Dr. Dalton's Blog-Shoveling Snow With Your Spine in Mind
One huge contributor to back pain during this time of year is shoveling snow on our driveways and sidewalks. The primary issue with shoveling is the motion in which we lift and move the snow. This motion is almost always a bending/lifting/twisting motion which puts more pressure on the intervertebral discs than ANY other motion. The best practice is to maintain proper posture as much as possible while you’re shoveling and take multiple breaks where you lay flat in order to let the spine extend and stretch. Another possible trick can be to step forward with the same side leg as the direction in which you’re shoveling the snow, so if you’re holding the shovel and your left hand is on the neck of the shovel reaching forward, then step forward with the left leg as well to avoid any excessive torsion in the lower back.
Ice can also help after shoveling. After being out in the cold, it might not be the most pleasant feeling to apply ice to the lower back, but it will help to calm down any inflammatory process that could have been caused by the activity. Heat will actually prolong the inflammatory process by increasing blood flow to the area, so warming up with a heating pad is actually counterproductive in this situation. Lastly, stretching your back and shoulders before and after shoveling snow will best ensure that the joints and muscles are lubricated enough to handle those repetitive motions.
Posted In:
Chiropractic
Low Back Pain Treatment
