Confessions of A Recovering Snow Shoveller

This November has dropped more snow on us than any other November since 1996, which was the November before the flood of the century.  Unless you wait until next spring, this snow won't get rid of itself. So you're going to have to get rid of it somehow. You have a few options to do this...

You could call someone like Marcel at Chevrefils Greenhouse in Pine Falls (204-367-1492) to plow the snow for you...

You could get into urban snowshoeing ...

You could melt the snow with an blowtorch  (but this is not recommended. Really, it's a bad idea.)...

or you could learn to enjoy walking on a small hard-packed trails.

If none of these options appeal to you, you will have to find someway of getting rid of the snow for yourself. This usually means shoveling or snow blowing.  Both of these can lead to discomfort, but by different  means.

Snow blowing has the undeniable benefit of making your shoveling neighbours jealous while at the same time looking pretty cool and quite manly. But there are two aspects of snow blowing that can lead to problems, vibration and posture.

Vibration has been linked to problems like carpal tunnel syndrome, white finger syndrome, numbness and tingling in the hands and arms.  An easy solution for this is to wear thick, warm mitts or gloves.  This isn't usually a problem here in Manitoba.  When you wear thick mitts or gloves the vibration from the snow blower is absorbed by the mitts and not by your hands.

The other issue is your posture while snow blowing can give you a sore back. As with vacuuming and lawn mowing, while snow blowing it is quite common to be continually leaning forward. 

When leaning forward, the large back muscles - called the erector spinae - are activated more that usual.  Just like anytime you use a muscle more than it is accustomed to, you can get pain.  This is typically not a big deal and it generally doesn't last longer than a day or two.  If it lasts longer, or feels like it is getting worse, or you can't handle the pain - come in and we can have a look.  Otherwise, a nice warm bath or shower should help.

Being a snowblowerless Manitoban, I know the trials and tribulations of using a snow shovel.  However there are enough of makes and models of snow shovels to make a polar bear weep gently to himself during those long winter nights.  Here are a few I found recently....

Curvy ergo-shovel

Robot shovel

Push-type shovel

Plastic shovels

Crazy-wheely shovel

Collapsible metal shovel

Two wheeled shovel

I have some ground breaking news...there are no perfect shovels.  But there are a couple of rules of thumb when choosing a shovel:

• Lighter is better, so plastic is usually better than metal.
• Use a larger shovel for light fluffy show and a smaller shovel for hard or heavy snow.
• Make sure the handle is long enough. Short handles make you bend over while shoveling.
• Robot shovels are awesome, unless they become self-aware and use humans as a source of energy.
• Make sure the shovel is in good shape - no broken or rounded edges, no broken handles, etc.
• Remember to use the right tool for the right job.

Like snow blowing, you may get a bit of a back ache after shoveling.  Here are some ways to help lessen this or avoid it all together:

• Like any physical activity or workout it makes good sense to warm up and stretch a bit first.  Simple movements like walking on the spot, light hamstring stretches, shoulder stretches and basic movements for a minute or two is usually sufficient. Don't just roll out of bed then start shoveling...  If you want some specific stretches or warm-up exercises, let me know. I'd be happy to help.
• When lifting or throwing the snow, try to keep your back relatively straight (or as chiropractors like to call it 'neutral posture') and use your legs rather than your back.  Although you will use more energy when using your legs, stiff legs are usually less bothersome than a stiff back.
• Have a plan.  Where are you going to put the snow?  How long do you think it will take?  Really, just think about it a bit first, it will save you problems later.
• Don't be a hero - hero's get hurt.
• Don't overestimate how much you can or should lift.
• Switch sides often.  Don't hold the shovel the same way all the time, alternate power and pivot hands. 
• Take breaks, you don't have to do it all at once.  Breaks will give your body time to recover and lowers your chance of feeling sore afterward.

Like snowblowing, your back may be a bit stiff and sore afterward - THIS IS NORMAL.  However, if the discomfort/stiffness turns to pain, or is different than anything you've previously experienced, or doesn't go away after a couple of days come on in and I'll have a look. 

If you are experiencing chest pain/shortness of breath/radiating arm pain during or after snow clearing get this checked right away.

And like always, if you have questions I'd be more than happy to answer them if I can, or point you in the right direction if I can't.

Happy Shoveling.