So… you have a lot of snow to shovel. Don’t let the effort send you to the emergency room.
The National Institutes of Health reports that snow shoveling results in about 11,500 injuries per year on average.
Aspirus occupational therapist Nathaniel Kropidlowski says there are lots of potential dangers…
Improper body mechanics; not monitoring your heart; having poor equipment as in shovels, or clothing, or boots so you can cause slips.
A little preparation can prevent a lot of later agony…
The best warm-up in mobility movements to prevent injury before shoveling is stretching out your back, stretching out your shoulder, and stretching out your hips.
One of the most frequent complaints is back pain…
Proper shoveling technique involves more of, like, the hinge movement, where you’re using your body to work together, not bending at the back.
So… how do you know when you’re experiencing something more than just some garden-variety achy muscles?
Someone should consider therapy if they start noticing pain following shoveling, if they feel a “pop,” if they start noticing any discomfort that carries into a couple days after.
Touch base with your regular health care provider for moderate problems. Severe pain or heart issues could require a trip to the emergency room.
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