Question: I read that spinal traction can help back pain.  What is it and what does it do?

Answer: Chronic and acute back pain can be debilitating and very disruptive to your daily life.  1 in 5 persons suffers from back pain.  Back pain can range from a dull constant ache to a sudden sharp pain that makes it uncomfortable to move. 

Anyone can have back pain, but some things that increase your risk are:

•Getting older. Back pain is more common as you become older.  Most people report their first back pain around ages 30-40.

•Poor physical fitness. 

•Being overweight.  Too much weight can stress the back causing pain.

•Heredity.  Some causes of back pain, such as spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine, can have a genetic component.

•Other diseases.  Some types of arthritis and cancer can cause back pain.

•Your job.  If you have to lift, push, or pull while twisting your trunk and spine, you may get back pain. If you work at a desk job and do not sit up properly, you are also at a greater risk for back pain.  Anything that is causing improper alignment whether you sit or stand, places you at risk.

•Smoking.  Though widely overlooked by the general population, this is a big one for being a factor for other common back conditions such as spinal stenosis, etc.  Your body may not be able to get enough nutrients to the disks in your back if you smoke.  Also, people who smoke are slower to heal, so back pain may last longer.
 

Judge Christopher M. Goff, Wabash Superior Court, recently served as faculty at the Indiana Judicial Center’s Senior Judge Workshop held on Oct. 29. The workshop was held at the Indiana Judicial Center in Indianapolis. IJC is the staff agency of Indiana’s Judiciary and was created by statute. The legislature has charged IJC with promoting an exchange of experience and suggestions regarding the operation of Indiana’s Judiciary. 

by Emily Armentrout

emily@thepaperofwabash.com

Timbercrest Retirement Community celebrated its 125th anniversary, coming up in 2014, with 125 beautifully decorated Christmas trees during its Festival of Trees.

Over 50 trees, sponsored by area businesses and organizations, were on display throughout Timbercrest Manor for the community’s enjoyment.

Timbercrest also hosted a craft bazaar and gave children the opportunity to meet and greet with Santa Claus himself. Visitors enjoyed cocoa bars sponsored by the News Journal, The Paper, Hoffman Nursery & Landscaping, Metzger Landscaping and Crossroads Bank.

The hallways were decorated with wreaths on residents’ doors, each hallway leading to another beautifully lit tree.

Timbercrest is overwhelmed by the community’s support and they deeply appreciate the sponsors and volunteers who made the Festival of Trees such a success.

by Ashley Flynn

ashley@thepaperofwabash.com

The Metropolitan School District of Wabash County board voted unanimously to close the LaFontaine Elementary School after the current school year.

The board began discussing closure with the public after last April when structural damage was discovered in a classroom.

The damage revealed a corroding beam, which would cost $150,000 to repair. Since the discovery, grades four and five have been moved to Southwood Elementary for safety concerns, leaving only sixth graders in the building for the 2013-2014 school year.

Over the past several months, the board held open discussions with the community to receive feedback and ideas on the issue. Concerned citizens questioned how the move would affect the quality of life in LaFontaine. While the board kept in mind the emotions of the community, they reminded the public that it is their duty to do what is best for the entire school district.

Board members took the time to investigate options and weigh benefits before Dr. Weaver made her recommendation.

“In 1978 our enrollment in the school district was at an all time high at 3,300 students. We have experienced a decline steadily… but we are down to a little over the 2,000 mark,” Dr. Weaver said during the board meeting. “In the 1999-2000 school year, Southwood Elementary had an enrollment of 492. If we close Lafontaine, the projected enrollment for next year at Southwood Elementary would be 479.”

“Why do I tell you that?” she asked, “to let you know that the students will fit in that building.”

by Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

More than 30 supporters including the mayor, the county veterans services officer, and a representative for Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, gathered at American Legion Post 15 in downtown Wabash on Tuesday, Nov. 26 for a ceremony to dedicate the county’s new Disabled American Veterans van. The DAV van serves disabled veterans by providing a free means of transportation to medical appointments at VA hospitals and VA approved locations.

Three years ago, Herb Mullen, Wabash County coordinator for the DAV, brought the van program to Wabash County after volunteering as a driver in Marion since 2009. In the spring of 2011, it became apparent that the loaner van they had been using would not last many more years. He set up a savings account and began raising funds for a new van.

“We decided early on that we were not going to ask the county, the state, or the feds for any money,” said Mullen during the dedication. “We figured that we’re pretty important, but we also figured that we had a responsibility to the county to not become a drag upon public funds.”

ashley@thepaperofwabash.com

Enrollment for the coming 4H season is now open until Feb. 1, 2014. This year, Wabash County 4H is introducing four new projects, two new competitions, and one new club. With over 50 projects to choose from, 4H reaches the interests of nearly all children.

Aquatic Science is a new project introduced this year where participants either learn how to care for a fish tank or participate in a breeding class. The tanks will be displayed at the fair with fish in them.

The new computer program will give kids the opportunity to design programs, games, marketing material or other products.

With the new small engine project, kids will learn how to repair an engine and put the proper fluids into it.

Also new this year is sport fishing. 4Hers will create an exhibit demonstrating what they learned about sport fishing.

The two new competitions are public speaking and performing arts.

4H is offering a new robotics club based on the National Science Curriculum of Junk Drawer Robotics. Club members will create teams and work through tasks with their robots.

Eric Stearley

eric@thepaperofwabash.com

Heartland Career Center students welcomed a high-tech visitor to the school as Lutheran Air 2 landed in the south parking lot Thursday, Nov. 21. The helicopter’s visit was the result of a partnership between the vocational school and Lutheran Air to benefit students in the health sciences and criminal justice programs.

“We try to start kids on a pathway of interest and point them toward opportunities in the community,” said Principal Mark Hobbs.

Prior to the helicopter’s arrival, students in the heath sciences and criminal justice programs had a chance to talk with Luann McKinley and Tina Underhill, registered nurses with the flight program. Students had an opportunity to learn about the job, observe life-saving procedure demonstrations, and ask questions about caring for trauma patients and the impact it has on those responding to the scene of an accident. 

Criminal justice students got a chance to lay out the helicopter’s landing, at the school, just as they would have to do in an emergency situation. One lucky student even got to call it in on the radio.

“We like to partner with communities,” said Pat Unger, a Wabash County resident, former Heartland student and current flight program manager for Lutheran Air. “We like to reach out and educate.”

by Ashley Flynn

ashley@thepaperofwabash.com

Wabash got a whole lot glitterier Nov. 2 with the opening of Sugar Rush at 150 W. Harrison Ave.

Inspired by her two daughters, Danielle Shenefield knew exactly how she wanted her store to look.

“This has all been in my head for about three years and it’s finally out,” she said.

And the girls, Taylor 5, and Kenzie, 2, love it.

“They’re in heaven. They’re always asking if we can go to the store.”

With wall-to-wall pink, purple and glitter, Sugar Rush is a little girl’s paradise. The boutique, spa and salon offers a variety of spa packages aimed at pampering young princesses. There’s even a runway for the girls to show off their new look.

The popular Glitzy Glam includes hairstyle with glitter, nail polish and Glitz makeup with a shimmer star.