The Door Peninsula is seeing its share of snow this winter and that means driveways and sidewalks need to be cleared more often.
For those who wield a shovel for the job, the task can translate into aches and pains, especially if the shoveling isn't done properly.
Dr. Levi Arnold of Peninsula Chiropractic Center says when shoveling it's important to bend at the knees and at the waist instead of bending your back.
Dr. Arnold says using a longer shovel can make it easier to do less arching of the back. And if the snow is light a broom can work just as well as a shovel.
Another key, according to Arnold, is taking your time.
And take emotion out of the equation.
Arnold says injuries from snow shoveling can run the gamut from sore backs and sore necks to pain in the hands. He says their treatment focuses on correcting the nervous system.
"What we do is evaluate in the spine where that problem is, that dysfunction is, we adjust it, and then usually within 24 hours or so (and) a little bit of ice application we see pretty good results -- unless it keeps snowing and people go out the next day and have to keep shoveling."
Arnold says if people are pressed for time to "do the least to do the most," clearing just enough snow to get their vehicles out until they can finish the job later.
