Deborah Prescott | Daily Press A homeowner in Cornell chops ice from a bank of snow recently. OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital Services and Medical Group Physical Therapist, Manager of Rehabilitation Heather Sheski, advises people to dress appropriately and wear anti-slip footwear while doing any outdoor winter work. Approximately 20% of injuries while shoveling are due to slipping and falling on a slick surface. Sheski also suggests to warm up muscles before shoveling to help prevent aches and pains later.

ESCANABA — A Yoopers’ work is never done, especially during the winter months. Removing snow and ice that cover homes, sidewalks and vehicles is a task the majority of Yoopers face. The extra work can cause serious injuries if snowblowing or shoveling are not done properly.

OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital Services and Medical Group Physical Therapist, Manager of Rehabilitation Heather Sheski, has seen the end result of people improperly pulling the snow off the roof of a home, snowblowing, or slipping on ice.

“Some of the most common injuries with these activities are stiffness or decreased range of motion in the areas where there has been pain, in the back, shoulder, or arm. It is easy to pull or strain muscles from falling, or slipping during icy conditions,” said Sheski.

There are ways to alleviate the aches and pains of moving snow and ice before they happen, says Sheski. Warm up, as you would before exercising, and prime your heart and muscles. Wear footwear that prevents slipping and falling. Pace yourself and take frequent breaks while moving snow.

“Avoid shoveling for extended periods of time to prevent overuse injuries,” said Sheski. “Avoid shoveling too much snow at once, causing overexertion.”

When shoveling, always squat and lift the shovel first with your legs and then arms to move snow, not with your back. Instead of using a shovel, try a snow scoop. Instead of lifting and throwing snow, a person can use a snow scoop to move snow to where they want it to go by pushing the scoop.

“It is much easier on your back to push snow rather than lift it,” Sheski said.

A report Sheski referenced from the U.S. National Library of Medicine reported approximately 11,500 people sought out medical attention due to injury while shoveling during the study.

Statistics in the 17 year study showed approximately 67.5% of the incidents occurred among males, over 10% occurred to children younger than 18, and 21.8% of the incidents reported were by adults 55 years of age and older.

The most common diagnosis was soft tissue injury, 54.7%, and injuries to the back, 34.3%. Musculoskeletal exertion made up 53.9%, slips and falls 20%, and being struck by a snow shovel made up 15% of the diagnoses. Cardiac related emergency department visits accounted for 6.7% of the cases. Out of the emergency department visits, 5.8% of the cases required hospitalization.

“Most of the incidents occurred around the home,” noted Sheski.