Shara Rendell-Smock has written more than twenty computer software manuals, numerous newspaper articles, including a monthly health column for The Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

She's the author of two books of non-fiction: Getting Hooked: Fiction's Opening Sentences 1950's- 1990's
and
Living With Big Cats: The Story of Jungle Larry, Safari Jane, and David Tetzlaff
For ordering information, click here.

To read more about these books, participate in an ongoing joke contest, surf on over to
www.rendell-smock.com .
The author currently lives on Florida's Space Coast.

Shara signed with a New York Literary agency in December.

"Back" to Health

Dr. Don Fitz-Ritson, Clinical Director at the Posture Research Institute, has been treating backs and necks for 19 years. He has found that
over 80% of people with back conditions would improve if the back muscles were exposed to a variety of activity and movement.

Common Ligament Stretching Situations

Dr. Don explains the following five situations that contribute to a sprained back:

The one-leg stance. We often place all our weight on one leg when we have to stand up for long periods. Usually, we do this on the same leg, out of habit. Two-thirds of our body weight then stretches the ligaments on one side of the pelvis, causing spinal distortion and postural misalignment. Eventually these ligaments may become as severely distorted as from a serious, sudden injury to the back.

Extended periods of standing. Most people find it tiring to remain standing for any length of time. Waiting in lines, shopping, a cocktail party or many work-situations can require standing in place. When this happens, the muscles that hold us erect soon tire and we slump into poor posture. Now our entire weight is pulling against ligaments, especially those in the pelvis and lower back. The years take their toll on these ligaments. They become stretched and weakened so that they cannot properly control our joints with the tight support our bodies require. It can become uncomfortable, even painful, from the strain of standing erect.

Work Strain. Many occupations or work situations require lifting, bending or twisting, keeping the back under constant or repeated strain. Anyone from a farmer to a ballet dancer can develop over-stretched ligaments from these occupational hazards. When over-stretched ligaments no longer hold the back joints in proper position, a serious back-sprain condition results. Again we have spinal curvature, poor posture, and pain.

The Games We Play. Because our backs are vulnerable to strain, good healthy exercise that is keeping us fit and trim can be damaging to back joints. Just think of the exaggerated moves required in racquet sports, bowling, golf, football, skiing and other activities. We like to know that we are strengthening our muscles and making our bodies strong. But there is no way to make ligaments stronger. They can only stretch and weaken if we don't protect them when engaging in sports.

Obesity. Every extra pound we carry puts added strain on our backs. This is especially true of the large stomach. This weight tips the pelvis forward and strains the back by forcing the lower vertebrae into an unnatural position.

To protect your back, try to be conscious of these potential habits, and act accordingly.

Dr. Don sells the BackMagic Belt. You may read research about the product at http://www.backmagic.com

Next Week:

Medical and chiropractic treatments

Issue # 15
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1998

Osteoporosis

Stats indicate that for those over the age of 50, one of every two women and one in eight men will have an osteoporosis-related fracture. Our sedentary lifestyle puts us at risk for this disease. Yet osteoporosis is not inevitable. Here's some information on this disease and how we can prevent it.