Snow Business

For some, snow means fun, but for those of us who have to shovel it, now can mean the onslaught of injuries when you to shovel it. Back injuries are especially common this time of year, as more people are out doing this laborious task.

  

In a study, from Cornell University, the L5/S1 disk is the weakest link in the spinal column/body chain and most susceptible to injury. For us non-doctors, this is the lower back area. Which unfortunately, gets a lot of wear and tear during a task such as snow shoveling.

 Some helpful tips to make your snow shoveling safer and smarter:

• Stretch. Stretch your muscles before shoveling. This will help avoid pulled cramps and other muscles injuries.
• Be heart smart. Don't eat or smoke before shoving snow. Avoid caffeinated drinks and other products. Caffeine will increase your heart rate and cause blood vessels to constrict. Not good when shoveling snow.
  Dress for the weather. Wear clothing that is easy to move in. Always wear a hat-most of your body heat is lost through your head. Proper boots are essential. Make sure they will keep your feet warm and dry. They should have a good grip to help prevent slipping on the snow and ice. Choose gloves that will keep your hands warm and dry, and have a good grip to them for easy handling of the shovel. A thick-layered glove is recommended.
• Shovel ergonomics. Choose a with a curved handle. The special of the handle helps keep your back straight. This is ideal for anyone who has back issues. You can find these shovels at many hardware or improvement stores.
• Consider a shovel with a plastic blade. Plastic blades are lighter than the metal blades, thus making the shoveling chore easier.
• Smaller is better. A smaller blade may mean less of a load per shovel, but it will be lighter and less strain on the back.
• Pushing instead of lifting. It's actually easier to push snow aside than to lift it. There shovels specifically-made to push snow. Check your hardware store to see if they have them.
• Technique. You've probably heard it all before, but it's true. Lift with your legs, not your back. Squat with your legs about a shoulder's width apart. Lift small amounts, nothing too heavy. Don't twist your body. Dump the snow in front of you. Not over your shoulder.
• Feeling cold. When you start feeling cold, that's the time to go inside and warm-up.
• Stop when feeling tired. Don't shovel to the point when you're feeling exhausted. Know your body and limits.
• Hire help. If shoveling snow is out of the question for you, budget to pay someone do it for you. Advertise in local newspapers, even social networks like Facebook or Twitter can be good places to find someone near you willing to help.