Shoveling Snow and Back Pain

People shoveling snow...its happening all across the country this time of year...

Do you know what happens to a lot of people after shoveling snow?

Their back aches.

Their neck aches.

Their arms and legs ache.

Why?

Combining the one sided motion of shoveling show with repeated lifting of the snow and dehydration is the "perfect storm" for aches and pains in the body.  I have seen some of my neighbors outside for over an hour shoveling 5 or 6 inches of snow, and I don't see them drinking any water to rehydrate as they are using the muscles of their back and body on overtime.

All of the hard work clearing your driveway often stresses the body to the point where vertebrae (the bones in your back) are pulled out of alignment.  This misalignment can cause pain right away, and sometimes for days or weeks afterwards. 

I ask every patient that I see shortly after a snowstorm if they have been shoveling snow.  In almost all cases, I have noticed that their spine is torqued and twisted and the muscles of the hips, low back, and shoulders are extra tight.

They need a good adjustment after all of that bending and twisting!

Bending and twisting at the same time puts excessive pressure on the discs between the bones in your spine.  This excessive pressure often sets people up for a disc irration, bulge or in the worst cases...a disc herniation. 

OUCH!

Keep in mind that most people are not thinking about whether they are holding the shovel properly or twisting their back harder while they are digging out of a pile of snow.  They want to get it done...and get it done fast!

If you have been shoveling snow, make sure you follow up with your Chiropractor to realign your spine and joints.

If you don't have a Chiropractor, find one!  A long term relationship with a great Chiropractor can drastically improve your health and quality of life, potentially saving you from more costly health care down the road.

For more information or to get your questions answered, please call me at 816-256-3603.

Dr. Kristine Baker

Woman Falls on Ice: Kansas City Chiropractor Helps Realign the Spine

A woman I know slipped on the ice a week ago and yesterday she was having pains shoot in her hips and down her legs.  She had never been to a Chiropractor before, and emailed me asking me if a Chiropractor should be her next step in regaining her health.

 YES! YES! YES!

When someone falls, they jar their entire body.  The impact can misalign their hips, back, shoulders, neck, arms, forearms, ankles...and more!  Chiropractic care is used by professional athletes after an injury to get back to work, so why not you?

How does Chiropractic help my body after a fall?

Falling or even slipping without actually hitting the ground can misalign joints all over the body.  Over time if this misalignment is not corrected, you may experience pain, numbness, burning, tingling, swelling, and more.  If this isn't addressed for years, a person may be diagnosed with a bulging or herniated spinal disc, or even arthritis in the joints that took the hardest hit.

 Chiropractors are experts that are trained in DETECTING and CORRECTING these minor misalignments of the body.  Keep in mind that just because these are called minor misalignments, know that many times they cause MAJOR problems if left untreated!

Think about what happens to your car after you go over a really deep pothole...some car owners not only have to get an alignment of their car, but in the worst cases have to buy a brand new TIRE!  If your car is pulling to the left, you would get an alignment, right?  Why?  Because you don't want to be forced to buy new tires after they have worn unevenly.

 You can buy new tires!  You cannot buy a new back!  Get yourself adjusted as soon as possible after a fall or slip to get your body back in proper alignment.

 Call me at 816-256-3603 to get your spine realigned!

Dr. Kristine Baker