Shoveling and Neck and Shoulder Pain: What You Need to Know to Prevent Potential Injury in Livonia, MI

Whether you are shoveling snow in the winter or mulch in the summer, there will be a lot of bending and lifting involved, which can put you at serious risk of injury. Shoveling can create extensive neck and shoulder pain, but it can also be especially dangerous if you don’t take a few extra precautions during the task. If you do experience pain in your neck and/or shoulder, it’s best to visit your chiropractor in Livonia as soon as possible and in the meantime; here are a few tips to help you prevent an injury when shoveling.

Prepare Your Muscles

Before you go outside, warm your muscles up for about 10 minutes with some light exercise. This exercise can be as simple as walking in place, doing a few squats or stretching. If you aren’t sure which type of exercise is the most beneficial, talk with your Westland chiropractor for suggestions.

Start Early

When it comes to shoveling snow, it is much easier to shovel 2-3 inches of fresh snow as opposed to 6-inches of dense snow and ice. The same concept applies to shoveling mulch during the spring; shovel small quantities at a time, instead of attempting to fill the space quicker. If the weather report is calling for snow throughout the day, it’s better to shovel a few times through the day instead of waiting until the snow stops and shoveling it all at once.

Push Instead of Lifting

When shoveling snow, it is much easier to push the snow rather than lift it. However, if you have to lift it remember the best posture is to have bent knees, feet apart and your back straight and avoid twisting your torso when lifting the snow (or mulch in the spring). Always shovel small amounts at a time to avoid straining your back, shoulder, and neck.

Contact Us Today

If you already have an injury to your back, neck or shoulder, remember to talk with your Livonia chiropractor for advice before shoveling.

Whether you are searching for pain relief without the use of drugs, or you want to fix a sports injury without surgery, we can help you. Dr. Grant Schneider has been serving the areas of Livonia, Westland, Plymouth, and Canton, MI for more than 22 years as a leading chiropractic doctor. He will work with you to treat your neck pain, headaches, sciatica, disc injury, painful joints, and back pain. Contact our office at 734-462-2262 to schedule an appointment.