The Winter Weather is Here: Are you Shoveling Snow Properly?

Today in central Connecticut we had 6-10 inches of snow. We have a very long steep driveway, that needs to get shoveled by hand. Once in a while, our awesome neighbor will come and use his 4 wheeler with a plow hook up to plow our driveway, but we do have to shovel a few times during the winter season. Here are some tips to keep safe this season:

• Bend with the knees, not the back. When you go to pick up or move the snow, bend your knees. You may have to think about this the first few times, but your body will get used to.
  
• Brace shove handle against thigh to lift snow
  
  
• Use a good shovel with a with a bend in the handle. This allows you to stand up straighter as you push for less back strain.
  
  
• With heavy and wet snow lift smaller amounts of snow. Don’t try to push too much snow either, you can injure yourself just like if you tried to lift too much
  
  
• Do some gentle lower back stretches before you start to warm up and loosen up your muscles. Flex forward, extend back, laterally bend right, laterally bend left and hold each stretch for 10-15 seconds.
  
  
• Dress in layers and make sure you try to stay as warm as possible. It is very important to wear a hat, gloves, a scarf, and double socks. If you get cold, you muscles will tighten and you can more easily get injured when cold
  
  
• Wear a support belt if you suffer from back pain. Wearing a lumbosacral belt when you shovel will help you protect your lower back muscles. Here is a great article about how to wear a lumbar support belt: How to Properly wear a lumbar Support Belt for Moderate- Severe Lower back pain
  
  
• Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help
  
  
• Don’t be too cheap to get the driveway plowed- a back injury is not worth it if you have a back condition
  
  
• This applies to using a snow blower as well- let the plow do the work, do not try to push too much snow or move the snow blower to often with out using the motor
  
  
• If you know there is 6-10 inches coming, do some shoveling at the 2” mark and then again when the storms over. As snow sits it can get heavier, making it more likely that you may injure yourself. Fresh snow is lighter and much easier to handle. It is safest to shovel snow early, rather than waiting until the snow stops falling. If you wait, the snow may pack down to create an icy lower layer that is hard to scrape away. So shovel twice when the snow is 2 inches deep rather than waiting to struggle with the ultimate 6 or 8 inches.
  
  
• Take breaks frequently. This is no marathon against your neighbor. Your neighbor may have a 4 wheeler with a plow hook-up and you may just have your lonely snow shovel- its best to be as safe as possible.
  
  
  Shoveling snow in the New England area is inevitable during the Winter Season. We don’t like to do it, but we will because we have to drive out of the driveway and get on with our life. But snow shoveling doesn’t have to be painful and put you on the couch for a few days. Dress warm, rest frequently and keep an eye on the snow accumulation – and you will be safe this winter season.
  
  
  Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.
  
  
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Introducing Arc4life’s NEW Lumbar Back Rest with Ice Pack Built Right in

Trying to drive or do office work with lower back pain can be very difficult. Just trying to get into a comfortable position can be impossible.

Today I want to talk about a new lumbar cushion that is great for the car with some added benefit. This lumbar support cushion will not only support your lumbar spine but it can give you the therapeutic effect of ice or heat.

Its called the Sit Back Rest Plus- Arc4life has carried the Sit back rest for many years and time and time again our customers have agreed that it is a great lumbar support cushion. The new SitBackRest PLUS now offers therapeutic benefits- A 6 x 10 hot or cold pack that can be easily fastened via a hook-and-loop closureto the lumbar cushion. The hot and cold pack helps ease low back pain from flare-ups and day-to-day discomforts such as sitting for prolonged periods of time. Use heat for sore and muscle spasms in the lower back or chronic low back pain. If you recently have suffered from acute lower back pain after a trauma or accident to the lower back, use a cold pack to decrease swelling and inflammation and decrease the pain sensation.

The hot and cold pack on this backrest helps ease back pain from flare-ups and day-to-day discomforts such as sitting for prolonged periods of time. This lumbar cushion is shaped to fit snugly against bucketseats to maximize comfort and support while driving. The hot/cold pack is covered by a soft fabric. Hence you can easily apply directly to your skin without using a towel. To use the Hot Pack, microwave for 30 sections- kneading after to distribute the heat. To use as a cold pack, store in the freezer for a few hours, preferably over night.

Dimensions of the Sit Back Rest: 13" x 14" (33cm x 36cm). – Made of Precision Cut Foam with a Durable Fabric Cover

Dimensions of the Hot/Cold Pack: 6" x 10" (15.24 cm x 25.4 cm).
On Sale at Arc4life.com: SitBackRest PLUS- The SitBack Rest PLUS a 6x10 Ice/Hot Pack

Photo Courtesy of: Arc4life.com

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.

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