Every year, winter brings both the beauty of fresh snow and the safety hazards it presents. Clearing your driveway and walkways is important for safety reasons, but shoveling snow could cause spinal pain that leads to a visit to the chiropractor, especially if you already have back issues. Below are three tips for how to shovel snow to avoid additional back issues.

How to Avoid Spinal Pain Caused by Snow Shoveling

1. Reduce the Strain on Your Back

Snow is a heavy substance, and shoveling much of it can put immense demands on your back. Using a shovel designed to lessen the toll on your back will help, and they’re recognizable by the slight bend in the handle. When shoveling, try not to bend over any more than is necessary. Instead of tossing the snow to the side, shove it out of the way with the shovel. It’s easier on your muscles than lifting a heavy load, and you won’t pull your muscles from twisting while carrying the heavy load. If you do pick up the shovel with snow in it, lift with your legs and not your back.  

2. Stretch or Warm Up

Cold temperatures cause your muscles to tense and stiffen, increasing the risk of tears, strains, pulls, and spinal pain. Before shoveling, manually warm up your muscles by using heated muscle pain relief patches or hot water bottles or by allowing hot water to run over your back for several minutes. Once they’re relaxed, do light stretches for your whole body, followed by warm-up exercises to stimulate blood flow and limber up your muscles. Dress warmly for going outside, and take frequent breaks to warm back up; repeat the stretches before going back out.

3. Consider Other Options

If you have an existing back condition or are susceptible to back injuries, search for other ways to clear your driveway and walkways. Take pre-emptive measures to prevent the buildup of ice and snow, such as salt or deicing agents. Instead of shoveling, consider investing in a snowblower as an easy alternative. If that isn’t an option, reach out to local volunteer groups and organizations that help those with medical conditions to find out if they can shovel your driveway for you. Even if they’re not able to, they might be able to point you in the direction of someone who can.

If you have chronic spinal pain or have developed it after shoveling snow, the experienced chiropractor team at Mid Rivers Chiropractic in St. Peters, MO, want to bring you effective pain relief. Utilizing advanced chiropractic treatment methods and a comprehensive approach, they offer a high level of care for various complaints, from sciatica to sports injuries, with treatments such as chiropractor adjustments and acupuncture available. With more than 30 years of experience, they’ll help you regain mobility and function while improving your quality of life through reduced pain. View their services online, and call (636) 279-1400 to schedule your appointment.