{"id":2810,"date":"2017-12-15T14:59:41","date_gmt":"2017-12-15T14:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=2810"},"modified":"2022-01-12T13:15:27","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T19:15:27","slug":"simple-steps-to-avoid-injury-when-shoveling-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/simple-steps-to-avoid-injury-when-shoveling-snow\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple steps to avoid injury while shoveling snow"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Tis the season for, glistening icicles hanging from bare tree branches and hot cocoa by the fire. Unfortunately, it\u2019s also the season of shoveling snow and slippery ice that seems to sneak up on you.<\/p>\n

For Jaime McCarthy, a physical therapist at\u00a0OSF Rehabilitation<\/a>\u00a0in Escanaba, Michigan, \u2018tis the season when she sees a lot of people with back, shoulder and hip injuries suffered either from slips and falls on the ice or from shoveling snow.<\/p>\n

While some people probably wish they could just hunker down in their warm homes and hibernate until spring, for most of us, this isn\u2019t realistic. We have to brave the cold, and we have to shovel our driveways and sidewalks.<\/p>\n

Here are some tips to help you prevent your winter wonderland from becoming a painful nightmare.<\/p>\n

Be prepared<\/h2>\n

Try to maintain your activity level prior to shoveling to keep your body stronger. At minimum try to at least do a walking program and\u00a0regular gentle stretching<\/a>. This will help keep you stronger and improve your balance, said McCarthy.<\/p>\n

If you have any heart problems, check with your doctor first to make sure you can safely handle the physical exertion.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny of us here at OSF Rehabilitation are more than happy to help you with stretching and strength prior to these activities to help prevent injuries,\u201d McCarthy said. \u201cIf you do have an injury we\u2019re happy to help, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shovel safely<\/h2>\n

When it comes time to shovel, McCarthy offers some tips to keep yourself safe.<\/p>\n