Weather doesn’t affect back pain, study finds
Many people think the weather affects their back pain, but a study shows they’re probably wrong.
Australian researchers studied 993 cases of sudden, acute back pain in primary care clinics in 2011 and 2012. They gathered weather information from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology. Then they compared the weather when each patient first noticed back pain with the weather one week before and one month before.
The study found no association of temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure or precipitation with episodes of pain. Wind speed and gusts were associated with a slight increase in the risk of back pain, but the effect was not clinically significant.
The findings apply only to back pain, and the authors drew no conclusions about the effect of weather on pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia or other diseases.
Senior author Chris Maher, a professor at the George Institute for Global Health at the University of Sydney in Australia, suggests “being careful when you lift, avoiding long standing, maintaining healthy physical activity and weight range, and avoiding a stressful work environment. Rather than worry about the weather,” he added, “worry about these other things, which you can change.”
— Nicholas Bakalar
New York Times
Hints from Heloise:
Keep linens smelling fresh with bath soap
M.D. in California writes: Stock up on your favorite bath soaps, and distribute them among your linens in the cupboard. Your sheets and towels will smell fresh for you and your guests. I also do this in clothing drawers. Why buy separate sachets when you will actually use the soap?
Hazel writes via email: I keep a toothbrush in the kitchen and use it to clean difficult cooking utensils. It comes in very handy to clean the grater, the colander and any other utensil with small, hard-to-clean areas.
— King Features
Websites offer samples, other products for free
Who says you always get what you pay for? Here are a few tips on how to get great stuff for free.
Visit freebie websites and Like them on Facebook. Some of my favorites are Freebies4mom.com, allure.com/free-samples, ohyes itsfree.com, sweetfreestuff.com, freebies.about.com and hunt4 freebies.com.
Usually you have to provide these sites an email address. Consider creating one just for this purpose. Never provide credit card or banking information.
Once you receive the free product, visit the company website and write a review. Companies love that and may even offer additional freebies as long as you provide constructive feedback. Great reviews include relevant and specific details. Include reasons why you like the product.
Avoid statements such as “It is good” or “I like it.” Instead, try, “I noticed after 3 days of use that the product made my —— feel like ———” or “The smell is pleasant and reminds me of ———” or “This product is perfect for those who ———.”
— Tara McAlister
Charlotte Observer