Letters Doing the twist Having arthritis in my joints in particular, my wrists and fingers I find it very hard to open lids on jars, even with the usual kitchen implement to help. May I congratulate Ocean Spray on adopting this lid design, pictured right, which is in two parts rather than the usual one-piece formed lid. Twisting the outer ring allows the top part of the lid to release the vacuum, thereby reducing the force required to open the jar. So, no more having to try to force my grip on the usual formed lid, or asking my wife to help! The manufacturer that has designed this lid needs to be congratulated by those with arthritis. I only hope that other food manufacturers follow suit. Chris Harvey, via email Straight talking I come from a family where osteoarthritis has followed us down the generations. Having seen how posture deteriorates, I have wondered how to fight back, and am on the lookout for the reasons it happens and any solutions. Everyone is different, so this very small tip may not apply widely, as hip problems seem to lead to back problems, and our muscles and skeletons settle in various ways. My hips are not too bad, so, on my daily walks, Ive started trying a new take on the old adage stand up straight. I dont find stand up straight helpful as an instruction to my body, but I do find that if I tell myself to gently and not too far push my tummy forward, this seems to allow the top half of my trunk to straighten, too. Also, a slight Twisting the outer ring allows the top of the lid to release the vacuum pelvic tilt and different back muscles seem to come into play, which seems good. Small beginnings, but frequent practice seems the order of the day. A minor thing, but gravity will pull the top half down once we start to bend over which I have, sadly, been doing for some time, and I have become noticeably stooped. Now, Im slowing the process. Id love to reverse it, but who knows? Susan Hearn, Billericay Get in touch! Send your letters to: Inspire magazine, 1 Cambridge Technopark, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8PB or email inspire@versusarthritis.org