Neighbor News
Shovel with Care
Spring may be around the corner, but winter isn't over yet. Dr. Soares Velez offers tips to prevent injury while snow shoveling.
March has certainly come in like a lion! As the storms continue to hit and the snow accumulates, it’s important to keep safety in mind when the cleanup begins. Here are a few snow shoveling tips to help prevent injury.
- Bend your knees and lift with your legs.
- Be sure to keep the shovel close to the body as you lift the snow in order to decrease the risk of low back pain/injury.
- Switch your grip on the bar of the shovel in order to prevent forearm soreness.
- Take turns between snow shoveling right handed and left handed in order to work different muscle groups and decrease the chances of overworking certain muscles.
- Take multiple scoops of snow instead of one big scoop. Lifting light to moderate loads is easier on the body and will decrease your risk of injury.
- Take frequent breaks in between shoveling, especially if the snow is heavy.
While spring may be around the corner, it’s possible we could see more snow before March exits like a lamb. Follow these tips every time and you’ll be more likely to emerge unscathed from snow injuries.
Javier Soares Velez, M.D., is a physiatrist with Hackensack Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center.
