01/27/2026
11,000 adults and children go to the hospital every year with injuries related to shoveling snow.
Research shows that most common shoveling injuries are injuries to the lower back, but muscle, ligament, tendon, and other soft tissue injuries also topped the list of snow shoveling mishaps. Here are 3 stretches to help prevent injury and reduce stress on the spine.
1.Core stretch (twist slowly side-to-side)
2. Quads (Bring your heel to your butt for 30 seconds)
3. Hamstrings (Touch your toes for 30 seconds/leg)
Shovel safely using these tips: Stretch before you begin. Warm up. Push the snow-do not lift it. If you do lift it, use a small shovel, or only partially fill the shovel. Lift with your legs, not your back. Make sure you are properly aligned by your sonar chiropractor!