Snow shoveling is one of the most common causes of back injuries during the winter season. The good news is with the proper equipment and preparations you can go this season unscathed. Here’s the list: Pick the Right Snow Shovel Ergonomic shovels can help take some of the effort out of snow removal chores. A shovel with a curved handle will minimize bending, helping you to use more of your knees then your lower back. A small, lightweight, plastic blade helps reduce the amount of weight that you are moving. Warm Up as if You Were About to Exercise Cold muscles are more prone to injury. By warming up for just a few minutes before shoveling you can stave off serious injury. Get your heart pumping with a brisk walk, jogging in place, jumping jacks or another full-body activity. Stretch your legs by doing some hamstring and quad stretches. Stretch your arms and trunk Hold poses for 10 - 15 seconds Use Ergonomic Lifting Tech
Jared Ruban, owner/founder of Body Plus LLC, is a Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer specializing in Pain Management, Post Physical Therapy, Stability and Strength Training. As a Massage Therapist, Jared is best known for his ability to relieve chronic pain, in many cases, permanently. His training spans the globe studying Shiatsu, CMT,Traditional Thai, and Vedic. As a Personal Trainer, Jared's approach to fitness is designing a program based first on the clients needs, then wants.