QUINCY, ILL. -- It's an exercise you get to do a couple times a year, and if you don't do it properly, it won't bode well for your back. Shoveling snow sends people to the emergency room each year.
Chiropractor Justin Felsman said one of the reasons people get injured shoveling or picking up bags for salting is because they are not conditioned.
"They are deconditioned, and they think they are strong enough to go out there and shovel the snow and the next thing you know is they are out there and injured because they haven't gotten the muscles properly strong enough to go out there and do what they need to do," Felsman said.
When shoveling your driveway, Felsman said to make sure you lift with your knees and not with your back to avoid injuries.
Scott Hough is an emergency room doctor at Blessing Hospital. Hough said it is important to take breaks if you start to notice these certain symptoms: discomfort in their chest, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
"That's a sign that you need to stop the activity you're doing, and sit down and rest," Hough said.
"Make sure you take frequent breaks, because it is also important especially if you aren't conditioned, you haven't been working out and those muscles are weak. You go out there and try to do too much and next thing you know, you're in seeing me," Felsman said.
Felsman stresses the importance of wearing the proper attire when shoveling to avoid frostbite.
Doctor Huff also says it's important to have Carbon Monoxide detectors in your home. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include drowsiness and shortness of breath.
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