Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, The Liberal, Copyright December 12, 1990

Dear Dr. Horowitz:

What can be done to ease the pressure which builds up in my lower back when I shovel snow? Every year my back hurts after shovelling. I am fine after I stop and rest for a few minutes. I am in great shape, play hockey twice a week, I am not overweight and I don’t have any back pain at any other time, even after lifting heavy weights or shovelling in the garden. Any suggestions?

L.L., Aurora

Dear Reader:

If you are not overweight and you don’t have back pain at any other time except when you shovel snow we can assume that your pain is caused by a stress which you are placing on your back while performing that shovelling motion.

If you had a major problem in your back, it would likely bother you at other times as well.

There are many activities in an ‘usual’ day which places a strain on one’s lower back and if there was a ‘pathological’ cause for your back pain it would probably be felt at other times as well.

Therefore, according to your history I feel you are probably just doing one certain motion wrong while pushing, lifting or throwing the snow.

There is no other motion we do that is exactly like shovelling snow. Vacuuming comes close. Shovelling dirt comes close. But unlike these other activities, snow removal takes place in the cold. We are usually in a hurry when we shovel our driveways. We just try to get the snow off the driveway and throw it somewhere else. The street, the lawn, our neighbor’s driveway, it doesn’t really matter. Just get rid of it.

Many people try to throw the snow too far. The bending motion to pick up the snow, the lifting to get it off the ground and the twisting to throw it next door are all potential causes for your back pain. Lifting too much snow each time is another likely cause for your pain.

You say you are in good shape and you can probably lift heavy objects without any back pain, however, when you lift a large quantity of snow with a shovel you don’t have the luxury of holding it close to your body, as you would when lifting an object. Your loads must be lighter to prevent your back muscles from being strained.

There are many shovels now on the market which are designed to push the snow away, rather than requiring you to lift and throw it. You don’t have to be a 96-year-old with a heart condition to buy one of these shovels. They are good for anyone of any age, strength or fitness level. (I had one, but now my wife shovels our snow with a dustbuster. I sit in the house looking out the window, pointing out where she missed a spot or two. I usually bring her out some hot chocolate after the first hour or so.)

If you don’t ever have back problems except when you are shovelling snow it means you are straining the muscles, ligaments or joints in your lower back. Rest helps within minutes, therefore it is not a serious condition which requires professional attention at this time.

I suggest you do some stretching exersises before you shovel. You wouldn’t think of playing hockey without stretching first, and shovelling is at least as stressful on your back. Use a push shovel instead of a throw shovel if possible. If you must throw the snow, do so by squaring your body around to point in the direction you want to throw. Bend your knees and toss the snow just a short distance in front of you. When you bend to lift the snow on your shovel, choke-up on the shovel like you would on a baseball bat. This decreases your leverage, but you will be able to hold the weight closer to your body. Always bend from the knees, and always keep your back straight when shovelling. Never bend over from the waist to pick up the snow.

And now I will tell you the most important rule of all and one which should never be forgotten: always make the hot chocolate hot, and always bring it out to your partner before she starts getting that look in her eye. If she lifts the shovel over her head and starts towards the house, it is a good time to find the back door.

Allan Horowitz, D.C., is a chiropractor practising in Richmond Hill and writes this public service column. He will attempt to answer readers’ questions on a variety of t health, topics. Address your questions to Allan Horowitz, care of The Liberal, Box 390, Richmond Hill, L4C 4Y6.