Winter provides a whole new realm of possibilities when it comes to activity. The snow and ice add ice-skating, skiing, snowboarding, sledding and everyone’s favorite activity; shoveling! With all these new winter sports adds risks of injury.
A 17-year study conducted by the Journal of Emergency Medicine found that snow shoveling sends nearly 11,000 adults and children to the hospital every year! Sprain/strains topped the list, usually occurring in the low back. Next in line were broken bones, most commonly associated with a slip or fall while shoveling. What caught me by surprise was that children were 15 times more likely to be injured – most often the result of being hit by a shovel!
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If you plan on having your children outside while you shovel, teach them how to use one that is sized for their age. It is extremely important they know the shovel is not a toy. Hundreds of children yearly sustain head injuries during shoveling!
Since the majority of us will shovel at least once this winter, here are a handful of tips on how to prevent injury.
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· Proper Technique: We all know to bend at the hips and knee. DO NOT throw the snow! Carry the snow to the location. Try not to lift more then you can handle.
· A New Shovel: A shovel with an adjustable handle length is worth the extra money. Most injuries occur because a shovel is too short causing unnecessary stress on the back. Plastic is lighter than metal – although often not as efficient.
· Snow Blower: If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, a snow blower is a great investment.
If you are big into winter sports, make sure to WARM UP! If your muscles are cold, they are much more susceptible to injury! A quick warm up and stretching will get you ready to enjoy a full day on the slopes. These tips will help make sure you can enjoy the entire winter season doing the things you love.
If you suffer an injury while shoveling, don’t hesitate to call your chiropractor! We are trained to handle musculoskeletal injuries including sprains and strains associated with shoveling and winter sports injuries. We can get you back in those skates in no time!
North Shore Pro-Active Health is located at 112 W. Lake Street in Libertyville Illinois. Dr's Jordan & Jade Leasure can be reached at 847-362-4476. Visit their website for great health tips and information at www.DrLeasure.com.
