eno_.:
most of us are likely to suffer
backache, In fact, sore backsloll'r
the common cold as the most
frequent reason for doctor visits.
Yet much of the suffering due to
,backache is avoidable and -usually
stens-from neglect of this crucial,
load-bearing part of oar body.
Ordinary backache varies from
mild and gradual (due to repetitive
strain:) . to thesudden excruciating
p$w. brought on by a single acute
stress. Fortunately, even .without
Medical aid, the majority of back
painimproves ;oris gone within four
to eight weeks. Learns g to stand,
sit,+ lif t and bend correctly, plus. a
few daily exercises to strengthen
yourabdominal and ba k muscles,
canrelieve or eliminate back pain.
Sitting `puts more strain on your
back than standing;walking or lying
down, so a sedentary lifestyle
definitely contributes to backache.
-Let's dispel : some popula
misconceptions
—Discs don't "slip" or "turn t
dust", although they may bulge
touch a nerve and cause pain.
—Backs don't "go out", but spinal
joints, like muscle joints, crack if
over-extended and can be strained i
the same way as other joints.
--Backs aren't ultra -sensitive
Although they geta bit worn from
daily wear and tear,-tb are- quite
strong. Lifting a 50 -pound weight
exerts a pressure of about 660
pounds at the lumbar spine. If done
correctly, most backs can easily
withstand this load!
—Back pain isn't usually due to
disease, it hurts but rarely harms.
The -normal wear andtear of aging is
most to bbme for ordinary back
problems.
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regular ex ercise ra 7
include exercises to strengthenvy
abdominal-:' museles (which- sup
your back), as .well as reiaxi -�
stretching, andstreng hening
exercises:Walking . and Swim ng
are two of the best.: exercises to t elp
prevoxit�baok
relieve or h°
para
For a heaitby', pain-free hack,
keep in mind the. following "golden
rules":
Avoid leaning forward.. to work or
lift.,
rn
One
Card•
�.t..
Controlyour posture and.
movements.
When Sitting, cross -;your knees to
relieve spinal pressure, and choose
chairs with a firm back and a seat
position that keeps your thighs
above your hips.
Don't sleep on your stomach, and
choose a soft pillow to support your
head.
Don't stand for long periods with
both feet flat on the floor...try to
elevate one foot.
Lift objects close to your body,
keeping your back straight and your
knees bent (lift with your legs, not
n your back).
Never twist when you're lifting
• and if reaching, don't arch your
back.
- While &wing, try to adjust your
seat so that your knees are
positioned higher than your hips.
Practice positive health habits to
enjoy a you'll healthy `back .e. '`"
b+s
glad you did. .,.
(Written with reference to Health
News, Vol. 5, No. 5,' University of
Toronto Faculty of Medicine,
October 1987.)
The chief reasons for occupational
backache are a mismatch between a
worker's physical ability and a
heavy job, and working conditions
which overtax thea spine. Long
distance truckers, for example,
have four times as many herniated
discs as the general population,
owing to the combination of long
periods of sitting and the steady
vibration which stresses the spine.
Workers engaged in repetitive lif-
ting and twisting tasks are also at
high risk of backache if they use
incorrect lifting and handling
techniques.
Preventive Strategy
Exercise is still your best strategy
for a healthy back. Keeping your
NEW PARK IN FORMOSA
Late 1921 saw the opening of a new
park in the village of Formosa, one
of the prettiest and most unique little
parks to be found anywhere in
Ontario. The Palace Garden had
been developed by Chris Weiler
around his mill in the village.
Towering rocks, ornamental trees
and miniature canals contributed to
the scenery of the place which was
visited every year by thousands of
birds of many varieties. Some time
ago, drilling operations for oil had
resulted in the striking of a flowing
well of water which added- to the P
bee ty
...may arrive.
safely,- hesi
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a rry
m+g tr a r wind
e r of240,
charr with ,`alcol
Fie 432 others ha
*ars e licenses suspended
AApPOintifent of a five-trteiri#�er
independent .technical advisor
Panel 'on electricity planking ..h
been announced, by Ontario En g3
Minister Robert Wong.
The el, to bercbaired noted
Canadian expert onr electricit3
matters Ralph" Brooks,..wk' U -advise
Mr. Wong on < whether Ontario
Hydro's report, "Meeting ; Future
Energy Needs - Draft Demand
Supply Planning Strategy",
„provides an- appropriate technical
bass 'for, preparing .plans toomeet
Ontario's , future .electricity. needs.
This review 11 'include assessing
the assumptions, used :;,by.: Ontario.
Hydro to . develop' forecasts:', of fuel
prices and electricity loads, and the
impact of. various electricity supply
and dented-options-onthe=Ontario-
economy.
,The panel, comprised of three
Canadians and two Americans,
draws together experts in.
economics, regulatory and
legislative matters, and electricity
planning, production and con-
servation.
A further review, co-ordinated by
the ministry of energy, also is under
way. Several: government ministries
are assessing the impact of the
potential results < of -the draft
strategy on their respective man-
dates.
In addition to Mr Brooks, those
appointed to the panel:are: Carl
Beigie, a senior Canadian
economist; George Govier, former
dean of the faculty of engineering at
the University of Alberta; Janice.
Hamrin, executive . director of the
Independent. Energy Producers'
Association and former chairMan of
the American `Association for the
Advancement of, . Science Societal
Impacts; of Science.and Technology
and James Litchfield, director of
planning for the Northwest Power
lanning Council in Portland,
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74 people were juredl
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