Shoveling can be one of the most tedious chores to do when winter rolls around.  Not only is it cold and miserable, but it is also exhausting and potentially dangerous if done the wrong way.  Many people suffer from back injuries when they shovel, but this is an avoidable outcome. Prevent back injuries when shoveling snow by making sure to take the right precautions.

Things to consider:

1)     Your shovel

2)     Your muscles

3)     Your body

4)     Your technique

The first thing to look into is finding a good shovel.  Many new shovels have more ergonomic designs that can reduce the amount of stress on your back.  They also have better metal on the bottom that allows you to remove snow and ice with ease.  You should look for a shovel that alleviates some of the effort for you.  Try a shovel with a curved handle that can adjust to height, which will reduce the amount of bending you do.  You will be required to bend your legs and back only slightly while still getting the same amount of snow off the ground.  If you want, a lighter shovel may also reduce the amount of weight you are throwing around.

Another thing you should be aware of is your muscles.  Make sure to move around and warm them up so that they are more flexible when it comes time to do the job.  Cold, tight muscles are more prone to injury or seizing up.  Anything that increases your heart rate and keeps you warm will make your shoveling experience less painful.

Furthermore, you need to be aware of what your body can handle.  You should shovel small amounts of snow frequently rather than strain yourself all at once.  Lifting large amount of snow very slowly is actually worse for your back.  If you feel as though your body cannot handle the shoveling, you should stop and hire a snow removal service to finish the job for you.

Finally you should always practice safe lifting technique when shoveling snow.  Face the mound you want to lift with your feet and hips squared.  Bend from your hips, not your back, while pushing your chest out.  This will allow you to lift with your knees bent.  Grip your hands as close to the blade as possible, and avoid twisting at odd angles when dumping the snow. You should also walk to the place you want to unload the snow rather than reaching/tossing it.

If you are looking for a snow removal company use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable local businesses. Simply enter a brief description of your service needs along with your location and availability, and within minutes you should be on the phone with a professional willing to help.

This entry was updated on Wednesday, July 1st, 2015 at 1:41 pm. This entry was originally posted on Monday, December 3rd, 2012 at 6:00 pm and is filed under Snow Removal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.