Jack Frost Has Arrived- This Could Mean Problems For Your Lower Back

All it took was a quick look out the window Monday, November 17th, to see that Jack Frost had arrived. For students in the area the snows arrival meant school closing and delays, for others the white powder meant spending extra time in the morning to shovel that dreaded driveway.

We caught up with Pat Wishoven as he was shoveling his driveway, “My sidewalk is a corner lot, it takes me about 30 minutes to really get it all cleaned.”

Shoveling the driveway may not seem like a difficult task, but the number one injury sustained after a snowstorm is lower back strain, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission. That’s when a muscle gets over tensioned and tightens, this can cause very painful spasms.There are ways that you can prevent lower back strain, for example, the Back Saver Shovel we found at the Sunrise Do It Center.

"This is called the backsaver shovel. It’s got a handle that’s designed for when you put it on the ground. You don’t have to bend over here to pick it up, you can grasp it right here you hardly have to bend over at all,” said customer service representative, Dayle Bailey.

Another way to ensure the safety of your back is to not overload your shovel. The snow Monday, November 17th, was a dense heavy snow, so be sure to minimize the amount you put on your shovel to keep your back healthy. It’s also important to use preventative methods when possible to cut down on your time in the cold.

Many preventatives can be found right at home. For example placing cardboard on your windshield, to keep the snow off the glass, and placing gloves on your windshield wipers to keep them from sticking. Remember preventative measures are the best way to cut down the time it takes to get your car ready in the morning snow.