How to Shovel Snow and Protect your Back

This shows the basics of what you need to know to shovel snow and protect your back. It is meant to assist you when you already know you are healthy enough to shovel snow. If you are not sure, then check with your primary care doctor.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Back
• Pain;
• Snow
• Shoveling;
• Shoveling
• snow;
• low
• back
• pain;
• dr.
• gillman;
• scott
• gillman
• chiropractic;
• disc;
• disc
• herniation;

[mskdoctor123]

Ty', you worry too much. Besides, it's an opportunity to tighten your abdominal muscles. Research shows that abdominal bracing is protective to the lower back. So walk slowly, anticipate that your shovel could abruptly hit against ice, and keep your ab's solid. Also, some shovels are much sharper than others. I cannot push my sharper shovel on the driveway because it often catches the cracks and bumps in the pavement. Dr. G

[mskdoctor123]

I like the "get your teen age legs out there and shovel!" method. But when you don't have a couple of teenagers and you don't have a snowblower, here's the basics on how to do it.

[Moreoff]

Hey Doc, we've just received 28" of snow here. To verify that I'm shoveling properly, would you mind stopping by and demonstrating that procedure for a few hours?

[SabreImagery]

Very good advice, thank you!! It will come in handy when I go home tonight and shovel some more of this snow...

[RaPeSQUADps3]

bitch as snow

[AlbertChyn]

ty

[kratosson1]

thanks for yours tips doc!!!

[tayfully]

Thank you for this video! This is my second winter in Vermont and it looks like I've been doing it the wrong way (twisting). Luckily, I've never hurt myself but my shoulders/back usually get pretty sore. Hopefully this will help!

[100tuyetvan]

Use GLOVES that won't slide on the handle when you grip the shovel. Gloves with rubber or suede on the palms and fingers are better than plain knit gloves. A good grip is very important--losing a grip when you are bearing a heavy load of snow and ice may cause muscle strain or other injuries.

For a similar reason, you should wear warm shoes with good traction so you do not slip and fall

[100tuyetvan]

i have no problems pushing the shovel in front of my belly (very effective) .. but i have a problem when lifting it up (the "light aluminium snow shovel" blade tips over to the side .. all the snow i've got just go back down to the ground)

to prevent it from tipping, i have to bend my back, & hold it closed to the blade to keep it firm (which might not be good for my back ?)

anybody have an idea here to prevent it from tipping ?? thx :D

yesterday, snowfall for 5-6 hours, crazy arghhh

[ty99999returns]

never walk with the shovel like that it will hit ice and u will get the wind knocked out of you.

[ViraJinn]

i always shovel the snow after eating lol