Snow Shoveling Tips

Good afternoon, Dr. Glen here with your Monday Morning Motivation…but surprise! It’s not Monday and it’s not morning. I’m sending out this message early on a Friday afternoon to talk about something we all have to deal with at this time of year — snow.

Every time it snows heavily, like it is right now, I usually see an influx of new patients suffering from back pain due to snow shoveling. So, let’s talk about how to avoid these injuries.

Emergency Contact

First off, if you’ve hurt your back while shoveling, don’t wait until next week. Give me a call at the number provided above. I’m available over the weekend for any snow-shoveling-related emergencies¹.

Injury Prevention

Here are some tips to prevent injuries while dealing with the snow in your driveway:

Avoidance: The easiest way to avoid injury is simply not to shovel the snow. You could wait for the rain to wash it away or hire neighborhood kids or a professional service. If you have the budget, you could even invest in a snowplow².

Warm-Up: If you must shovel, remember that it’s a strenuous workout. Like any workout, you need to warm up your body and muscles first. Run up and down the driveway, do some jumping jacks, or skip in place — anything to get your body warm and blood flowing.

Push, Don’t Lift: Try not to lift the snow. Instead, push it to the side of the driveway⁴. If you must lift, make sure to bend your knees and keep your back straight.

Use Your Muscles: Use your muscles, not your joints, for leverage. If the snow gets too heavy and you can’t rely on your muscles anymore, stop what you’re doing or take smaller shovels.

Busy Feet: Lastly, keep your feet moving. Don’t anchor your foot in one place and rotate your back. This position can strain your back⁶.

Stay safe this winter, folks! Remember, I’m here if you need any help. Feel free to drop us a message if you have any questions.