Ugh!………Snow
Here is a topic I wish I could put off for another month or two, but when you get your first snowfall the day after Halloween it’s not too early to discuss winter shoveling safety.
Doing things properly is the best way to manage risk and reduce the chance of injury; shoveling snow is no different. Injuries can range from mild to severe and can lead to symptoms of minor aches and pains, and in some cases shoveling can be fatal. Here are some common and not so common health outcomes of improper snow removal.
Back pain: No news here, as back pain is likely the most common negative side effect of shoveling snow. Overdoing it or using poor technique can strain your spine. Back pain, sciatic pain, upper back and neck pain are all common consequences.
Other joint and muscle pains: Hips, shoulders, knees, elbows. If it moves, it’s at risk for injury. Bursitis, tendinitis, arthritis are all too common winter maladies. Hernias: Any kind of heavy lifting can lead to abdominal muscle tears. Those who are already overweight or women who have abdominal weakness from prior pregnancies may be at greater risk for hernias from snow shoveling. A hiatal hernia is also possible from lifting a heavy shovel. Sharp, stabbing upper back and chest pain, followed by recurrent heartburn or indigestion may be an indication that part of your stomach tissue has herniated above the diaphragm. Dehydration: We don’t think about drinking enough water during winter activities like we do in the heat of the summer. The truth is that we can lose quite a bit of water through sweating and breathing during the winter time. The air is often drier in the winter and as a result we lose even more of our body’s moisture while we breathe.
Heart attack and stroke: Unfortunately, shoveling snow can be fatal. Research shows that hospitalizations due to cardiac events increase 1-2 days following any major snow storm. Because of the large muscle groups involved in shoveling, cardiac demand increases dramatically.
The most important thing about snow removal is to remember that slow and steady wins the race. Take your time; take lots of breaks inside to replenish your energy and your hydration. Use a lighter plastic or fiberglass shovel over a metal one. Push rather than lift and throw. A scoop was one of my best past winter purchases. Don’t be fooled thinking that a snowblower will make things easier. They too can be heavy and awkward. And don’t be afraid to ask a neighbour for help. Like most homeowners, I live on a street where there is a wide range of snow removal connoisseurs. There are those who remove every flake from every square inch of hardscape to those who just beat a path with their own boots or radial tires. Just like in the summer time when I don’t have the greenest grass on the street but I also don’t have the brownest; I fall somewhere in between. It is possible that the smart ones are those who do the minimal amount of snow removal. When the snow starts melting away in the warmer days of March, no one really cares that you had the cleanest driveway on the block with symmetrical piles of snow. Trust that the one that put the snow there will be the one to take it away.