Being in the Midwest, snow is bound to fall at some point during the winter months. Advanced Rehab and Sports Medicine Clinic Manager Doug Price offers proper mechanics to remember when shoveling snow to prevent injuries:
“When we are standing and you think about your low back, we have this nice little curvature in our low back. With any type of lifting, any type of shoveling, you are trying to maintain that curve. You have always heard people say, ‘you need to bend your knees and use your legs,’ that is correct, but you can still bend your knees and squat down and lose that curve, meaning it goes the opposite direction, it rounds out. That is what you do not want. You are trying to keep yourself as upright as possible; trying to keep your chest out, butt out, and keep that nice little curve and bend your knees as you are shoveling. The other thing, as you are scooping, you need to be using your legs. Don’t rotate. You are supposed to face up wherever you are throwing the snow, take a little bit of a pivot step, face up the direction you are going to be throwing that snow. Don’t just twist your body and throw the snow because that is what is going to hurt your low back.”
Price also says it is a good idea to take your time, don’t overexert yourself, and don’t overload the shovel with heavy snow.
