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Show Fitness Tips By Dr. Dale Nelson Utah Slale University So you have an "aching back"! If it seems a lot of other people too, have bad backs, it's because just about everyone does, if they have lived long enough. It's the nature of the beast-moving around on two legs when the back was really constructed better for moving on all fours. What do we do with ailing backs? We learn to live with them, because in time most back problems will cure themselves. Fewer than five percent of all people with back pain are likely to need surgery. So, hang in there and exercise some patience. Better Bet-ter still, after it calms down a little - and it will - do some exercising. Losing weight, mildly stretching the lower back and legs, and strengthening strength-ening the abdominal muscles mus-cles all done with a good exercise program, will give your ailing back a new lease on live. I can't over-emphasize the importance of developing a flat, strong stomach. And if v.u are obese it won't be Hat. If you sleep .n your back, roll a couple ui pillows under your kiKx.. If you must sleep on your stomach, put the pillow under your pelvis to keep the sag out of the back. Side-slcepcrs should curl into a ball and place a pillow between the knees. Don't sit for long periods and support yourself with , , , . your elbows when you lean ,.-. forw ard to w ork al a desk or table. Try to keep your feet raised when sitting and don't cross your legs as most people do. .' ' Never stand flatfooted if you can put one foot up on a stool, shelf, or whatever. The foot bars in the old saloons were made for aching backs. When you lift, keep the back straight, place the load close to the body and use the legs. In other words, squat, don't bend over. Be sure you are warm when you exercise, too. Finally, exercise and sports won't harm your back. They may hurt it a little temporarily tempora-rily if you arc not careful, but they will help it over the long haut. Getting fit will not only help that bad back, but it will rearrange a lot of other irregularities for good men- The calorics you get in an orange arc better for your waistline that those you get in a glass of orange juice, thanks to the fiber in the whole orange. It will make you feel full longer. Apples and other fruits work the same way. At least one doctor, writing in Modern Medicine, Feb.-Mar.. Feb.-Mar.. 1981. believes that the extensive hairy growth over the face and chin and above the lips acts as a repellent or as a filter of viruses or allergens that might cause colds and infections in the nasal cavities. I guess beards and moustaches mous-taches arc not all bad. Remember thai next winter, if your friends and relatives will put up with you. |