Shoveling out of the Snowpocalypse

Are you one of the many people staring at your driveway now dreading all the work it is going to take to clear the 20" plus of snow we have received.  Are you jealous of your neighbor next door snow blower and wishing they only knew the hard work your going to have to endure over the next few hours.  If so keep reading for for  few tips to help spare your back and keep yourself healthy this winter season, because it looks like we are in for a long one.

A study over 17 years found that over 195,000 people reported to the ER for snow shoveling injuries.  This study found that over 34% of those injuries were attributed to lower back pain and of that 34%, over half were due to overexertion of the musculoskeletal system.   Shoveling snow will injure a lot of people each year, causing them to seek care for their injuries.  Below are some ways to help stay out of a healthcare facility, and stay safe while getting good exercise.

• The best way to not get injured this time of year while shoveling is to make sure that you are good physical condition throughout the year, so that this new activity will not be too much for your body.  While this is not always possible, it is very important to make sure you are conscious of body position and keep a neutral spine while pushing and throwing the snow.
• It is important to limit the amount of snow that you have to throw.  If you can push the snow to the edge, do it and then throw the snow from there in smaller increments.  When you are tossing the snow, try not to rotate or toss the snow over your head to limit the amount of load on the spine.
• It might be time to get a new more ergonomically correct shovel so that you do not have to bend over as much and decrease the load and stress on the spine.
• Shoveling snow is a strenuous activity and therefore you should slowly work into and warm up before jumping right into it.  Take frequent breaks and make sure you keep hydrated.  
• Don't wait for it to pile up.  It is easier to move 6 inches two times, than to move a 1 foot all at once.  If it is going to keep snowing, make sure you get out there every once in a while to help it from getting to be to heavy.