Five Tips To Avoid Back Pain While Shoveling Snow

Thanksgiving is less than a week away and that chill in the air means soon you’ll be shoveling snow out of your driveway. Unless you happen to own a tractor, you’ll be forced to remove that bright frozen power the old fashioned way, with a shovel. That can be a pain in the back in more ways than one!

Here’s 5 simple tips to avoid back pain while shoveling snow this winter:

• Don’t let the snow pile up
  If the weather report calls for several days of snow, frequent shoveling will allow you to move smaller amounts of snow at once. It’s far less strenuous in the long run.
• Pick the right shovel
  Use a lightweight pusher-type shovel. If you are using a metal shovel, spray it with Teflon first, so snow won’t stick to it.
• Push, don’t throw
  Always push the snow to the side rather than throw it. That way you avoid lifting heavy shovelfuls of snow, and sudden twisting or turning movements.
• Bend your knees
  As with any heavy object, you need to use your knees, and leg and arm muscles to do the pushing and lifting, while keeping your back straight.
• Take a break
  If you feel tired or short of breath, stop and take a rest. Shake out your arms and legs. Stop shoveling immediately if you feel chest pain or back pain.

Visit The Minimally Invasive Spine Institute website for more information about back pain and spine health.

Tags: Back Pain, Minimally Invasive Spine Institute