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9| W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,A ugust 9,2018 w aterloochronicle.ca Research has shown that low back pain is more prevalent in individuals who sit for prolonged peri- ods. This is significant for professionals, as approxi- mately 75 per cent of work- ers in industrialized na- tions are required to sit for prolonged periods at work. This rate continues to in- crease worldwide. Chiodo, A. E. et al. state that low back pain ac- counts for approximately 25 per cent of all workers' compensation claims (U.S). The American Phys- ical Therapy Association states that over half of Americans (54 per cent) experiencing low back pain spent the majority of their workday sitting. It has been suggested that replacing traditional office chairs with stability balls will decrease the prevalence of low back pain in office workers. An additional benefit of office workers' sitting on stabili- ty balls is that it is thought to increase core strength, improve posture, and/or improve spinal motion, which may help improve lower back pain. One study investigated the health benefits of sit- ting on a stability ball com- pared with an office chair. The researchers included 90 subjects in this study and compared sitting on an of- fice chair with sitting on a stability ball for up to 90 minutes per day over an eight-week period. Stability balls and low back pain in office work- ers The researchers found that sitting on a stability ball does not prevent, in- crease, or decrease low back pain or disability. More studies are needed to see if longer durations on a stability ball or perhaps even complete replace- ment of the office chair produce statically signifi- cant decreases in low back pain. Stability balls and core strength in office workers with low back pain Office workers who sit on a stability ball for 90 minutes a day have a sta- tistically significant in- crease in isometric trunk flexion and extension (ab- dominals and spinal erec- tors). However, research- ers found no statistically significant increase in side-to-side stability (obliques). Summary of low back pain and core strength in office workers who sit on a stability ball Research seems to sug- gest that sitting on a stabil- ity ball does not decrease low back pain. This study did show sitting on a sta- bility ball for 90 minutes a day increases front to back core stability. There are numerous studies show- ing improved core endur- ance and a decrease in low back pain. So it is conceiv- able that improving core endurance by sitting for a longer duration on a sta- bility ball would reduce low back pain. In addition to using a stability ball, of- fice workers can try a com- bination with a sit-to- stand desk. What should I know be- fore using a stability ball at work? • You need to ensure the stability ball is the correct size. When you're sitting on the ball, your knees should be at 90 degrees. • Sit in the middle of the ball, with your feet resting flat on the floor in front of you. Keep your back straight with your shoul- ders relaxed and your shoulder blades pulled to- gether and down. • Make sure you don't sink into the ball, causing your back to sag forward. Studies have shown this can increase low back pain. • Avoid sudden move- ments that may cause you to strain your back or lose your balance. • Finally, don't just sit on the ball. Use the stabil- ity ball as a means to exer- cise while at work. Work your core by decreasing stability by bringing your feet together. You can also perform simple exercises on the stability ball. Try lifting one foot off the ground with your hands raised by your sides. Hold for a few seconds, then switch feet. Dr. Joel Dixon is a chiropractor in New Ham- burg. LOW BACK PAIN IN OFFICE WORKERS OPINION REPLACING YOUR OFFICE CHAIR WITH A STABILITY BALL MAY BE THE RIGHT SOLUTION, SAYS DR. JOEL DIXON. JOEL DIXON Column An Old Order Mennonite, Amy Martin was shunned by her family. Now she stands on a street corner in UpTown Waterloo with a card- board sign that reads: "Please Help, On the Street Pregnant." Martin recently captured my at- tention with her big blue eyes, straw- berry-blond hair pulled back in a po- nytail, and her quiet melancholy. "I had sisters and brothers who, if they made trouble, they told every- body it was my fault, so I got all the abuse from my family, and I got sick and tired of it and I left," Martin told me. "So, I got shunned and have no communication with my family. I'm all alone." My heart sank as the tears rolled down her face. I asked Martin, who is 28 years old and far along in pregnancy, when she is due to give birth. "My baby is due Sept. 20. I was sexually assaulted at the shelter. That's how I got pregnant," she said, showing me a large scar on her lip. "I'm going to do an adoption." I asked Martin how people in Up- Town Waterloo react to her card- board sign and unobtrusive panhan- dling. "Some people are ignorant and tell me to get a job," she said. "I've tried to get a job, but it's not easy. I'm pregnant and I don't have all my schooling. I can't read or write, and a lot of people have put me down for not being able to read or write, which is really hurtful. "There's one lady who has been helping me out for about five months now, though. She picks me up and takes me out to eat so I can get some food in my belly." Martin told me how her only be- longings are a change of clothes, a thin blanket, and a tent out in the woods where she sleeps at night. She feels safer on the streets than in a shelter, she told me. "I don't trust people," she said. "When I'm out here, men will come up and ask me for sex in exchange for money, and I won't do that. I tell them to get lost." I asked Martin if she has any plans for after her baby is born. "I'm going to try to get a job," she said. "I don't want to be out here. No- body wants to be out here. Growing up a Mennonite girl, I didn't even know about homelessness and that people live on the streets and hold up cardboard signs like this one some- one made for me. It hurts to be home- less." All too often, we try to ignore peo- ple like Martin - or, worse, make them a target for derision or ridi- cule, without knowing the story be- hind their situation. As she says, it hurts to be home- less; those of us more fortunate have no right to add to that pain. Marshall Ward is a freelance writer and artist. Email is welcome at marshall_ward@hotmail.com. HOMELESS WOMAN FINDS PATH FROM THE FIELDS TO THE STREETS A SHUNNED OLD ORDER MENNONITE FINDS HERSELF PREGNANT AND ON THE STREETS IN WATERLOO MARSHALL WARD Column Amy Martin, who now finds herself pregnant and on the streets in Waterloo, shares her story with Marshall Ward. Marshall Ward/Metroland RESCUE OF TRAPPED BOYS IN THAILAND DESERVES PRAISE Dear Editor: The rescue and recovery of the 12 boys and their coach in Thailand is remarkable on many fronts. One hopes that they will recover com- pletely from their experi- ence and not suffer either physical or psychological ill effects. There were many heroes - people like John Volanthen and Rick Stanton, the Brit- ish divers who first discov- ered the boys; Richard Har- ris, the Australian doctor/ diver who went down to the cave and stayed with them for three days; and Saman Kunan, the Thai navy Seal, who put his life at risk to pro- vide the means for the boys to come out, placing oxygen tanks for their use, and made the ultimate sacrifice. But his effort was not in vain. The other Seals need to be commended for daring the impossible to rescue the boys, initially taking 11 hours to do so. They used the skills they had acquired for an amazing cause. What we learned from this is that miracles have not ceased, prayers are an- swered and a team effort can bring a lot of good. Could we not unite again to solve the problems of this world? DOT AND DON JOSHUA IT'S NOT THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM, IT'S THE PEOPLE Dear Editor: Re: Letters, Flaws in Onta- rio's election system, June 13 Re: Letters, Canadian elec- toral system is not democratic, June 27 I find it interesting that we only see this type of response when the outcome of an elec- tion results in the people electing a "non-progressive" party. As for the idea that there are serious flaws in the system, the only flaw in this system is the whim of the peo- ple. Many people, generally, do not take the time to educate themselves about the political issues of the day, and thus rely on promises and slogans to form their opinions. A major- ity of the people who quote the "40 per cent of the vote figure" seem to be either ignorant of what that really counts for, or are intentionally misusing the figure in an attempt to fur- ther their own cause. The reality of the situation is that 40.5 per cent of the total votes counted equates to 61 per cent of the 124 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Onta- rio. NDP votes: 33.59 per cent, seats: 40.Liberal votes: 19.57 per cent, seats: 7.Green: 4.6 per cent, seats 1. The system works. Edu- cate yourself. MICHAEL BEAUDOIN