According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 percent of the world’s population will experience lower back pain (LBP). The causes of LBP range from injuries to the spine, muscles or ligaments to poor muscle tone and joint problems.
Via Unsplash
Dr. Lauren Tapp, Georgia Gwinnett College’s associate professor of exercise science and chair of the Physical Education Department, says that one aspect of daily life is a contributing culprit to lower back pain: how we sit.
“One of the biggest causes of chronic lower back pain has to do with how much sitting we do each day. A lot of jobs are sedentary in nature, and most people don’t practice good sitting posture. It’s important to take breaks, stand up and move if you spend a lot of time sitting.”
For those whose jobs are physical in nature, Tapp said much of the same precautions are true. When lifting items, she said it’s important to use the correct technique, which means bending your knees and keeping you back straight. Additionally, she said it’s good to take advantage of available equipment designed to help move heavy objects.
Good posture also helps prevent problems when doing everyday activities outside of exercise.
Tapp
“A common scenario resulting in an acute injury can be as mundane as picking up a basket of laundry, twisting and then putting it on a counter,” says Tapp. “When extending and then twisting at the same time, we can pull a muscle or displace a spinal disk, leading to sometimes debilitating lower back pain.”
During winter months, many have prepared their homes for colder temperatures. Some of those activities may include cleaning gutters or replacing insulation around doors and windows. Other examples may also include taking down holiday lawn displays, lights and interior decorations. All of these activities, said Tapp, can lead to lower back pain.
There are several ways to help reduce your risk of lower back pain, like maintaining a healthy weight and performing daily mobility and/or strengthening exercises.
“There are plenty of exercises you can do at home using your body weight that will help strengthen your back muscles,” says Tapp. “The key is to not overdo it. More is not necessarily better.”
Some home exercises that Tapp recommended include the Cat Cow, Kneeling Supermans or Bird Dogs, and Prone Back Extensions.
The Cat Cow stretch involves two yoga poses that stretch the back, neck and abdomen. It helps improve spinal flexibility. The Kneeling Superman or Bird Dogs helps strengthen the back. Like its name, it’s done on all fours and alternating extending the arms and legs with the right arm, left leg, and then the left arm, right leg. Prone back extensions can help improve posture and range of motion in the lower back. They are done by lying on your stomach, extending both arms back and raising your chest.
Tapp recommended that before starting any exercise regimen, seek professional advice.
Gwinnett Tech gets new VP for economic development
Gwinnett Technical College is announcing a new vice president of economic development. She is Lauren Dodson of Tucker, who has 15 years of experience in the sciences and education sector. Dodson is set to lead the college’s economic development, customized training, Quick Start, and continuing education services, emphasizing the community’s workforce needs.
Dods0n
Lauren Dodson’s previous roles include project manager at Partnership Gwinnett, where she specialized in technology and life sciences, and positions at Georgia EMC and the Technology Association of Georgia. Dodson also has a background as a science teacher in Gwinnett County public schools.
Dr. D. Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College, said, “We are excited to welcome Lauren to Gwinnett Tech as the Vice President of Economic Development. Her impressive contributions to Gwinnett County and the technology sector make her a perfect fit for our mission to support our community in Gwinnett and North Fulton counties.”
Dodson holds a PhD in education from Piedmont University and a Master’s in science education from Georgia State University. Her undergraduate degree is in biology from Reinhardt University.
JEMC Foundation grants $80,000 to Gwinnett charities
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $99,890 in grants for organizations during its recent meeting, including $80,000 to organizations serving Gwinnett County.
- $15,000 to Hebron Community Health Center, Inc., Lawrenceville, which offers non-emergency primary care for residents in Barrow and Gwinnett counties who are low income or uninsured.
- $15,000 to Hope Clinic, Inc., Lawrenceville, which provides medical care to uninsured, underinsured or with limited or no access to healthcare for people in Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Lumpkin counties for in-person or telehealth mental health services.
- $15,000 to The Salvation Army, Lawrenceville, to provide rental or mortgage assistance for families in Gwinnett County facing homelessness or a disaster, and people with a disability.
- $10,000 to Giving Health, Inc., which supports individuals and families in all counties served by Jackson EMC with affordable access to healthcare services for access to virtual medical and mental health services.
- $10,000 to Home Repairs Ministries, Inc., Duluth, which provides critical home repairs and modifications for vulnerable homeowners, including low-income seniors, widows, veterans, single mothers and people with disabilities in Gwinnett County for its Critical Home Repairs Program.
- $10,000 to (The) Cottage Sexual Assault Center and Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc., Athens, for therapy sessions for children and adult survivors of sexual abuse and assault in all counties served by Jackson EMC.
- $5,000 to the Lilburn Woman’s Club to promote literacy in the community in Gwinnett County.
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