The Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) has recently re-launched its Lift Light, Shovel Right

campaign.  The chiropractic based campaign provides valuable information and tips as they relate to protecting your health and more specifically your back while shoveling this winter.  Chiropractors in Ottawa and other areas of the country typically see an increase in the number of lower back and spinal injuries immediately following moderate to heavy snow falls.  I’ve provided a few tips below which you can follow to help protect yourself this winter.

• Warm up your body before beginning shoveling.  For example, take a short walk and get your blood moving and muscles warmed up. 
• Purchase an ergonomic shovel.  These are well worth the investment.  Ask your Chiropractor for their recommendation on a suitable shovel.
• Break large jobs up into smaller chunks of work.  Resting between bouts of shoveling will allow your muscles and joints some time to recover before being stressed again. 
• Dress warmly.  A cold body is more likely be injured.
• Lift with your legs and not with your back.  We’ve all heard this one but you’d be amazed at the number of patients in my Chiropractic practice who don’t quite understand what it means.  It means keeping your back straight (properly aligned) while pushing up with your legs to lift the weight. 
• Push the snow instead of lifting the snow.
• Don’t twist and throw.  If you absolutely must lift the snow instead of pushing it, be sure to turn your body by shuffling your feet instead of twisting at the waist.  The rotation of the spine along with the added weight of the snow in the shovel is a great stress to your back. 

I wish you all a happy weekend.  Apparently we’re about to receive another 10 cm of snow tomorrow.  Pay attention to the points above.  Hopefully they’ll help you avoid a trip to the Chiropractor next week!

Your Ottawa Chiropractor,

Dr. Chad Wilson

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 9th, 2009 at 11:06 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. 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.