The long-term snow removal process can be a strain on your body as repeated actions like squeezing the snow around is difficult to your back. This causes weaker muscles to take on more strain and also over stretch the ligaments of your spine, which can cause lower back tension or pain.
The majority of back discomfort improves slowly over some weeks following self-care and home treatments. Rest, applying heat and stretching are known to alleviate the majority of back discomfort. A physical therapist can help you with healthful back exercises that could involve stretching and strengthening your core. Avoid any activities that could strain your back further, like carrying large loads of wood or turning to throw snow or any other high-impact activity like snowboarding or skiing.
At times, back discomfort can become severe and persistent and may extend into the hips and legs. The reason for this is it being caused by the narrowing or restriction of pathways through where nerves exit the spine. The narrowing, or pinching, can result in inflammation of the spinal nerves, resulting in discomfort and, sometimes, sciatica (radiating discomfort that radiates through one or both legs and radiating down the back).
Many conditions can contribute to this narrowing such as degenerative or herniated discs, “slipped” vertebrae, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) and joint cysts, bone spurs or the thickening of ligaments in the spine because of spinal arthritis. Despite the difficulty of these ailments, the discomfort does not need to last forever, and many patients can recover without surgery.
Patients suffering from acute (non-chronic) discomfort due to these ailments have been proven to gain from epidural steroid injections (ESI) that is a non-invasive and minimally invasive procedure that is able to aid in relieving discomfort caused by inflamed spinal nerves. Epidural steroid injections have long been employed for many years and are considered to be an essential component of the non-surgical treatment of sciatica as well as lower back pain.
The objectives that an epidural steroid injection aim to manage pain by reducing inflammationand improve mobility and performance in the lower back and legs, and enable the patient to progress through a customized treatment program. This could comprise a full physical rehabilitation and therapy plan, chiropractic care, acupuncture or other medications.
The relief may last for months, alleviating discomfort enough that patients are able to keep a program of physical therapy as well as other treatments that help aid in healing. Steroid injections for epidural pain are typically repeated when the treatment is successful.
While it’s not necessary snow removal is not a must, it can contribute to a variety of aches and discomforts. If it’s related to your back Manage your pain by making adjustments and taking care of yourself and, if you require assistance, consult your healthcare provider regarding non-surgical solutions to treat back discomfort.
Dr. Greg Burkard Jr. is an interventional sports medicine and physician with Tahoe Orthopedics as well as Sports Medicine who treat clients at Barton’s Center for Orthopedics & Wellness in South Lake Tahoe, and in Carson City, NV. To learn more, call 530-543-5554 or visit BartonOrthopedicsAndWellness.com
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Gregory Burkard
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