Grand Opening! Pillows Recliners Office Chairs Back Supports Grand Opening Discounts Up to 50%! Car Seats Lumbar Supports Relax the Back' has it all! Our unique store Sleep Aids has the finest collection of products to relax your Electric Massagers back and relieve neck pain. Many of our prod- Manual Massagers ucts are sold exclusively by Relax the Back Cold Packs Stores nationwide. You Hot Packs can even try the prod- ucts before you buy. Work Stations Visit our new store to- day and relax! Stadium Seats Neck Rests Wrist Rests 1 36 N. Woodward Downtown Birmingham Foot Rests (810) 594-1555 Insoles Thurs. 10-9, Sun. 12-5 RELAX1 THE BACK STOR. FIT page 63 Massage Chairs Relax the Back° Has Hundreds of Products for the Relief and Prevention of Back Pain Mon.-Wed., Fri. & Sat. 10-6 d Oils and Lotions Books and Music and More! The Best o Ever thing for Your Back! SOUTHFIELD PEDIATRIC PHYSICIANS, P.C. BIATM, MD, FAAP ER M. BLUM, DO, FAAP bility. I didn't need surgery and I'm feeling like I'm 20 or 30 again," Mr. Coe said. Cardiovascular exercises like bicycle riding, walking on a treadmill or doing the Stair- Master will strengthen the heart and help to at least minimally tone lower back and abdominal muscles, which in turn reduces back strain. Flexibility, on the other hand, is improved with the constant stretching of the muscles, begin- ning with the legs and moving up the body. Hamstrings, the muscles that make up the back of the thigh, are especially prone to injury due to a lack of flexibil- ity, but flexibility can be im- proved with the use of free weights or machines, Mr. Schlecter said. "Older muscles tighten like coils. Without proper work they will become strained when they aren't used on a regular basis," he said. The real key is consistency. Mr. Schlecter recommends that people train three or four times a week for a little longer than an hour. He recommends 30 min- utes on cardiovascular exercises and 30 to 40 minutes in the weight room to improve flexibil- ity and muscle tone. Michelle Moceri, a physical trainer at the Jewish Communi- ty Center's health club, agrees that consistently exercising is a good thing but constantly exer- cising is not. She stresses that muscles need rest because con- stant exercise can destroy mus- cle tissue. Developing and maintaining muscle tissue should be the intent of a work- out. Dr. Steven Gross, a physical medicine rehabilitation special- ist based in Plymouth, said that while a regular fitness workout is beneficial for a body of any age, getting started may be a strain. "Someone who exercises reg- ularly is not any more prone to injury if he is 30 or 50 years of age," he said. "When a person of Hot Shots o The Practice oIF Pea oiescentE Megiacme °an C/) Lu CC Lu LIJ 64 25865 W. 12 Mile Southfiela, MI 48034 (8L0) 358-0420 • Do you have an item for "Hot Shots"? "Hot Shots" is a pe- riodic column recognizing medical professionals for achievements in their field. Please send items to Jill David- son Sklar at The Jewish News, 27676 Franklin, Southfield, MI 48034. A picture would be ap- preciated. It can be color or black-and-white, but it must be in focus. If you wish to have the picture returned, you must enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. any age begins a regular exercise regimen, he is going to be more prone to injury depending on how physically fit he is to begin with." Dr. Gross recommends exercise to benefit people in their 50s who suffer from tight muscles because they will regain their flexibility or elasticity. And, although many born- again exercisers are motivated by low back pain, Dr. Gross said exercise won't necessarily make that pain disappear. The pain can, however, be tempered with a regular fitness program com- bined with a proper warm-up and back strengthening routine. "Some people are feeling the effects of degenerative disc dis- ease or arthritis, which is cumu- lative over a period of time. Some back pain is due to these degen- erative changes of the spine, ex- ercising excessively or lack of durability in the back tissue. Strengthening muscles will in- crease flexibility and should de- crease the degree of pain," Dr. Gross said. That's one reason why Shel- don Watnick of Bloomfield Town- ship has been working out for 15 years. The 52-year-old has had chronic back problems since his teens but finds that exercise helps keep his muscles limber and allows him to participate in the athletics he enjoys. "Personally, I hate to work out, but I do it to play golf and squash. I feel better after any workouts because the back pain is gone, and I feel a little bit stronger, which has helped my game playing," Mr. Watnick said. Shoshana Byck, a 51-year-old West Bloomfield resident, feels the best way to work out is with friends. `The time goes by faster, and it's a real team effort. Everyone is talking and looking forward to seeing each other and that acts as a real motivational tool," she said. "However, the best thing about the end of a workout is the hot shower you get to take." ❑ Publicity Deadlines The normal deadline for local news and publicity items is noon Thursday, eight days pri- or to issue date. The deadline for birth announcements is 10 a.m. Monday, four days prior to issue date; out-of-town obituaries, 10 a.m. Tuesday, three days prior to issue date. All material must be typewrit- ten, double-spaced, on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and include the name and daytime telephone number of sender.