As our favourite characters on Game of Thrones love to remind us:
What they don’t teach us on that show is how to protect our bodies while combatting that winter weather. When the snow starts coming down, it’s important to know how we can prevent injury while shoveling.
The Ontario Chiropractic Association’s (OCA) campaign “Lift Light, Shovel Right” teaches us some great tips to keep our backs feeling good during the upcoming snowy season.
- Start early!
Don’t wait until the snowfall is finished. Shoveling smaller amounts at a time will put less strain on your back.
- Pick the right shovel
A lightweight plastic shovel, especially the pusher-type will help keep the weight of your load down. If you are using a metal one, the OCA recommends spraying it with Teflon first to prevent snow from sticking to the shovel.
- Bend your knees, maintain neutral spine
If you do have to lift, make sure you’re bending from your knees and not flexing your spine too much. Try to maintain that natural curve of your lower back to help avoid injury.
- Warm up
It’s important to get your body warm and moving nicely before doing any strenuous activity. Something as simple as a short walk, even if you stay in one spot, can be very helpful to keep your body happy.
- Take breaks
Sometimes we are too determined to finish our task and forget about the importance of rest. If you feel tired or out of breath, it’s important to take a break. Grab some water, stretch, shake out your arms and legs
