Langley does not get snow every week, but when it arrives, our Willoughby clinic sees it quickly. Heavy, wet snow, icy driveways, and less activity during the darker months combine into a reliable rise in low back pain each winter. This article covers why it happens, how to reduce the risk, and what chiropractic care can do if your back does flare up.
Why Back Pain Rises in Winter
Snow shovelling is a heavy, repetitive lift combined with twisting, often done first thing in the morning before the body has warmed up. Lower Mainland snow tends to be wet and heavy, which makes each scoop more demanding. Add slips on icy surfaces and the fact that many people are less active in winter, and the lower back is under more strain with less preparation.
How to Shovel More Safely
Warm up first with a few minutes of walking and gentle movement. Push snow rather than lifting it where you can. When you do lift, take smaller loads, bend at the hips and knees, keep the shovel close to your body, and turn your feet to face where you are throwing rather than twisting through your back. Take regular breaks. If you have heart concerns, check with your doctor before heavy shovelling.
After a Slip or Fall
Most back pain after a slip is muscular and settles with gentle movement over a few days. Staying in bed tends to slow recovery. Seek medical care first if you hit your head, cannot bear weight, have numbness around the groin, new bladder or bowel changes, or leg weakness that is getting worse.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
After an assessment of your lower back, hips and how you move, treatment may include spinal adjustments or mobilisation of stiff joints, soft tissue therapy, and modalities such as shockwave, laser or ultrasound where they suit the problem. Most of my focus is on active care: getting you moving early and building hip and trunk strength so your back copes better with the next heavy job. If pain travels into the leg, our sciatica page explains how that is assessed.
Staying Active Through the Darker Months
Regular activity is one of the most useful protections for your back in winter. Indoor options such as the gym, swimming or a short home routine of hip hinges, bridges and side planks help keep the muscles that support your spine ready for the occasional heavy shovelling day.
A Note from Your Chiropractor
Most winter back injuries I see happen on the second or third driveway, or the last few scoops, once fatigue has set in. Pace yourself, share the work if you can, and stop before your back tells you to.
Dr. Gurjyot Kailey, Chiropractor, Revive Rehab Langley Willoughby
Reference Sources: Information on chiropractic practice in British Columbia is drawn from the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) and the British Columbia Chiropractic Association.
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