Preventing Snow Shoveling Injuries
Thursday November 17, 2005
According to The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, snow shoveling and snow blowing can increase injuries to the back, shoulders and wrists. The improper use of equipment combined with performing unfamiliar exercises increases the likelihood of injuries form shoveling or snow bower use. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following safety tips for shoveling and snow blower use
Comments
This is the solution to back injuries caused by shoveling.
attach a strap, to the base of any shovel (the point of greatest leverage) you can lift material using the strap while standing up straight. This will eliminate the strain on your back because you are not bent over; you use your arm and lift with the strap. You keep your back up straight at all times, preventing muscle strains, sprain and spinal injuries.
It is the simplest thing, no one ever thought of and it really works. Sigittal, rotational and frontal strain is reduced to virtually nothing, because your back is always up straight, where it belongs. Just by using a simple strap, instead of bending.
In fact, you can literally catapult material because of the leverage you get with the strap, using no more effort then it takes to flex the bicep and still virtually no strain on your back, because your standing up straight, at all times.
Short or tall – left handed or right, it does not matter; grab the strap with your favorite hand. Locate your grip on the strap so the scoop of the shovel is at the material height, then scoop the material and lift with your arm. Your back stays up straight, through the entire movement. There is no twisting or bending your back, so there is minimal threat of injury to your back.
It is easier on your heart, because bending at the knees is a tough workout.
This is called the “shovel strap”. ShovelStrap.net – will be on line 10/24/06
No one must ever shovel without a shovel strap, again.
I need your help to introduce this simple concept to the teaching segment, so they can introduce it to the public and end shoveling injuries to the back muscles and/or spine, totally and forever.
Thank You, Sincerely
Robert R LaChance
Student of all Sciences’
Shovelstrap.net
1 207 636 3022
familyman@psouth.net
this is one great idea
I tried it and though it took some getting use to I will never shovel without one again, no one should.
thank you Robert
Ron Sugarman