Every winter, I often see people seeking help for snow shoveling injuries. Many are in significant pain, and some have even ended up in the ER, spending a lot of money on treatment. It is unfortunate what they go through, so I want to share a few key points to help you avoid snow shoveling injuries as the weather gets colder:

1. Take frequent breaks: If you have not been physically active, shoveling snow for more than 30 minutes at a time is not a good idea. Snow shoveling is more physically demanding than most people realize.
2. Use both sides of your body: Many of the injuries I see occur on one side of the sacroiliac (SI) joint or low back. Snow shoveling is primarily a unilateral activity, and we tend to favor our dominant side because it feels easier. By switching sides, you can distribute the stress more evenly across your body and reduce the risk of injury.
3. Push rather than lift the snow: Repeated lifting combined with turning and twisting while carrying the weight of the snow is a common cause of low back pain. Whenever possible, push the snow instead of lifting it.

Most importantly, assess the situation and avoid shoveling if it is not absolutely necessary. For instance, if the snow is likely to melt in an hour, you might not need to shovel at all (speaking from personal experience).

Stay safe, and do not let injuries ruin your holidays. If you do hurt yourself, reach out to us and we will take care of you.