We often see patients at Highland Physical Therapy who have injured themselves when shoveling snow. It's actually more common than you might think - so if you have, you're not alone!

You might experience aches and pains as you shovel snow, or it may become progressively more painful leaving you reliant on painkillers to get through the day and unable to sleep well at night. If you notice that snow shoveling leads to more back pain, wrist injuries, or if you're concerned about your fall risk, this blog shares some simple and effective ways to avoid injuries.

Winter in Idaho can bring a LOT of snow. And we've already accumulated a bunch this past week. This article lists some tips for protecting your body during snow removal - while using a shovel or snow blower. Most are common sense, yet still worth reviewing.
1. Warm up muscles to prevent straining. Like bubble gum, warmer muscles stretch better than cold ones. Use a stationary bike or treadmill if you have one. If not, walk up and down the stairs a couple of time. Try a simple stretch by slowly reaching for your toes, then stand with hand on hips and lean backwards.