Tips for Safe Snow Shoveling

Tips for Safe Snow Shoveling

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Currently, at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic, we have been seeing many patients that are coming in due to back pain after shoveling snow. With the hopes of preventing injuries, we would like to share some tips to help you stay happy and healthy when clearing the white stuff out of your way.

-Moving snow is physically demanding; warm up your body and muscles prior to clearing snow from your driveway and side walks as you would for any physically demanding activity.


-Consider using or investing in a snow blower.


-If a shovel is the tool for you, try to use a shovel with a curved, ergonomic design that limits poor posture.


-Push the snow out of the way with the shovel, as opposed to 'lift and throw'.


If you must lift the snow:


-Lift small loads as opposed to full shovels.


-Widen your grip on the shovel when lifting. This helps keeps the weight of the load close to your body center.  Basic physics teaches us that the farther a load is away from the body the more force will be applied to the spine


-Lift properly.  Lift with the legs and hips as opposed to the back. Keep the low back straight or bent back slightly when lifting; do not let the low back bend forward when lifting.  Look up and chest up when lifting. Do not twist when forward bending and lifting (this is the most common mechanism for disc herniation injuries).


-Walk the lifted snow to its destination as opposed to throwing snow from the shovel with a twisting motion.


If you would like to discuss ways to prevent back injuries or need care after snow shoveling, give the doctors at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic a call 406-551-2177.

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