On a nice snowy day like this in Michigan it is always a good time to remind you of some spine safe shoveling techniques.

1.  You should always push the snow rather than lift.

2.  Warm up and stretch before you start shoveling.  Toe touch stretch, side bend stretches and back arch stretches should do the trick.

3.  Take breaks if you feel a burning pain in your back.  This is your muscles fatiguing making you more susceptible to spine and disc injuries (i.e. “slipped disc”)

4.  Ice your back after you get done shoveling.  It will help decrease inflammation.  This is especially important if you hurt yourself out there.

Be safe and give me a call when you get done.  I will fix you all back up…pun intended.