How to Protect Your Back While Shoveling

Shoveling is a brutal job on your body, specifically your back. The repeated motion of pushing and scooping snow is strenuous and puts a lot of stress on your back. In this article, we'll discuss some of the most important things to keep in mind while shoveling so that the damage to your body can be minimized or even negated. Read on if you are interested in keeping yourself safe while doing necessary household chores after it snows. 

Move Around As Little As Possible: When shoveling, make long, even strokes and then scoop up all the snow to the side at one time. Instead of doing little bits at a time, move your back as little as possible so there isn't as much stress put on it. Clean off your pavement by getting as much snow in the shovel as possible before scooping it to the side, instead of by getting little amounts and scooping them. The less your back moves in any direction, the better.

Be Consistent and Slow In Your Motions: Don't heave that pile of wet, heavy snow onto the grass next to the pavement super quickly in an effort to be more efficient. Instead, lift it slowly, carefully, and deliberately so that you don't pull a muscle or put your back out of joint. Use consistent motions and don't "change it up" on your back too much. 

In general, be mindful: This really comes down to common sense. If you think about doing something different than you usually do to speed up the shoveling process, first consider the effect it will have on your body. Prioritize your safety and physical health over how quickly you can get the job done. If you get the job done in half the time you usually do, you might feel really good about yourself for the next twenty minutes until you realize you can barely stand up or walk due to zinging pains up and down your spine. A difference of five or ten minutes in how long it takes you to shovel is not worth a two-hour visit to the doctor--ever. Use good judgment and prudence to decide if your methods of shoveling are safe.

Stay safe out there! Never put unnecessary strain on your body, as it is far more important than your driveway being clear of snow. Take your time, and follow the tips above for a safe shoveling experience. 

Published August 15th, 2023.