A Guide to Managing Back Pain from Shoveling Snow

It was a refreshing sight to see snow again this January. However, although it’s beautiful to look at, snowfall also creates the difficult task of shoveling, which is a frequent cause of back injuries this time of year. Many patients are unaware of the potential risks associated with improper techniques, leading to back pain from shoveling snow. At AOSMI, we believe in educating our patients so that you are armed with more knowledge, which can help us work together to provide the best care possible. We have a dedicated team of orthopedic specialists to help treat the full range of back injuries that you may experience after shoveling snow. 

 

Why Does Shoveling Snow Cause Back Pain?

 

Back pain from snow shoveling often results from improper technique and the repetitive strain of lifting heavy snow.

 

What are the Types of Back Injuries? 

 

Herniated Discs – Improper lifting can exert excessive force on the spine, leading to herniated discs. This occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc protrudes through the tough outer layer, potentially compressing nerves.

Muscle Strains – Lifting heavy snow improperly can strain the muscles of the back, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Ligament Strains – Twisting motions during snow shoveling can cause sprains in the ligaments supporting the spine, contributing to pain and instability.

What are the Common Symptoms of Back Pain from Shoveling Snow? 

 

Localized Pain – Patients may experience localized pain in the lower back, ranging from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain.

Radiating Pain – In cases of disc herniation, pain may radiate down the legs, accompanied by tingling or numbness, a condition known as sciatica.

 

What are the Treatment Options for Back Pain from Shoveling Snow?

 

Non-surgical Options – Rest, Ice, and Physical Therapy

  • Most back injuries from shoveling snow are mild. They may initially be managed with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications 
  • If you’ve experienced a back injury from snow shoveling or are concerned about the strain it may cause, our physical therapists are your allies in learning the right shoveling techniques and strengthening the key muscles involved. Tailoring exercises to your needs, they focus on core, back, and leg muscles crucial for shoveling. Our experts will guide you in adopting proper body mechanics, offering insights into lifting techniques and correcting posture to prevent further injuries. 

 

Surgical Options – Discectomy, Spinal Fusion, or Laminectomy

  • For more serious injuries, surgery may be recommended. Procedures such as discectomy (removing a portion of a herniated disc), spinal fusion (joining two or more vertebrae), or laminectomy (removing a portion of the vertebra) may be recommended based on the specific nature of the injury.

Proper Technique for Shoveling Snow

  • Start by using a lightweight, ergonomic shovel and maintaining a shoulder-width stance. 
  • Bend at the hips and knees instead of the back, keeping the shovel close to your body. 
  • Engage your core muscles and pivot your entire body when tossing snow, rather than twisting at the waist. 
  • Lift with your legs, not your back, and take regular breaks to avoid overexertion.
  • Pushing snow whenever possible is less strenuous than lifting. 
  • By incorporating these techniques, you can minimize the strain on your back and reduce the risk of injuries during snow removal.

 

By addressing the specific back injuries from snow shoveling, we aim to equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the season safely. At AOSMI, our team is committed to providing the highest quality orthopedic and physical therapy care to our patients across New Jersey. If you are experiencing pain or injury from snow shoveling, please request an appointment today. We are dedicated to helping you live a healthier, stronger life.

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Intracept Procedure for Chronic Low Back Pain

At AOSMI, we are committed to staying on the cutting-edge of pain medicine so that we can provide the best treatment options for our patients. One of the recent developments in the field is the Intracept Procedure, offered by Dr. Del Guercio for patients, a minimally invasive pain management procedure that has been found to help patients with chronic low back pain. This innovative treatment targets vertebrogenic pain, caused by disc degeneration and wear-and-tear damage to the vertebral endplates of your spine, which triggers inflammation and discomfort.

Here’s how it works: the procedure focuses on the basivertebral nerve (BVN) within your spine, which transmits pain signals from inflamed endplates to your brain. Intracept applies radiofrequency energy directly to this nerve using a probe, disrupting pain signal transmission. This straightforward outpatient procedure is implant-free, takes just an hour, and provides enduring relief.

What is Vertebrogenic Pain?

Vertebrogenic pain occurs when the endplates of your vertebrae get damaged. Imagine your spine as a stack of building blocks called vertebrae, and in between them, you have these cushion-like disks. The endplates are like the connectors between the blocks and the cushions. They do two important things: first, they help spread out the pressure from the cushions to keep everything safe. Second, they send nutrients to these cushions, like how blood vessels bring food to your cells.

Inside the bone of the vertebra is a network of  blood vessels and  pain detectors connected to a nerve called the basivertebral nerve. So, when those endplates get damaged, it can activate those pain detectors, which is what causes vertebrogenic pain

Wondering if Intracept is right for you? Ideal candidates typically have:

  • Chronic Low Back Pain with Modic Changes: At least six months of persistent low back pain associated with Modic changes. Modic changes are bone marrow lesions seen within a vertebral body of your spine on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Your doctor will identify candidates with a thorough history and physical exam, as well as with imaging techniques such as MRI or CT of the lumbar spine.
  • Failed Conservative Treatments: Prior unsuccessful attempts with therapies like physical therapy, medications, and injections.
  • No Major Spinal Instability: Generally not recommended for those with severe spinal instability or conditions like spondylolisthesis.

The Intracept Procedure offers numerous benefits:

  • Effective and Targeted Pain Relief: Precisely targets the pain source, often leading to significant pain reduction.
  • Long-Lasting Results: Many patients report lasting pain relief well beyond the procedure. Studies have shown that 1-year post treatment, 69% of patients reported >50% reduction in pain while 38% reported being pain-free. Studies have also shown that 2-years and 5-years post-treatment, 33% of patients have reported being pain-free.
  • Minimally Invasive: Requires only a small incision, reducing post-operative pain and complications.
  • Preservation of Spinal Stability: Maintains spine stability.
  • Improved Quality of Life: Empowers individuals to regain mobility and enjoy life.

 

To learn more, check out this video explanation from Dr. Del Guercio.

If you are experiencing chronic low back pain, and have not found significant improvement in pain from your standard treatment, please request an appointment today to discuss if the Intracept Procedure may be right for you. Here at AOSMI, our goal is to help you bring your pain under your control, so that you can live your healthiest and strongest life.

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Laminectomy Performed By Dr. Grigory Goldberg

Dr. Grigory Goldberg removed the lamina, the back part of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal, to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Dr. Grigory Goldberg is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in spine surgery at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute.

Learn more about Dr. Goldberg, see more of Dr. Goldberg’s testimonials.

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