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| Health Tips > Snow Shovelling |
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Winter Storms Can Take a toll on your health |
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"Snow shovelling, slips, and falls top causes of winter back pain" say Ontario's back specialists.
As most of Ontario braces for its first big snowfall of the season, Ontario's back care specialists warn that slips, falls, strained and sore muscles could be on the rise as the snow piles up and ice coats the walk ways. "Chiropractors typically find an increase in patients who present with complaints of back and muscle pain or injuries following a heavy snow fall," said Dr. Dean Wright, president of the Ontario Chiropractic Association "it's unfortunate because these mishaps could be prevented." "Improper technique can be anything from bending at the waist instead of at the knees to throwing snow instead of pushing it. When you combine improper technique with the average weight of one shovelful of snow (three to five kilograms) the result can be a serious problem for both adults and the children who help them." "Back problems can surface in patients during the winter, especially those who are unaccustomed to participating in challenging physical activity on a regular basis," said Dr. Wright, a Newmarket based chiropractor. "It is important to pace yourself based on your physical fitness level. Warm-up your muscles, use your leg and arm muscles to lift while bending at the knees, keep your back straight, and take frequent breaks." "If you take care and use a few simple precautions to 'Lift light. Shovel right.' you will be well on your way to a safe and healthy winter," added Dr. Wright. "Also be cautious of icy walkways and slippery surfaces. With the predicted of intermittent thaws and subsequent freezing, conditions can give way to ice build-up under foot resulting in nasty slips and falls. These types of mishaps can cause serious strained, bruised or torn muscles, and in some cases broken bones," says Dr. Wright. |
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