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This month's topic for the Healthy West Boylston Program is Caring For Your Back.
This is a new topic suggested for this year's program and with the bad weather, we thought this was a perfect time to talk about caring for and exercising your back. According to Oklahoma State University and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. Further, one-fourth of all compensation indemnity claims involve back injuries, costing employers billions of dollars. These figures do not begin to reflect the pain and suffering employees experience as a result of their injuries.
Back injuries are exceedingly painful. They are difficult to heal, and they have an effect upon everything a person does. If you have ever experienced a back injury, you already know this. What you may not know is that after you have experienced one back injury, you are much more likely to experience another one sometime during your lifetime. It is important to learn techniques and procedures that may help you prevent a reoccurrence.
If, on the other hand, you are lucky enough to have never injured your back, you can do yourself a big favor by learning how to prevent one in the future. By learning proper lifting techniques and the basics of back safety, you may be able to save yourself a lot of pain.... and a lifetime of back problems.
Our COA Director, Marcia Cairns, found a great website that speaks to avoiding back injuries. It can be found here (http://www.ehs.okstate.edu/MODULES3/BACK/A3-back.htm). In addition, you may wish to speak to your doctor about exercises you can do to improve the strength of your back.
This is also an important time to talk about the dangers of shoveling snow - especially those with bad backs. Shoveling heavy snow is equivalent to repetitive heavy lifting. Incorrect technique results in unnecessary lower back stress and can cause painful, long-lasting injuries. If you can simply push the snow aside, push rather than lift. In heavier snowfalls, proper lifting procedures can also be applied to snow shoveling. Pull the loaded shovel blade toward you before lifting, and lift with your legs. Toss the snow aside from a standing position, not while bent over. Straight-handled shovels may be cheap, but bent ergonomic designs put less stress on the lower back.
Your back in one of the most important parts of your body. If your back hurts, everything hurts and even doing simple tasks become difficult. If you treat your back well, it will treat you the same!
I hope you and your families have a happy holiday season.
Leon A. Gaumond Jr.
Town Administrator
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